Home Sweet Home

Well, my inabilities to keep up with my blog have inevitably shown through again, as I am now back home in the U.S. My last few weeks were great and were a much needed relaxation and goodbye. I got to soak up some of what little sun Brussels had to offer (though it was inevitably rainy on the day I left), and spend some time in my second home abroad (the Netherlands). In addition, I took one last trip with Gerard to Krakow and Budapest, which really topped off my traveling experiences in Europe. That doesn't mean the list of must see cities has gotten any smaller however - we'll save those for another day.

But, now I'm home, and despite my concerns in the past few weeks that things wouldn't seem the same anymore they are surprisingly no different. I don't want to undermine my readiness and excitement to be home, because that going back to "normal" really is a great feeling. The warmer weather has been an adjustment, but there's really nothing better than sitting in my backyard with an ice tea and a good book (perhaps a Lipton Ice Tea Bruillant would have made it complete, but you can't have it all). Having a car to drive isn't so bad either, and you can bet I'll be hitting all my fav food spots within the next few weeks. Overall, I think my first few days back have been a testament to the value of having a true home, and a place you can always come back to no matter what. Though Brussels became another home for me as it was a major part of my life for 9.5 months, there's nothing like really, truly coming home.

I think over the next few weeks as I process my experiences in Europe I may begin to miss more things, but that remains to be seen. The biggest thing I struggle with now is trying to answer the obligatory, "so, how was it?!" question. I don't know, you tell me how to sum up almost 10 months of my life in one answer. I certainly don't think my experience abroad has fundamentally changed me as a person, but it has taught me a thousand more things than I ever could have imagined to experience back here in the midwestern United States. It broadened my understanding of the world, and has given me more opportunities to look toward in the future. I have closed one chapter in my undergraduate career, and in one year as I complete the book, maybe those experiences will better help to lead me into the wild and crazy "real" world. But, until then, it's home for me.

Live it up, one last time

So the epic journey draws nearer and nearer to a close. I've struggled a lot in the last few weeks trying to both deal with the fact that I'll be leaving in a little more than a month and how I'll feel once I'm finally home. 9 months abroad is no minor detail as it marks a relatively large time in my life, and one that I hope will have lasting impacts.

I think the biggest thing I'm struggling with is the fear of having regrets. I'm not ready to go home and realize there were so many things I should have done, seen, or experienced. I realize I sound like quite the negative nancy, but I think it's a valid concern. This worry is compounded by the fact that my last month here is half way filled with papers and exams and all the concerns that go along with them. How the heck am I supposed to uphold my commitment to my academics while at the same time make the most out of my last month here? I'm sorry I can't be like some of you who fully understand how short life is, and how much that one paper won't matter 10 years from now. I guess my biggest flaw is that I just (sigh).. care too much.. ha. ha. ha. But really, I care about the work I'm supposed to be accountable for, and that's the biggest thing keeping me from going all out this last month.

On the upside, once all this hellish work is over with (seriously, for those of you looking to party abroad.. this program maybe not the best one), I'll have a solid three weeks to take some time to say goodbye to Brussels and Europe. This time won't be filled taking some gigantic Eurotrip.. as I know I've already mentioned, that's not what this experience was about for me. Brussels will have been my home for 9 months, and that's a feeling that is definitely not going to leave me very easily - I'll need all the time I can get to say goodbye to such an amazing city. Nevertheless, with all the sadness that goes along with saying goodbye to a place like this, I can say with almost certainty that I will be back, someday...

Dresden? Yes, Dresden.

Okay SO, I'm gonna try this whole posting a blog as I'm actually traveling thing. Currently I'm on spring break for my classes, which is two weeks long. Most people decided to take advantage of this unheard of amount of time and do some crazy euro travels, but I chose to take it easy. To be honest, I'm glad I did.. even being gone for a few days now makes me realize how much traveling stresses and wears me out. Not to mention, the expenses can really add up.

Anyways, my spring break travels initially took me to Paris to see some friends from home. It was a really great weekend, but as I've already posted about Paris before, I don't feel I need to go into much detail. My second phase of spring break travels brought me to. . . Dresden. "Ummm okay, what?" is what you're probably asking yourself. To be honest, I didn't exactly choose the destination; it was chosen for me through a blind booking option, and lo and behold, I got sent to the one city choice I was less than ecstatic about. So initially I was being kind of a bummer about it, but I'm now very happy with how things turned out. First of all, I'm traveling alone over these 4 days, and Dresden is quite a manageable city to be on your own in. Second, how many students studying abroad can say they've been to Dresden? As I've discovered, it's not exactly catered to those kind of tourists.

No, on the contrary to what I initially imagined, I've found Dresden to be a very refreshing experience. The day I spent seeing all the touristy sights was actually quite gloomy, but it didn't necessarily detract from the atmosphere of the city itself. The city is comprised of the Neustadt (New City) and Alstadt (Old City) sides, separated by the Elbe River. The Alstadt side is where one can find all the tourist spots conveniently located in a cluster together. For those that do not know, Dresden was bombed in a 1945 air raid by the Allies, leaving the city itself utterly decimated. This had a lot to do with its plethora of historical and architectural riches, and unfortunately this means many of the buildings one sees today are only replicas of the originals. However, it is amazing to think about the amount of painstaking effort that has gone into giving these buildings the same atmosphere and look as they were originally meant to have. For example, in order to give the Semperoper (Opera House) the same feeling the original architect, Semper, intended, the same materials and ancient methods were used to give the building the same character. Though this meant an extraordinary amount of extra time for labor and higher costs, it exemplifies the lengths at which the city of Dresden has gone to resurrect their charming, Baroque style monuments.

Apart from the sites, I have only encountered one other American, and that includes any Americans I may have simply heard passing me by on the street. English is rarely heard, and as I found out, this is because Dresden is a major tourist attraction for Germans themselves. Even more difficult to come across it seemed, were people who actually spoke english. A majority of times I approached someone by speaking English, they told me politely in German that they did not know any English. After taking a look at a note written on my map, I realized that Germans in the GDR learned Russian, not English growing up. I think it is a common assumption we make that all Germans know English, and though those that do know it speak it quite well, this assumption is simply not true; it depends entirely on the region and age group one is dealing with. Despite this aspect sometimes being a challenge, I really like being in a city where I almost feel special because I'm such an exception. This is completely the opposite in Paris, where Americans can be spotted everywhere, and from a mile away (it's the shoes that do it, I completely swear by that).

Hopefully this post will make up for my lack in descriptive details about my travels. I've really enjoyed my time traveling alone (though at times it does get a bit, well, lonely) and discovering places I never had in mind.

The Remarkable Unimportance of Things

Okay, so if there's one thing any of you that still bother to read this thing should know by now, it's that my ability to stay up to date with my blogging is seriously lacking. Over a month since my last post... oops? Sorry everyone! Anyways, I find that my true inspiration comes from random thoughts that pop into my head about my time here. This post definitely being one of them..

I've been thinking about this post for more than a week now, and I can't exactly say what happened to trigger so many thoughts about it. Maybe it's the apparent lack of consumerism in Brussels that made me realize how truly silly it is that people get so worked up about such a thing as clothes. The more and more I think about going back home and being bombarded with tv ads and sale signs the more and more it makes me nervous. What is it about American society that promotes this constant obsession with things? I'm sure many people have their theories, but the purpose of this post is not really to discuss that. I'm more so trying to bring to light one of the stark contrasts between life on both sides of the Atlantic. This belief will really only be confirmed once I return home, but somehow I can't imagine things will have changed much the 9 months I've been away. Overall, it seems to me that here people are much more content to live within their means... Wait, you mean they don't feel the constant need to impress those around them with their shiny new cars and technological contraptions? I realize this is a broad generalization, but I also recognize a significant difference in cultural attitudes when I see one. Europeans just don't have the same kind of frenzy, freaky mentality to buy, buy, buy. Sure, they go shopping and sure, they buy expensive new things, but the way consumerism is approached is on an entirely different level.

Now, I love a new pair of Uggs as much as the next girl, and I'm not saying I'm above any of the mindless consumption. This year, however has been different for me than it would have been in the states. I've gotten through this past 7 months with a few trusty pairs of shoes, one coat, and not a very big 'going out' collection to choose from (no more room 2 walk-in closet for me). And after it all I've found that, remarkably(?), I'm fine. So going home to a wardrobe that's 5x multiplied, frankly, is going to be a little odd and frustrating at first. I certainly hope that the perspective I've gained here will stick with me, and make me change some of my consumerisitic habits while back home. Because let's be honest, who wants their life to be ruled by such silly little things?

Time is a Funny Thing

Well, somehow not surprisingly, I managed to fall through on another promise to update this thing more frequently. I am already heading into my 5th week of my second semester here in Brussels, which is frankly a really frightening thing to realize. It all means I'm heading closer to another round of midterms, massive term papers, and final trips to cool new places. But, first things first, a few updates on the semester so far.

The beginning of this spring semester was filled with hopes and promises that I would take more time to get to know the city of Brussels a little better, and that I would be able to secure an internship through my school's program. After a successful interview and falling in love with a cool organization, I was bummed to find they could only take someone full time (umm hello, this is a student you're talking to?!). After that relatively rough start, however, I was able to secure an internship (along with a few other fellow students) with one of my professors. The institute he works for is relatively new, but the opportunities and experience sound promising. I am hoping to aid the peace and security component, most specifically doing research concerning the UN's effort at DDR and peacekeeping in Libya. Still haven't heard much from him, but hopefully things will get rolling along with that within a week or so.

Otherwise, I've been doing my best to explore my city a little more. As I've probably already mentioned, one of my biggest problems is getting out of my daily routine, and once classes get going it becomes even harder to do so. However, as it is always in the back of my mind, I have made more of an effort to get out and find new things, at least on a weekly basis. Brussels truly does have a wealth of things to offer, but many of them are things that take an effort to find and get to know. 3 euro cinemas, tucked away Beer museums, and bars where you dance on tables - all can be found with a little bit of exploration and initiative.

As a tribute to the time I've spent here already, I'll leave all of you with a few things I've learned this far - both about myself and about the experience in general.

1. Routines are dangerous. If you're like me once you get into a groove with classes and all, it's really difficult to get out of that daily routine. Wake up, get on the tram, go to class, come home, make dinner.. etc. etc. The one thing I can say to remedy this is take the time to EXPLORE. I can't stress how important that one little word is, and though I preach it I'm still having trouble doing it myself.
2. Worry less. If you're young living in a cool place, why stress? In my opinion, there's plenty of time for that once we don't have the freedom to do whatever we want (well, to an extent). This, along with #1, is probably the hardest one for me to tackle. I have a tendency to stress about my classes and school work as if my life depended on it. While you certainly shouldn't forget about school altogether, you need to leave room to learn some lessons outside the classroom too.
3. Get outside your bubble. Yes yes, I know.. the fabled "comfort zone". As much as we hear this piece of advice more than we'd like to, it truly is one of the best rules to live by. I have a hard time being in a situation where I feel uncomfortable, but the truth is it's probably the place you'll learn the most. To go along with it, let's take the advice from #2 and worry a little less about what others think of us.. Cus those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind.
4. Do What you want. Especially in a context where so many people are discussing their plans to do so many great things while abroad, don't let it get to you. This time is for you, so decide what you want out of it and follow that path. Just because you're here doesn't mean you need to travel every weekend and do tons of crazy things. Even if your plans for yourself change along the way, embrace it, and keep on living.

Siestas, Fiestas, y Playas

Well, lately my blog posts have been a little bit outdated so I'm sorry for that. Within the next few weeks I'll try to use my free time to keep you all up to date and fill you in on the newest developments on my continuing life abroad.

In the meantime, however, I'll be devoting this post to the beautiful, sunny city of Barcelona. With my outrageously long winter break, I figured I should spend at least some time exploring a different piece of Europe. Since my good friend from Wisconsin is currently studying there I figured Barca would be my best bet, and I certainly can't say there were any second thoughts about that idea. Who wouldn't want to turn down sun, beautiful people, and the beach? Regardless of the fact that it still wasn't quite sunbathing time, I'll take the continued presence of the sun over getting bogged down in the grayness of Bruxelles any day.

Once Lindsey finally found me standing practically smack dab in the middle of Passeig de Gracia, we made our way to a cute Tapas place near her housing. We ordered a few small plates, fried fish being one among them (sounds... normal, right?). We were.... well.. unpleasantly surprised to find ten minutes later a full plate of little baby fishes staring us in the face (literally... eyes and all included). We tried them out, but needless to say the waiter seemed a bit disappointed in our ability to stomach the little guys. Fortunately the rough start was not a bad omen for the week to come, which was filled with more delicious tapas, desserts, and plenty of paella.

One of the things I was most impressed by in Barcelona (aside from the remarkably clean public transport) was the architecture, specifically that of Gaudi. We started our little tour of his creations by visiting Parc Guell, a neat little place that boasts lots of green space, a great view of the city, and fabulous examples of Gaudi's work. We then went on to la Sagrada Familia, one of his last big works which is still in progress today. Hands down, this place is one the most phenomenal churches I have yet to see in Europe. Forget Notre Dame, this place is just overflowing with architectural singularity and overwhelming detail. Much of Gaudi's inspiration came from nature, and this could be clearly seen in the tree like resemblances in the columns and ceilings. Unfortunately he died a tragic death before his work could be completed, so the newer side is a bit of a disappointment, but still worth the entrance ticket nonetheless.

When I had some time to myself I went strolling along the beaches... stopping along the way to play with the sand and even take a little snooze. As I sat and took it all in I began to notice some of the habits of these Southern Europeans. One pronounced detail was the amount of young men coming to get their gym on - just along the beach was a little area that looked almost like a child's playground. However, this was not a place for children, but for dudes doing all sorts of odd exercises, looking to get ripped on the monkeybars. The best part for me though was witnessing the group of older, out of shape men in their speedos hangin' out on the rocks. Despite their massive (beer,food, both?) bellies, they still made some effort to do some exercises, whether it be stretching or running just on the edge of the water. Though they may not keep up their bodies like some northern Europeans I've seen, they certainly still seemed to care about staying active.

Spending some time along the beach also brought a lot of differences into perspective. One might see the Spaniards' inherent 'disrespect' for time as some fundamental flaw, but how could one not share that kind of mentality if one lived in a place that was ALWAYS sunny and offered not only the beach, but mountains too? Though understanding that late lunches and late dinners were very much the norm (oh, and don't mess with that 2-5 break for siestas) was a little difficult for me, it's all apart of their culture so why mess with it? I certainly don't see it as laziness, as current opinions may suggest, just a different way of life. If anything, it only highlights the difficulties in trying to bring so many nations together that, in the end, don't really have all that much in common. Not trying to start a political debate here, just putting forth a perspective that dawned on me (but certainly not one that should hold very much weight :) ).

Though Barcelona may be an exception to the other cities in Spain (or so I've heard), I still had a wonderful time and if the opportunity ever posed itself I would certainly go back in the future. Any of you fellow travelers looking for a good deal on hostels should definitely check out Equity Point Centric. It's located right on Passeig de Gracia, is a great deal, offers extremely helpful service, and breakfast is included! Can't really go wrong with all of that. Aside from that I would encourage anyone to explore Barca - it truly is a city you can get lost in, whether it be at sea level or far, far above :)

La Vie Parisienne

Well, after 4 months abroad I finally made it to the city of lights, wine, cheese, and tourists: Paris. I have to say my expectations were not high as I heard from many about the unending hordes of tourists; my experiences this far have taught me that tourist destinations are not exactly my favorite. However, I was pleasantly surprised to discover a city that is constantly moving and full of new sights and sounds around every corner.

I spent the week with my mom and dad, and we were lucky enough to have the insight and recommendations from his good friend who now lives in Paris. The first evening was spent enjoying a 5 hour Christmas meal in true Parisian fashion: champagne, fromage, foie gras, wine, macaroons, wine, and more champagne (the real stuff, mind you!). One thing is certainly true, the French really know how to enjoy a meal, especially around the holidays.

Though the night of the 25th was relatively quiet on the streets, we were able to enjoy a sunny first day walking around our neighborhood, eating lunch in a park facing Notre Dame, and spending some time exploring the infamous church. We ended the day walking along the Seine and enjoying the last bit of our sunny weather. One of the most wonderful things about Paris is the atmosphere; unfortunately it's hard for me to describe because it's really something you have to experience on your own.

The rest of our week was filled withsome of the typical sights (Eiffel Tower, Musee d'Orsay among them) and evenings of wonderful meals spent in great company. I’m lucky enough to have spent that time with my parents; I am just now appreciating the kinds of differences one sees in traveling with members of different generations. While of course at my age it’s always fun to travel with friends, stay in a hostel, stay out late and do risky things, I realize the wisdom and insight we learn from our parents is truly a blessing.

So my trip to Paris was overall a great success, and only showed me that there’s still a lot more I want to experience there. I foresee at least one more trip within the next 5 months, if not more. In the meantime, it’s on to Barcelona…

La Vie Parisienne

Well, after 4 months abroad I finally made it to the top tourist destination in the world: Paris. As its title presumes,

Round 1 Done! (Well, almost..)

As this post is being written, I have just finished my official classes for the semester and am moving on to the joyful stress of finals. I would try to make a reflection on my experiences this past semester, but I don't exactly think I'm ready for that just yet. The fact is I still have almost 6 months to go, and for that I couldn't be any happier. I just need more time.

I apologize to those of you who expected to hear about all of my amazing travels and crazy experiences, because unfortunately there wasn't really a whole lot of that. I was lucky enough to see the sites of Waterloo, Bruges, Utrecht, The Hague, Amsterdam, Luxembourg, Normandy, Berlin, Enschede, and Aachen. Though it may sound like a lot, most of those trips were day trips done with my program, and my travels have not yet given me the chance to venture outside Western Europe. In relation to many of my friends here, my trips have paled in comparison. However, the more I dwell on this thought the more I realize that none of this is about living up to some expectation or idea - it's about me. Though it may sound bad that 4 months in I still can't put my finger on what it is I want out of this experience, I'm not worried. For me this is about learning; learning from my mistakes, learning a new way to learn from those around me, and learning just what it is I'm here for.

Despite not having many of the typical experiences of my fellow abroaders, I do believe I've experienced one thing that most will not have the chance to - dating a European has its perks you know! (Maybe now you know what's about to follow..) Because of Gerard, I feel lucky enough to have had the chance to get to know another city completely outside the realm of being a tourist. Though yes, some of my weekends spent in Utrecht could have been spent exploring some new 'exotic' country (whatever that means), they were spent getting to know a different European culture through new friends, meeting family, and simply enjoying new experiences. And for that feeling - that home away from home feeling - I wouldn't change a thing.

So now comes the time for me to wrap up the semester, and wildly anticipate what is to come - I'm looking forward to spending a few weeks in Europe with mom and dad, doing some traveling in January, a whole new range of classes, and even the possibility of having an internship. Though I could be seeing my situation in any number of ways right now - almost over, a waste of time, with undying nostalgia for home - I choose to see it the only way I know how - half full.

Workin' Hard or Hardly Workin'

I write this post in the midst of another stressful school work related crisis. With two major term papers and a presentation staring me in the face within the next week and a half, naturally I've decided the best next move is to update the blog and procrastinate some more. Word to the wise - if you're all about the lack of work on your study abroad experience DON'T choose Vesalius College in Brussels.

However, I do know by now that Brussels was the perfect choice for me. I have to constantly remind myself that I'm here for my studies, and I am gaining a lot so far from my classes. That doesn't make the overwhelming amount of work any better, but the good news is there is always a light at the end of the tunnel - specifically in the form of Mom and Dad coming to visit for 2 weeks during my winter break! I'm really happy that they both have made the time and commitment to come, even in light of the newest addition to the family who will be here in late January.

Aside from the heavy stress at this point in time, I have had some time to enjoy myself the past few weeks. Over fall break I visited Berlin, a city brimming with historical sites (among many, many other things) and full of good atmosphere. My favorite site was the house of the Wannsee Conference - a bit off the beaten path of touristy sites and a really moving experience for me as I am in the midst of learning about Germany under Nazi Socialism. Overall Berlin was a really excellent city, and I would highly recommend it to anyone making their way across the pond.

This past weekend I also received a visit from a really good from school who is currently studying in Spain. It was a really nice little taste of home, and to top it off we got to experience some table dancing, fancy chocolate, and (I think it goes without mentioning) some ladling. I think the overall consensus was a thumbs up for Bruxelles, so I'm happy everyone had a good time. Now it's back to the grind - best of luck to everybody back home going through the same pain! There's always a light at the end of it all :)

Normandy

I just got back from a wonderful weekend in Normandy, France with the rest of my program and I have to say it was one of the best experiences I've had so far. I'm going to make this post mainly about the pictures so I won't say much more. I never expected to feel the kinds of things I did when visiting such historical sites, but being there made everything feel so much more real.

Mount Saint Michel

American Cemetery

Omaha Beach

Socialism.. That's like, um, Communism or Something, Right?

Actually, it's like, um, where you give a little more back to the government and in turn you and your fellow citizens receive abounding benefits including (but not limited to) health care (that isn't just there for those who can afford it, surprise!) and education. Wait.. that doesn't sound so bad does it? Okay, so maybe this sounds like I'm about to go on some rambling rampage, but I promise I have a point here.. er, at least I think I do.

So maybe I haven't yet been sent to the hospital here (fingers crossed), and my exorbitant tuition fees haven't changed, but I still believe it is reflected in society as a whole in Europe. It's so refreshing, and yet, I can't quite put my finger on what it is. However, maybe I can tell you what it isn't. It isn't people obsessing over this mine, mine, mine syndrome. Money, food, beer - take your pick, it doesn't matter - if it's my 'hard earned' 6 pack of Brewskis don't even think about asking for one without getting a considerable guilt trip before I finally give it up (a trite analogy, I'm aware, but one I relate with nonetheless). All over the money, because it is all about the money after all, right? Why should I share that with anybody else if it is, after all, mine.

Because of the Common Good, something I believe is lost on a lot of people, particularly in the land of the proud and free. You don't want people rising up against you when they realize they've been cheated out of what is rightfully everyone's? When those who are more fortunate give back a share, not only do they benefit in the end, but they contribute to everyone else's well being. Guess what that equals? A happier society on the whole. Please don't take my words wrong and think that I'm saying Socialism is the answer to all of society's ills - I don't think anybody's ever gonna have that one figured out. I'm also not saying, "Hey, Capitalist America.. maybe it's time you quietly move your way on over to Socialism?" Because that's simply not feasible. Afterall, there will always be a Europe for me to come back to.

I do, however, believe that many Americans have been duped into believing that Socialism is just another word for Communism - that very scary monster we thought we got rid of in 1989. Don't be mistaken, the government hasn't come to take over everyone's lives, it just wants to spread the wealth a little more evenly. And I really can't see the harm in that.

Which is why I am so excited to see where this Occupy movement is going. It makes me proud to see, from way over here, what the 99% are finally making a stand for. Taking a stand against capitalist greed, corporate gain, and frank injustice toward the American people. 4,000 miles away, I stand strong with the 99%.

Oh wait - I go to school here too?

Okay, so maybe the rumors I've heard are true - there must be some sort of 'study abroad shield' that keeps us naive college aged hooligans from coming to terms with the reality of our experiences. The past week has been a true testament to that idea. Oh wait, this is the 6th week of classes? Midterms are a week away from tomorrow? And maybe it's time to start thinking about that 20 page term paper staring you in the face. . . So I guess I became the stereotype and let everything get ahead of me, but the bottom line is this beautiful city is just one grand distraction from anything academically important.

Of course I haven't completely forgotten that I am 'studying' abroad, but the abroad part manages to win out everytime. Not to mention the difficulties I've been having getting acquainted with differences in classroom structure, teaching methods and expectations. I've been here for a month and a half, shouldn't I have it all figured out by now? However, through all of the frustrations and struggles I seem to be going through within the past few weeks, I am reminded by my dad of some important advice: Focus on and do well at those things you actually have control over, and the rest will be okay. Maybe more importantly - You've gotta let what's happened in the past stay there. There's no sense in worrying about something you may have done wrong a week ago.

As difficult as this new environment may be for certain aspects of my personality, it's all a learning experience. Ultimately, that's the reason I'm here - not only to learn more about myself, but to learn to adapt and make the best of a situation. It may be uncomfortable and challenging, but a different perspective is one we all need sometimes.

Sorry for the lesson in life, (I'm sure you're all here to read about marvelous traveling adventures and the glamorous European life) but unfortunately (or fortunately) that's not all I'm here to do. This year for me is about a lot of things, many of which I'm sure are still not completely evident to me. Thanks for reading, and I hope everyone is getting the chance to experience their own life lessons; They won't kill you, but they'll certainly make you stronger :)

Education - European Style

Okay, wow... sorry everyone! My updating abilities have been seriously lacking these past few weeks. I am currently into my third week of studies at Vesalius College, a small school that has an affiliation with the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (a Dutch speaking university). So far I'm really enjoying the atmosphere - small classes are a nice change of pace from the massive lecture halls back home!

My experience with studies in Brussels so far has actually been quite enlightening. I am taking five courses: Elementary Dutch, Military Approaches to Global Security, a course on Belgian history and culture, The EU's Common Security and Defense Policy, and Germany under Nazi Socialism. . . or in other words the schedule of my dreams. For the first time my semester is completely focused on the concentration of my major: Global Security. I share courses with many study abroad students and also regular VeCo students who come from all across Europe. The advantages of this kind of environment are tremendous.

In my first week of classes I found out my Global Security class was located in none other than The Royal Military Academy. What? Yes.. an educational institution for members of the military. My course is being taught by two members of the military: one from the Netherlands and an expert on Russia, the other a professor from Belgium. Now at what other point in time will I have the privilege of saying I took a course in a military academy? Probably never. One of the benefits of this class is the variation of opinions within. There are quite a few Europeans, but most unexpectedly a gentleman from Pakistan is also a member of the class. To share the classroom with someone from a country we hear so much about on the news, most always in a negative light, is actually quite a humbling experience. No, the days of taking in an American-centric point of view are long gone.

Aside from studies, I have already taken a weekend trip to Utrecht, Netherlands to see Gerard which was a really nice break from reality. I will travel to the Netherlands again soon to The Hague/ICTY and (hopefully) sit in on a trial (Hardly containing my excitement for that one). Suffice it to say, Brussels has already offered me so much, and I cannot wait to see what the next 8 months will bring.

Okay, wow... sorry everyone! Not sure what happened here, but my updating abilities have been seriously lacking these past few weeks.

Home Away From Home

So I have a feeling it's going to get harder and harder to write these blog posts... way too much has happened in one week! Orientation started on Sunday, and was a very full three days of instruction, getting to know the city, and meeting lots of really great people.

One of my highlights of those three days was a visit we took to a local brewery called Le Cantillon. My knowledge on beer (and how it's brewed) was certainly not extensive, so I'm sure most of what I learned was way beyond me. Yet, I was still very appreciative of the integrity this place has; they've been keeping up the brewing business for more than a

century and have made little to no changes to the process along the way. It was

quite refreshing considering the corporate, greed driven world we live in today.

On the subject of beer, I've already gotten a few chances to get a taste of the night life here. As I was warned it is nothing close to scenes in the U.S. of skimpy dresses and huge keggers, and the differences may take some getting used to. Things do move at a much slower pace

here (how many people can say they've experienced a five hour meal?) which I am definitely starting to appreciate. I'll take enjoying a beer in front of the Grand Place over a frat party any day (no offense to my sisters back home - I'm definitely going to miss the apartment crawls and themed parties!).

So now that all the craziness of the past week is finally over, I now have the chance to relax in my own room in Europe. . . now there's something I never thought I'd be saying. I finally moved into an amazing house just south of downtown that I'll be sharing with a Moroccan, an Austrian, a Frenchman, and a Belgian - talk about diverse roomies in one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the world. I couldn't have asked for a more perfect way to start my year in Belgium.

Classes start on Monday, so maybe you'll be hearing from me a bit less. Good luck to all my friends back home starting up the rigors of university life once more! We will share the same pain soon, I promise. But before all the stress comes, be like the Belgians: have a beer, relax, and eat some good food :)

In Love

Well, after all these months of it never feeling very real, I'm finally here and I have to say - it's really not such a big deal. I mean that in the best way possible: the second I stepped off the plane things felt as if they were all in place for me. Sure, the wooziness of getting off an 8 hour plane ride was not a pleasant feeling, but in the few hours I've been here I already know these 9 months will be nothing short of amazing.

Clue number one: While standing near the baggage tram waiting for my luggage, I was approached by a woman who asked "parlez-vous le francais?", an instance that might have intimidated me greatly had I imagined it happening in my head, but in reality went quite smoothly. I replied "un peu" as my usual response to any such question, but was then able to help her understand whether or not this was the right tram for the baggage coming from Montreal. She was quite grateful, and this initial interaction only moments after getting off the plane was a great bolster to my French speaking abilities. Not to mention, do I already look so European as to get approached with such a question?! Okay, I'll try not to get too far ahead of myself...

After the taxi ride from the airport with a female driver (seriously, how common is that?) I found myself at the door to Hotel des Colonies, a charming little place where I'll be staying the next few days. It's in a quiet little nook of a street, just outside of a major shopping district in Brussels. So, naturally, I just got back from looking around a few hours... I think these next 9 months will be a goldmine for my wardrobe, but quite bad news for the bank account (I only kind of mean that, dad). So I end my first outing in Brussels at a nice little lunch place with a beer (at 10:30 am ..but who's judging?) and some tuna salad while I witness the first of I'm sure many, many sudden rain showers in this beautiful city. Long story short, I can't wait to get to know this wonderful city. . . its everything I ever could have wanted so far! Pictures to come :)

DSM - ORD - BRU

Just 10 days remain between me and what is sure to be one of the most amazing experiences of my life. Despite the lack of legitimate packing I feel 100% ready to get the heck out of the U.S. and find my way to the land of beer, waffles, and most importantly - chocolate. 9 months abroad certainly sounds like a long time, but I have a sneaking suspicion it might just fly by.

My decision to study abroad in Brussels wasn't one that took a whole lot of thought, but once the decision was made I knew it was the right one. My original thought was to find a program in a Francophone country, with the goal of eventually becoming fluent in the language I've been taking classes in since freshman year of high school. No need to get into the nitty gritty, but I landed on UW's academic year program in Belgium - a terrific place for an International Studies/Poli Sci major as it is the capitol of Europe and a truly Cosmopolitan city. Though Brussels may not be on the radar of most tourists' destinations, I am sure it is a place I will grow to love and know very well.

So I'm clearly Gung-Ho about packing up a suitcase (or two...) and living in Europe for 9 months, and maybe I haven't put enough thought into the things I'll really miss about home. A good burger, friendly midwestern smiles, the convenience of having a car - all things that any respectable Iowan might miss. Yet, I'm ready to see what the other side of the pond has to offer even if it means some unease and discomfort at first. I already know that the experiences and life lessons I will get out of my time abroad will be well worth it in the end. A la prochaine fois, en Bruxelles!