Questions I Asked Myself While Studying Abroad

What form of transportation should I use to travel to my dream destination this weekend?

My family visited and Irish they could stay forever

Two weeks ago, my brother and friend flew close to 6,000 miles across the world to visit me in Maastricht and I’ve been excited for them to come since the beginning of my time here. However, during my first few months in Maastricht I felt as though I would never be able to remember how to get around and wouldn’t be able to be a show my family around because of how bad I am with directions.

Eiffel in Love With Paris

Here I am again. Another bus back to my home in Maastricht after a weekend in yet another foreign country. This time I’m listening to melancholy music and nostalgically looking at pictures of the “best weekend of my life.” I may have repeated this phrase over and over again while describing my trips in my past blogs, but I don’t think that another city will compare to Paris.

Three Countries, Two Continents, One Outfit

Since the flight for my weekend trip was out of Brussels, Belgium, it seemed only fitting that we try the famous Belgian chocolate that everyone has been raving about. We contently indulged upon waffles the size of our faces smothered in gooey moist chocolate. This slice of heaven was the clear confirmation that Belgian chocolate surpasses any Sees, Godiva or chocolate bunny I’ve ever eaten in the states.

Home

One flight, a layover, another flight, three train changes, one missed train, a bus and a two mile walk whilst rolling an 82 kilogram suit case over cobblestone streets later … and I’m finally moved into my room in the Netherlands!

I am currently in a double room with my roommate, Maddie, in a guesthouse that is very similar to my freshman residence hall living arrangements at SDSU. The similarities stop at the physical appearance, however.

BudaBEST Place Ever

As I sat waiting for my plane to Budapest I toggled back and forth between San Diego and Budapest on my I-phone weather application. San Diego was supposed to be 70 degrees and sunny (typical) and Budapest was said to be 25 degrees and snowy for my first week in Europe. My wimpy San Diego skin made me instantly think that this freezing cold weather would negatively alter my mindset and experiences traveling. I quickly found that I was naive to think such nonsense.

Goodbye San Diego and Hallo Nederland

After I graduated high school, I answered my relative’s repetitive question, “Are you excited to go to college?” with a thoughtless “yes, Auntie.” However, when I look back on that, I wasn’t excited at all. In fact, I was a nervous wreck and terrified of everything college had to offer — the food, people, classes, teachers, etc.

More specifically, I was horrified of living in the residence halls. From hearing stories of unsanitary items left in the communal showers (I won’t go into detail), to nightmare tales of spiteful room mates, I was not at all eager for the roller coaster I was about to ride. I truly felt as though I was waiting in a never-ending line for Déjà Vu at Magic Mountain the first few months before move in day.