Broadening Horizons: Five Midshipmen Study Abroad in Singapore

From the USNA International Programs Office

Through the Naval Academy’s International Programs Office and STEM Study Abroad program, five midshipmen traveled to Singapore to spend the spring semester studying at Nanyang Technological University. The purpose of sending midshipmen abroad is to enhance the global knowledge of our country’s future leaders.

Midshipmen 1st Class Alexander Couch, Chris Evans, Lucy Ford, Miki Szabo, and Billy Walker spent four months immersing themselves in the Singaporean culture. While studying in STEM fields, they also worked on language studies. Though there are four official languages in Singapore, each midshipman took the opportunity to study Mandarin Chinese.

 Each midshipmen also produced a portfolio focusing on a unique topic within the culture, such as food or environmental awareness.

“The opportunity to go abroad has expanded my worldview and has created a desire to continue traveling,” said Couch.

Additionally, three of the midshipmen participated in a military exchange with Singapore for the first time in Naval Academy history. Couch, Evans, and Szabo were part of a military exchange with the Singapore Armed Forces, during which they visited the Changi Naval Base and worked with Singaporean midshipmen.

As part of this exchange, three Singaporean midshipmen are attending the U.S. Naval Academy for the fall 2016 semester.

On an educational level, these exchange agreements are vital to the development of young naval officers. The exchanges provide interaction and insight into another culture and its military. Professional relationships are started that benefit these young officers throughout their entire careers. For example, Teo Yu Run, a Singaporean midshipman, will be rooming with Szabo during the fall semester at the academy. The two midshipmen met while Szabo was on his exchange in Singapore the previous semester.

On a more strategic level, the exchange agreements are important because they help to further our naval force’s working relationship with one of its allies.

The three midshipmen on military exchange were fortunate enough to spend a day engaging with Singapore’s Navy at their east coast port, Changi Naval Base. They met the U.S. naval attaché to Singapore and received a personal tour of the base’s naval museum and port.

According to the midshipmen, the highlight of their tour was meeting the cadets at Singapore’s Officer Candidate School. There was a question and answer session where the midshipmen learned about the cadets’ training and Singapore’s military conscription. The cadets also asked about the Naval Academy, at which point the midshipmen had to debunk all the myths from the movie Annapolis. The mids ended the day by joining the cadets’ physical training session, which after two sets of exercises, quickly devolved into a game of basketball. It was apparent that even a world apart, the midshipmen and cadets were more similar than different.

“The semester definitely improved my independence and comfort with new people and situations,” said Evans.

Nanyang Technological University was able to offer a variety of athletics.  From casual pick-up games with locals to intense intramural rivalries, the university was a hotbed for sports. Evans and Walker were active participants on the school’s track and field team. The two Navy runners could be found working out with the team on the track every Wednesday.

Ford spent most of her time with the university running club, pursuing her goals in the various road races Singapore had to offer, while Couch frequented the soccer field where he would join intense pick-up soccer games.

In addition to the weekly workouts, several of the midshipman had the opportunity to show off their skills in an intramural road race relay. Walker, Evans, and Ford all ran for their respective halls in the relay race.

With help from the university staff and the amazing exchange student body, the midshipmen experienced all areas of Singaporean culture. They immersed themselves in everything from exotic cuisines to the local nightlife.

“Living in Singapore exposed me to so many different cultures and ways of life that were all beneficial to my leadership development,” said Ford.

In Singapore, the mids had the opportunity to visit neighboring island Palau Ubin and interact with its native monkeys, wild boars, and water monitors. They celebrated the year of the monkey at the annual Chinese New Year festival. The midshipmen explored Singapore’s rich history with Malaysia by eating at a Hawker Stand in the Little Malay neighborhood. And they were even fortunate to spend a night at Singapore’s iconic Marina Bay Sands hotel and rooftop infinity pool.

For their Spring Break trip, the midshipmen chose to travel through Vietnam. Starting in Ho Chi Minh City, they began a two week adventure north through Hoi An and Hanoi. While in Ho Chi Minh, they took a trip to the Cu Chi Tunnels where they learned about the Viet Cong and were even allowed to crawl through a segment of the tunnels. In Hoi An, they experienced what the city has been made famous for when they shopped for hand-made clothing like suits and dresses.

In the final city they visited, Hanoi, the midshipmen were most interested by their visit to the notorious Hanoi Hilton. For what was the most exotic meal of their semester, they killed and ate a mountain cobra. The snake’s blood was served as a beverage while the body was prepared in array of colorful dishes. The trip was an incredible learning experience, especially because of the insight it offered into Vietnam War.

“My experience in Singapore has given me such an incredible foundation for growth both in my professional career and in my personal pursuit of knowledge and adventure,” said Szabo.

“At the end of the trip, I almost didn’t have time to pack because I wanted to squeeze in a few more cultural activities,” said Walker.

Studying in Singapore provided these midshipmen with skills that will assist them throughout the rest of their lives.

Exploring Kazakhstan: A Semester Abroad in Almaty

Midshipman 2nd Class Ian Best writes about his experiences during a semester spent studying abroad in Kazakhstan. 

As the ninth largest country in the world with a population slightly over 17 million, Kazakhstan plays an important role in the world. From a historical perspective, this central Asian country has formed the geological and cultural bridge between Europe and Asia for centuries. Traders on the Silk Road in Kazakhstan exchanged beliefs, information, and practices between these two continents.

Today, Kazakhstan continues to serve as a bridge between many countries and has an expanded influence on international politics. Of additional importance, Kazakhstani culture shares many similarities with that of the Russian tradition, including the widespread use of the Russian language.

The Naval Academy provided me the unique opportunity to spend the spring semester of the 2016 academic year in Almaty, the former capital of Kazakhstan and its current largest city. Abroad, I balanced my studies with practical experience in an effort to both appreciate the cultural and political significance of Kazakhstan and to improve my Russian language abilities.

Photo courtesy of MIDN 2/C Ian Best

In Almaty, I attended classes at Kazakhstan National University in the International Relations Department through the American Councils Study Abroad Program. I studied Russian four days a week with Kazakh professors. They focused on phonetics, grammar, reading, and writing. Each day presented a new challenge: sometime my fellow classmates and I would present Russian articles and stories we had read, other times we would discuss new vocabulary and grammar.

My personal favorite topic was Russian idioms. Russian language is extremely rich; it is filled with sayings and expressions with fascinating historical contexts. I did my best to learn as many different idioms as I could so as to better understand the underlying Russian cultural significance and be able to converse more colloquially with the locals.

On Fridays, the American students studied Kazakh language, history, and politics. This was a particularly interesting opportunity for my classmates and me, as Kazakh is a Turkish-based language and shares very few similarities with Russian. We also learned in this class the important role Kazakhstan plays as a key nation in Central Asia and how it balances its many competing foreign influences.

Photo courtesy of MIDN 2/C Ian Best

But I did more than schoolwork. I often took advantage of the spectacular neighboring mountains by skiing or hiking through the foothills. West Point cadets Joseph Woolfork and Tyler Payne and I organized several trips with local tour guides. One trip, for example, found us summiting a mountain. On another, we hiked to a remote point in the hills to visit a century-old yet still functioning monastery.

Other excursions were directly sponsored by American Councils. Once a week, we would visit a site of cultural and often historical significance, ranging from museums to parks to falconry demonstrations. Toward the end of the semester, we traveled to Northern Kazakhstan to visit the cities of Karaganda, Pavlodar, and most importantly the capital Astana.

Each excursion provided excellent opportunities to practice Russian language and gain a better appreciation of Kazakhstan. I enjoyed applying the language skills I was learning in class to real-world situations. I could simultaneously expand my vocabulary and gain a deeper appreciation for this incredible country.

Photo courtesy of MIDN 2/C Ian Best

Not every midshipman is afforded the opportunity to directly experience another country for an entire semester. I will never forget my time abroad and will remain forever grateful to the staff members of the International Programs Office at USNA.

Not only will I fondly remember the incredible people I met overseas and the amazing adventures I had, but I will also apply the cultural and lingual experience I gained in my future career as a naval officer. I hope to bridge cultural gaps during my military career and ultimately bring diverging cultures into closer understanding to strengthen international partnerships.

Midshipmen Share Adventures From Semester in Turkey

The city of Istanbul, Turkey, brings to mind images of flowing Ottoman clothing, mosques and bazaars, or perhaps even a fez. As a bustling city of 19 million people however, Istanbul is in many respects similar to any other modern city. Since it is uniquely located on both the European and Asian continents, Istanbul is a dynamic place where there is a confluence of Eastern and Western culture. Midshipmen 2nd Class Molly Chandler, Joe Chilbert, Venus Molony, Megan Musilli, Bobby Nolan, Will Parker, and Charisse Villareal all had the opportunity to spend the semester studying at Koç (pronounced “coach”) University in Istanbul.

One of the aspects of the culture that the midshipmen quickly learned to appreciate is what they dubbed “Turkish time.” In Turkey, being punctual is not valued nearly as much as in America. Instead, people have a laid back attitude and are more concerned with spending quality time building relationships than sticking to a schedule.

The Turkish people proved to be very hospitable and welcoming to the midshipmen. The Turkish students in particular were always more than happy to speak and befriend the exchange students. Consequently, many close friendships developed. The Turkish students’ general philosophy of living in the moment created many interesting adventures, such as spontaneous Friday morning trips to the Grand Bazaar.

For three of the midshipmen, the end of the school day didn’t mean going back to the dorm to relax and do homework; it meant sitting on public transportation for an hour to go home to their host family. For Parker, the fresh, home-cooked meals that his host mother cooked each night made the commute well worth it. For Villareal, the best part was trying to communicate with her 10-year-old Turkish host sister who did not know any English. After a few weeks of broken, awkward interaction, she finally got her sister to laugh and have fun through learning how to play the ukulele and computer games. Getting to go home to a Turkish family each night not only provided delicious food and friendships that will last a lifetime, but also really helped with improving Turkish language skills and gave insight into the Turkish family dynamic.

This family dynamic was not always strictly Turkish, but definitely rewarding and showed Istanbul’s mix of cultures. Molony had the opportunity of practicing both her French and Turkish with her host family because her host mother, Dilek, grew up in France and her host brothers went to French schools.

For all of the midshipmen, going to Koç provided the opportunity to interact with students from a number of countries other than Turkey. Other exchange students came from, Germany, France, Australia, Mexico, Pakistan, Italy, Netherlands, Denmark, Portugal, South Korea, UK, Canada, Lebanon, and China. The international dynamic proved to be one of the best parts about Koç and often the midshipmen would spend their weekends with students of varying nationalities.

As soon as the weekend came, the mids were no longer to be seen on campus, instead they were out either exploring Istanbul or some of Turkey’s most famous places. Chilbert, Villareal, Molony, and Parker all went on an inexpensive cruise over the four day Bayram weekend. They boarded the boat in Fethiye, and went along the Mediterranean coast, exploring ruins, snorkeling with fish and around coral, as well as eating delicious Turkish cuisine the entire time. On the second day of the cruise, they pulled into St. Nicholas Island, where Santa Claus was born. The group spent the afternoon exploring the island that was littered with ruins dating back to the 4th century A.D. At this same time, Chandler and Musilli explored the Mediterranean town of Bodrum and the ancient ruins of Ephesus. On another trip to Trabzon, a region located on the Black Sea near the country of Georgia, the midshipmen had the opportunity to witness some of Turkey’s natural beauty.

Amidst all the exploring, one theme that could be readily attributed to Istanbul and the country of Turkey as a whole was hospitality. Not only are locals gracious to exchange students and tourists, but they also often go very out of their way to ensure these men and women are able to enjoy their stay and explore their beloved country. In one example of this hospitality, Molony, Nolan, and Chilbert visited Edirne, a Turkish city located west of Istanbul, and a city well known for its incredible displays of mosques as well as a unique museum that covered the development of medicine in this part of Turkey. Because this was one of their first trips, finding their way to each site was difficult until two boys asked if they could help.

"These two boys brought us to every mosque, every site that we asked them to see," said Nolan. "At the end of the night, as we invited the two to join us for dinner. Throughout dinner they laughed as we attempted to order in Turkish, and they yet again made sure we were taken care of."

At the end of the night, the young men took the mids to the bus stop and wished them a safe trip home.

"Never once did they ask for anything from us," said Nolan. "They simply enjoyed both meeting us and helping to give us just a small view of an incredibly unique and beautiful country.”

When the midshipmen first chose to study abroad in Istanbul, they knew that they were going to have a good time and learn more about Turkey and themselves. What they did not expect was the extent to which they would learn about themselves and the humanity that unites us all. From living in a homestay to traveling across a new and dynamic country, they saw more and learned more than they thought possible. But it was in the small moments, the conversations in between classes or over dinner that the students really felt the true nature of Turkey shine through.

As future officers, it is imperative to understand that learning the nuances in different cultures is important. Part of being a better leader is developing a deeper, more worldly understanding and applying this understanding by participating in different cultures, learning new leadership tools from as many sources, and applying them as you go. This past semester, the midshipmen did just that by interacting and participating in an entirely new culture, expanding their knowledge of a new region, and by expanding themselves.

Seven Mids for Four Months in Morocco

Every semester as a midshipman is unique, but for the five 2/C and two 1/C abroad in Morocco this past fall that was especially so.  The main purpose of such travel is typically language acquisition, and while a great deal of study did go on, the cross-cultural exposure was significantly more challenging and educational.

The opportunity to study and use Arabic everyday while living in Morocco’s capital Rabat stretched everyone’s linguistic ability, but communication is much more than simply speech.  Through many incredible shared and individual experiences the semester abroad developed these future officers’ understanding of the North African people, language and culture.

This past semester abroad was MIDN 2/C Marc Prather’s first experience living in a foreign country. The exposure helped him gain insight into daily life in a Muslim country. Apart from mouthwatering food, breathtaking scenery and remarkable hospitality, Marc’s most memorable experience was Eid al-Adha, a Muslim holiday that involves the sacrifice of a sheep.

“Participating in Eid is something I will never forget,” he said. “Like any holiday, the day is spent with family and filled with many customs. Although the actual sacrifice was rather nauseating, I found the rest of the celebration fascinating. The most interesting part was witnessing such an important religious holiday for a different culture and learning about their traditions.”

Every day in Morocco was a new adventure and Marc believes the semester will prove to be an invaluable asset in his future academic studies and throughout his career.

A four day hike in late September proved an especially challenging and enjoyable experience for five of the midshipmen.

“My most memorable experience was trekking through the M'goun range in the Atlas Mountains,” said MIDN 2/C Zofia Stark. “We were so excited that not even having inadequate equipment could stop us from hiking the trail from beginning to finish.”

They feasted on MIDN 2/C Ethan Dalton's homemade oatmeal, ramen noodles with hot sauce, and pasta every day. On the second night of the trek, they were fortunate enough to stay at a refuge house at the base of the M'goun summit where they shared a berthing with fifteen German men and about ten Moroccan men. On the last part of the trail, they hiked through small Amazigh villages and were even able to hitchhike on top of a Mercedes minibus to their final destination.

Life in Rabat was full of many unique opportunities for each of the students there.  MIDN 2/C Elizabeth Warner’s best memories relate to her time riding horses in Dar Eslam. She was able to experience an aspect of Moroccan culture through her favorite activity: equestrian. She faced the challenge of taking a lesson in a mixture of French and Arabic as well as the challenge of different riding styles. At this barn, she made a Moroccan friend, Marouane, who connected her to the master boot maker for the Moroccan cavalry. She was able to purchase custom riding boots for a great price. The boots will forever serve as a reminder of the incredible time she had riding wonderful Moroccan ponies.

All of the midshipmen lived with host families in the old city of Rabat.  Its narrow alleys, open market, and busy gates were a movie-set like backdrop to their daily adventures.

MIDN 1/C Benjamin Demandante relates an interesting story:

“One night, I was lying in my bed unable to sleep due to the heat.  Just as I was dozing off, I heard loud, percussive music drifting up from the streets outside my house. Curious and restless, I decided to leave my hosts' house to investigate. I eventually found a group of musicians performing what I would later learn is called Gnawan music. A large crowd had gathered to watch them, and followed as they capered down the street. Finally, the crowd came to the outer wall of a home and the door was opened. I balked at the entrance, unsure if I was welcome or not. However, the crowd beckoned me in emphatically, speaking only darija (Moroccan Arabic) but with very welcoming gestures. So there I was, at one in the morning, in some strange family's home, watching Gnawan musicians perform for a celebration that I did not understand.”

It was an experience that will stay with Ben for a long time.

The midshipmen attended daily classes at the Institution for the International Education of Students (IES Abroad) in Rabat, but learning continued long after the school day was done.

“I learned more through interaction with Moroccans that I ever could in the classroom,” said MIDN 2/C Justice Constantine.

The midshipmen agree that their visit to the US Embassy in Rabat and visits with DOD personnel working there were particularly rewarding. They are very grateful to the Naval Attaché and Foreign Area Officers there who took the time to explain the work they do – jobs these midshipmen could one day hold.

“From attending events at the U.S. Embassy to surfing at the local break in Rabat, the experiences I had were unique and exciting to the location,” said MIDN 1/C Thomas Bond. “The Moroccan friends I made while abroad widened my perspective and understanding of life in the Middle East.”

The exposure to a new culture and people was the greatest reward of the midshipmen’s time in Morocco.  They had countless adventures, saw dozens of incredible places, and formed many special friendships.  This broadening of perspective will serve them well in careers as Naval or Marine Corps officers.

“The lessons learned in Morocco form a basis for cross-cultural relations and thoughtful leadership whether we serve at home in the U.S. or anywhere the Fleet might take us,” said MIDN 2/C Ethan Dalton.

Learning the Cultural Practices of South Korea

A semester in Korea left two midshipmen baffled in all the right ways. The following excerpts from the personal journals of Midshipmen 2/C Nate Mclauchlan and Ian Shaw highlight their four-month experience.

Hanboks are the traditional dress of Korea. The colorful gowns are still used for cultural events,
most notably the holiday of Chusok.

There was culture shock:

“I was warned about the extreme deference shown to elders here. I have read about it in many sources mentioning the deep Confucian values that prevail into contemporary times. But when I witnessed it first hand, I was at a loss. After a long day of a scavenger hunt all around Seoul, my group was on a subway ride back to the rendezvous point. Accompanying us were a couple of Seoul mates (Seoul natives who volunteer to help us foreigners enjoy our time here) who staffed the day’s activities. We were all abuzz, excitedly speaking of the day's happenings while also making plans for the night. Apparently it is good etiquette to be quiet in the subway, an older man let us know. From his seat (because elders sit before women) he violently waved a rolled up newspaper at one of the Koreans with us. Her reaction was silence and a gyration of movement which was intended to be a rapid series of bows. He went on waving and scolding her. She just took it. The criticism went on for a good two minutes. She apologized profusely and held her head down. All of us Americans quieted in awe. When I asked her later about it, she explained. I was angered. This man had the gall to embarrass a friend of mine and be so rude as to wave and point at her. But I was also frozen during the engagement. This was a culture shock.”

The Joint Security Area is the designated diplomatic location within the
Demilitarized Zone along the 38th parallel.

There was the Demilitarized Zone:

“From main center of Seoul to the southern side of the DMZ was an hour bus ride. Keeping in mind that 9.82 million of the 50.22 million South Koreans live in this spanning metropolis, the situation is just as perilous as that of Jerusalem and Palestine. In a conference room overlooking the DMZ and North Korea beyond, a ROK soldier told us not to worry, their missile interception system (he described it as similar to Israel’s Iron Dome) could shoot down anything the northerners sent our way. About an hour later, when speaking to a U.S. soldier attached to Camp Boniface (UNCOM), he pointed to the mountains a few miles north. 'See those? 80% of the North Korean artillery is just over that ridge, pointed right at Seoul. If they fired a consistent, max-capacity barrage for 8 minutes, Seoul would be flattened without sign of life.” Walking the streets of Seoul, one would never guess that desolation is only ever 8 minutes away. Subway stations are equipped with gas masks and sustenance supplies. So the people are not kept up at night, but the North is obviously a concern of officials running the city.”

There were Korean cadets:

“During a visit to the university track for a few laps, I was kept company by the drilling ROTC units on the infield. It is interesting to keep in mind that though these men volunteered to enter this program, they were required to serve anyway. When other male students cross the field and track as a sort of shortcut to the science building, they do not look at the uniformed men with curiosity but rather a chuckle or complete disregard. On a personal note, after a few laps one of the officers in charge threw me a smile and a thumbs up for my efforts. Quite possibly the most motivating experience since Plebe Summer Braveheart runs. Also, this was one of my first interactions with a foreign, allied military. Though small, I will not soon forget it.”

South Korea has 21 national parks in the country roughly the size of the state of Indiana.
The mountainous terrain is beautiful and littered with waterfalls.

There was the city seen from the mountains:

“Walking on the ridge along the old fortress wall, we reached our intended vista by 1200. The view was breathtaking, reminding me of the hike behind Yonsei campus earlier this semester. With snow on the ground and the wind howling in our ears, Seoul embodied a more arctic elvish city than it did in August, but Rivendell–esque nonetheless. The buildings sprawl, struggling for space as they challenge the littered mountains for land viability. Sprouting vertical at rapid pace and teeming with energy, Seoul appears to be a concrete chia pet watered by the dynamism of its citizenry.”

Immersion in the beautiful Republic of Korea was a professionally eye-opening and personally engaging experience. Midshipmenn 2/C Mclauchlan and Shaw are most grateful for their time spent on the peninsula and both hope to return in the future in and out of uniform.

Breaking Bread and Stereotypes at the French Naval Academy

In this post, Midshipmen 1st Class Jeffrey Pearson and Michael Tesluk write about their experiences studying abroad in France last semester.

When you hear that two Americans are going to spend a semester in a French military environment, immediately there are many stereotypes of both cultures that come to mind. Determined to keep an open mind and learn about our naval allies across the Atlantic, we traveled to Brittany, France, to see what the French are all about.

Leaving behind the USNA brigade of 4,500 midshipmen we met the roughly 200 French aspirants – or officers-in-training – with whom we would participate in academics, physical fitness, and professional development.

We soon found that the smaller class size lent itself to a strong sense of camaraderie and unit identity. After four months at “La Baille” – the equivalent of calling USNA “The Yard – we appreciated learning about the culture, improving language skills, and becoming a part of this tight-knit group of future naval officers.

We wore many hats during our time in France. During the day we were students in classes ranging from geopolitics to computer science. Some afternoons we were sailors and participated in sailboat, zodiac, or yard patrol craft exercises. A few times we played the role of French commandos during amphibious assault training evolutions. One week we were diplomats as we represented USNA at a large leadership conference for service academies in Paris.

Many times we donned the camera and backpack of a tourist and visited many different parts of France and numerous unique neighborhoods in Paris. But most culturally enriching were the times after the midshipman cover came off and the relaxed weekends spent with our French counterparts began.

Social opportunities were abundant and afforded us the opportunity to practice language skills and share culture. We learned that eating bread at meals was not just a nutritional aspect, but a crucial institution of the nation. Meals were always slow-paced and a time for conversation and storytelling.

Often French midshipmen would host parties at their houses off campus to celebrate birthdays or get together to watch a big rugby or soccer match. Overall the fun times, the social dynamic, and even the humor were very similar to that of midshipmen at USNA.

Understanding our French classmates was not just a challenge of cultural differences, but also a practical challenge in language comprehension. The first month or so was difficult for the American ear to adjust to the quick blur of French.

Additionally, French naval students and officers use a vast amount of jargon and slang terms that are definitely not taught in the French curriculum in America. After a lot of exposure to varying accents, tempos, and styles of speaking, we gradually became more comfortable in everyday conversation, class lectures, and interacting with people in town.

Overall this Spring 2014 semester was an enjoyable and educational experience for us. We made many rewarding personal and professional relationships that will carry into our naval careers. We exchanged many uniform items and sentimental mementos of the French and American cultures as souvenirs of our experience. And, we look forward using what we learned last Spring in working with our French naval allies in the future.