1)   Tell us a little bit about your life growing up. Do you consider yourself international?

 My dad is from Sicily and my mum is from the north of Spain. I was born in Switzerland but lived in Rome for most of my life. I moved to Chicago when I was 11 and stayed here for a year and then went back to Rome. When I was 15 we moved to Chicago for good. However, yes I do consider myself an international. I speak both Italian and Spanish besides English and feel really connected to both Italy and Spain because I only moved to the US recently and I have lifelong friends and family there whom I visit every year. I kind of live in a constant state of nostalgia, and think about my home there a lot.

2)   How was your first quarter at NU?

I really liked it! I met a lot of nice people and made friends right away! Even though the classes were pretty challenging, I found them to be rewarding at the end of the day! The best thing that happened to me in first quarter was getting into Stitch! I had heard about it from one of my friends from high school who also goes to Northwestern and I was thrilled to have gotten into the organization when I got to Northwestern!

3)   How is America different from home?

I feel the education system here is better established and that there are more opportunities here than back in Italy. America and Italy have very different cultures. I have had some great experiences in both places. But I would say that people here in school are more competitive and involved in lots of things. School back home was relatively less competitive I’d say. So the environment here is very stimulating!

4)   What do you think of Greek life in America?

If I compare it so social life of university students back in Europe to the social life of college students in America, the main difference comes from the laws of minimum drinking ages. In most of Europe it’s 18 or less, so that we could go to clubs and get to meet lots of new people. Here the drinking age being 21, kind of pushes college students towards being a part of sororities and fraternities. While it’s not for me and I have not joined a sorority, I think it’s definitely an important characteristic of an American college experience.

5)   What would you say is the difference between American and European fashion?

Firstly I feel Northwestern is a very well dressed campus. Even when it’s very cold people wear cute boots and pretty accessories. Also in general America has a more casual outlook of fashion and most people have very similar type of styles. Like it’s more about brands, everyone has Ugg boots and Marc Jacobs bag. In Europe, fashion is always changing.  Also there is a broader spectrum of individual styles. Different stores, like Zara for instance, cater to very different types of styles.

6)   If there was one thing you could bring back from home, what would it be and why?

It would be the food! Pasta, pizza and cheese. I grew up with great Italian food. We would have a 3-course meal. It would be pasta followed by fish ( or meat) and then fruit. It was good and healthy and made me happy. Food here is good too but I miss home food a lot. Once when I was in Madison my friend convinced me to try out mac&cheese on pizza. I went “ Pasta and Pizza just DON’T go together!”. In Chicago there is a good Italian pizzeria called Sapore Di Napoli. That has good pizza!

7)   Tell me one funny thing you noticed about Americans when you first got here? 

 They say I love you very easily! Like “love ya girl” to people they just met. I have to be honest and say that I’ve started doing that too!

8)   Any country you want to live in after here?

Paris! I stayed in Paris for a month doing a senior project my last year in high school. Everywhere I looked it was so beautiful! Definitely want to live there someday.

The word Bulgogi literally means “fire meat” in Korean. It refers to cooked marinated meat, applied old traditional grilling techniques using griddles over charcoal. In the modern day it can be cooked in a pan, and it still tastes great! The taste of Bulgogi all depends on how well it is marinated. It was was traditionally prepared especially for the wealthy and the nobility class.

In Korea, bulgogi is usually served with kimchi and with Ssam. Ssam refers to various green leaf vegetables which are used for wrapping pieces of meat into bite-size bundles, adding a little fermented soybean paste and maybe some rice. Koreans usually use lettuce for Ssam. Also, almost without exception, bulgogi is accompanied by Korea’s traditional dish of fermented vegetables, kimchi. Bulgogi also has many variations, and a lot of Korean households have their own recipe for marination. You can cook any kind of vegetable you want with you bulgogi; you can throw in garlic, onions, green peppers, mushrooms, and eat it all together wrapped up in your Ssam!

For some authentic-tasting Bulgogi around Chicago, we recommend San Soo Gab San, a Korean-owned-and-run restaurant in Lincoln Square that’s famous for its barbecue grills and offers guests of each table a great array of complimentary side dishes that will get your appetite working! The place is great for groups, and better yet- it opens until 3am everyday of the week. So grab your friends and take a taxi ride together, and rest assured you will have a meal you won’t forget for days to come! Oh, and one more thing- plan your activities for the rest of the night accordingly, because you will sure smell like that delicious thing you devoured!

San Soo Gab San

5247 N Western Ave

Chicago, IL 60625

Neighborhood: Lincoln Square

(773) 334-1589

Now, for those of you culinary souls who want to make Bolgogi yourself:

• 1-1.5 lbs. of thinly sliced rib-eye steak purchased from a Korean market. Or you can slice your own rib-eye or sirloin steak across the grain in paper thin slices. Partially freezing the beef helps with cutting clean slices.
• 1/3 cup of soy sauce or for a Gluten-Free variation, use San-J Organic Tamari Wheat Free Soy Sauce found in the health food section of your local grocery store.
• 3 Tbl white sugar
• 1 Tbl sesame oil
• 3 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1/4 of a medium yellow onion, halved and sliced into medium moon shaped slivers
• 2 green onions including the white parts, finely sliced into small pieces
• 2 Tbl toasted sesame seeds
• 1/4 tsp of red pepper flakes 
• 2 pinches of black pepper
• optional 1/4 tsp. of ginger, finely minced

Instructions

1. Whisk all the ingredients together in a medium bowl except beef and onions. 
2. When most of the sugar has dissolved, add beef and onion slices to the bowl and massage the marinade with your hands into each slice of beef. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour. 
3. To pan fry, place a few slices of beef in single layers and completely flat on a hot oiled frying pan and fry each side until cooked. Some people prefer to cook the bulgogi until some of the edges have turned dark brown and crispy. 
4. Serve with a bowl of hot rice. 
5. Enjoy!

Applications for the ISOC are now closed.  Thank you for your consideration!

The International Office is seeking qualified and interested candidates to now apply for the role of International Orientation Coordinator (IOC) for the 2012 Undergraduate International Student Orientation (ISO). ISO will take place this year from Saturday, September 15, to Wednesday, September 19, 2012. For a complete job description, please see the attached document which also contains the application form itself. All applications must be received by Wednesday, March 7, 2012. For more information if questions, please contact Yiran Guo (yiranguo2013@u.northwestern.edu). We look forward to another successful ISO and the IOC is an integral part in the planning and coordination of the program, as well as the promotion and selection of the International Peer Advisors (IPA).

Download Application

1) Tell us a little bit about your story growing up and how living abroad has influenced you.

I was actually born in downtown Chicago, but I moved to Geneva, Switzerland when I was 7. My dad is an Egyptian of Greek origin and my mom is Slovenian, so I never really know what to say when people ask me where I'm from! While I spent 11 years of my life in Switzerland, in many ways I still think of Chicago as one of my homes because I came back every summer and I think it's an absolutely amazing city. I also love Geneva because growing up there has really opened my eyes to so many different cultures, because it's essentially a hub for internationals from all over the world. I went to an international school where it was totally normal to walk down the hall and hear four different languages being spoken all around you. That was what I loved the most, being able to meet people from all over the world in one classroom.

2) What was your first impression of NU?

I have an older sister who went to NU and graduated a couple of years ago, so I wasn't totally unfamiliar with the school when I first moved in. I think what struck me the most was the beauty of the campus. Northwestern really is a perfect college campus while still being close to the city of Chicago, which I think is a great combination. 

3) In the future, do you see yourself living in the US, or returning back home?

I definitely do see myself staying in the U.S. for a few years after graduating from Northwestern in order to establish my career, but when it comes to starting a family it would be really important for me to raise them back in Europe, because I think it offers a different perspective on the world.

4) What is something you are particularly looking forward to in spring quarter?

There is nothing I am looking forward to more than being done with my winter quarter classes. The quarter system is tough in general, but there seems to be something particularly challenging about the winter quarter. I think it's the fact that when I get out of class at the end of the day it's already dark! I can't wait for spring because I think the weather will uplift everyone's spirits.

5) What is your favorite country that you have visited?

This is the toughest question! I don't think I can pick just one. I would have to categorize them…In terms of food I would say France, because I'm obsessed with food and everything tastes delicious in Paris. In terms of scenery I would say Greece, or the Seychelles. In terms of history I would say Italy, and in terms of the most amazing vacation I've ever had I would say when I went on safaris in South Africa, Botswana and Tanzania. 

6) What is your favorite restaurant in Evanston?

My favorite restaurant in Evanston is probably Chef's Station. It’s right under the Metra and definitely on the expensive side, but it's the best if you like French food. Otherwise, Tapas Barcelona is great too.

7) What do you miss about home the most?

I miss my friends and family of course, but I think most of all I miss being able to travel so much!

Recipe for your homemade Garbanzos soup is also attached for those self-made cuisine lovers.

Enjoy the spice and the taste!

1)      Tell us a little bit about your story growing up and how living
abroad has influenced you.
I have been a little bit around the world. I am Lebanese, but I have
lived in Dubai most of my life, except for a year and half in New York
and a year and a half in Istanbul. To me, Dubai is one of the most
beautiful cities in the world, and I have come to consider it as much
my home as Lebanon. Although it is not a very historic city, it
literally has anything anyone could ask for: beautiful beaches, huge
malls, so much to do and so much to see, and you are always surrounded
by people from all over the world because most people living in Dubai
are expats.

2)      What was your first impression of NU?
Because Dubai it’s such a modern city and it’s so hot outside, I never
used to walk to go wherever I was going. There was nothing to see
outside except concrete buildings, highways, or identical residential
areas. When I got to NU, I just loved the fact of being able to walk
around and to enjoy the beauty of the campus. There are so many trees
and beautiful areas, I still haven’t gotten used to it! However, I
still don’t really feel at home, there are so many students and so
many things going on that it is still hard for me to feel comfortable.
Add the workload and the quarter system, and it makes it even harder!

3)      In the future, do you see yourself living in the US, or
returning back home?
Ultimately, I do see myself returning back home. But not for a while.
For now, I do think that I would want to work in cities like Chicago
or New York, if I get the chance to. I also want to study for my
masters in the US. At the end of the day, I do want to live and raise
my children in Dubai, I hope.

4)      What is something you are particularly looking forward to in
spring quarter?
I am really looking forward to finishing my winter quarter classes. I
also can’t wait to be able to walk in nice weather, enjoy Chicago and
Evanston, and being so much closer to summer! I already miss home, my
family and friends, and I just want to go back!

5)      Are you interested in football, and what do you think about SuperBowl?
 I was never really interested in football, especially when I lived in
New York and everyone was talking about it, I never understood what
all the fuss was about. Back home, it’s all about “soccer”, football
is just very American. But I guess when you go to college and you have
a team, the games are so much fun and it gets really exciting!

6)      What do you miss about home the most?
I actually miss every single bit of home, including my shower and my
bed !! It makes it really hard, to be so far away, especially that a
big majority of my closest friends go to school in Beirut and are
always together. My brother will be a freshman at Northwestern next
year, so I really hope it will be easier for me ! And certainly for
him.

1) Tell us a little bit about your story growing up and how living
abroad has influenced you.
I have been a little bit around the world. I am Lebanese, but I have
lived in Dubai most of my life, except for a year and half in New York
and a year and a half in Istanbul. To me, Dubai is one of the most
beautiful cities in the world, and I have come to consider it as much
my home as Lebanon. Although it is not a very historic city, it
literally has anything anyone could ask for: beautiful beaches, huge
malls, so much to do and so much to see, and you are always surrounded
by people from all over the world because most people living in Dubai
are expats.

2) What was your first impression of NU?
Because Dubai it’s such a modern city and it’s so hot outside, I never
used to walk to go wherever I was going. There was nothing to see
outside except concrete buildings, highways, or identical residential
areas. When I got to NU, I just loved the fact of being able to walk
around and to enjoy the beauty of the campus. There are so many trees
and beautiful areas, I still haven’t gotten used to it! However, I
still don’t really feel at home, there are so many students and so
many things going on that it is still hard for me to feel comfortable.
Add the workload and the quarter system, and it makes it even harder!

3) In the future, do you see yourself living in the US, or returning back home?
Ultimately, I do see myself returning back home. But not for a while.
For now, I do think that I would want to work in cities like Chicago
or New York, if I get the chance to. I also want to study for my
masters in the US. At the end of the day, I do want to live and raise
my children in Dubai, I hope.

4) What is something you are particularly looking forward to in spring quarter?
I am really looking forward to finishing my winter quarter classes. I
also can’t wait to be able to walk in nice weather, enjoy Chicago and
Evanston, and being so much closer to summer! I already miss home, my
family and friends, and I just want to go back!

5) Are you interested in football, and what do you think about SuperBowl?
I was never really interested in football, especially when I lived in
New York and everyone was talking about it, I never understood what
all the fuss was about. Back home, it’s all about “soccer”, football
is just very American. But I guess when you go to college and you have
a team, the games are so much fun and it gets really exciting!

6) What do you miss about home the most?
I actually miss every single bit of home, including my shower and my
bed !! It makes it really hard, to be so far away, especially that a
big majority of my closest friends go to school in Beirut and are
always together. My brother will be a freshman at Northwestern next
year, so I really hope it will be easier for me ! And certainly for
him.

Interested in discussing current events while munching on free food?

Food For Thought (FFT), presented by the Global Engagement Committee of the International Student Association (ISA), is the perfect place for you to engage in conversations with your peers about political, economic and sociocultural affairs. This week’s topic is “Sweatshops: Enslavement or Escape From Poverty?”.

Dozens of large multinational corporations – from Nike to Abercrombie & Fitch – have been accused of using sweatshops for production and manufacturing. Are sweatshops solely perceived as exploitative and oppressive of underprivileged workers? Or are they seen as a viable, albeit unfavorable, way to make a living? FFT offers a relaxed setting for you to discuss these questions, and many more.

So come, bring your friends, and enjoy some DELICIOUSLY FREE INDIAN FOOD while expressing your thoughts on important current affairs!

Tired of going to the same old frat parties, dressed in a ratty Bob Marley t-shirt and jeggings? Looking to show off those expensive dresses and suits rotting in the back of your closet? Take a much-needed break from Northwestern’s hoodie + sweatpants culture ’cause it’s time to get fucking CLA$$Y at the 2012 ISA FORMAL!

The ISA Formal offers the Northwestern community a wild night of fun and international love! This year’s theme is “International Black Tie Affair”. We expect unparalleled levels of swankiness – ladies in fancy cocktail dresses and sky-high heels, men in tuxedos with satin lapels and diamond cufflinks. Yes, we’re serious.

Plus, a SPECIAL GIFT for those who show off their ♥ international pride ♥ by wearing a traditional costume from their country (think South Asian sari, Chinese qipao, Japanese kimono).

TICKETS ARE ONLY $19.99!
Tickets go on sale Feb. 7, online (www.nbo.northwestern.edu) and at the Norris Box Office. Dinner will not be provided, but there will be plenty of gourmet delicacies, refreshments, tea and coffee.

- D E T A I L S -
What: 2012 ISA Formal ~ International Black Tie Affair
When: Friday, Feb. 17 from 9pm – 1am
Where: Hilton Garden Inn Banquet Room
Price: $19.99
Who: EVERYONE!

COME AND GET DOWN WITH THE ISA CREW!