So this is it. It is time for this adventure to end and another to begin. I feel distanced and almost jaded with the entire experience, at this point. I'm not at all sure what to expect when I return home, nor what exactly I will take with me from my time in Europe. I had a wonderful time, learned many things about myself, others, and the world around me. I just wish I had more time to let the fact that I'm leaving in less than two weeks to sink in.
At the moment, I'm sick and facing a looming amount of classwork that one shouldn't have to deal with in their final weeks in a foreign country. I have a powerpoint presentation for Dr. Valhas (have no idea if I spelled that correctly) to complete, a video presentation for an independent study french class, and three finals to worry about. I'm not going to complain, and I have had course loads that have surpassed this in the past, but for some reason, I don't feel nearly as up to it as I usually do. I think all of it comes down to the fact that I will soon be dropped back into reality. I won't be living in a castle, having a free buffet breakfast every morning, nor will I only have class two or three times a week. I will have to get a job again. I will disembark on the arduous process of law school applications, as well as getting surgery during the same time period. I'm up to it. I just need to prepare myself, so that I may land on my feet rather than my face when I return home.
I still need to figure out how I'm getting to the airport for my flight next Saturday. Hopefully, someone from the chateau will be able to drive me, but if not, I'll probably have to spend 60 euro on a taxi. I don't even want to think about these extra costs I'll incur simply for leaving this country. I'll also have to spend upwards to 300 dollars on checked bags at the airport, something that I'm looking ecstatically looking forward to. I just wish I had more time to sit and contemplate this experience, to completely soak it in before I leave. Perhaps I'll have more time to do this next week.
I guess that's it. This is where I say goodbye. I will never forget those with whom I've spent time during my stay in France, even though I might never see several of these people again. However, whether they know it or not, every single person here has left some sort of positive impression on me; I will most certainly carry their influence for the rest of my life, shaping my existence for the better. Goodbye all.
12/04/2011
11/30/2011
Not Gonna be a Debbie Downer
This weekend we got to enjoy what a beautiful place that Heidelberg, Germany is. I was lucky enough to be able to share this experience with my boyfriend. He came all the way to Europe to spend Thanksgiving with me, as well as getting to do some traveling himself. I was thrilled to be able to share with him some of the experiences that I get as a study abroad student. Also, I got to show him what goes on during my days in Europe. This is when I realized how boring my daily life here is, it is just how it would be back home in West Virginia, except in France. And before, I hear anyone nag at me about "You're in France, you're not living it up to your fullest potential", here is my reply, France has been here for thousands of years. I'm sure it will be here for thousands of more years. I will take more opportunities when I have more cash. So give it a rest.
Heidelberg, on the other hand, was a wonderful change in that monotony. I had plans to take my boyfriend to Stuttgart or Paris, but didn't count on how expensive both plans were going to be, so I just showed him around the Chateau park, and Strasbourg itself. Heidelberg was a gorgeous little city that sits around the Neckar river. It also hold Castle Schloss, a gigantic ruin of an old castle. Me and my boyfriend walked around the city going through the various Christmas markets. The best part of going through the Christmas markets there was the food. Bratwursts, steak sandwiches, roasted almonds, gummies, Gluhwien, and beer were the highlight of the trip for us. However, you had to pay cash for everything there. This city is not a fan of plastic. And in the city with the longest shopping street in Germany, you would think that there would be more ATMs, but that was not the case. It took forever to find a bank or ATM in that damn city. We also noticed a large quantity of English speaking people there due to the large army base located in Heidelberg. The Castle Schloss was another wonderful aspect of the city. It had a perfect view of the city and the river. I love castles because they hold so much history and culture all rolled into one building. I always have some interest in seeing castles because of what details they contain.
Unfortunately Heidelberg was the end of my boyfriends stay. Only three more weeks left of the semester though. After Heidelberg we went to Frankfurt for his flight the next morning. However, we woke up an hour and a half before his flight, causing him to almost miss it. Talk about a tense time. It worked out ok though and the rushed goodbye to each other kept me from breaking down in tears in the middle of the Frankfurt airport. I am very happy and THANKFUL that I got to share a little slice of my new European life with someone from home.
Heidelberg, on the other hand, was a wonderful change in that monotony. I had plans to take my boyfriend to Stuttgart or Paris, but didn't count on how expensive both plans were going to be, so I just showed him around the Chateau park, and Strasbourg itself. Heidelberg was a gorgeous little city that sits around the Neckar river. It also hold Castle Schloss, a gigantic ruin of an old castle. Me and my boyfriend walked around the city going through the various Christmas markets. The best part of going through the Christmas markets there was the food. Bratwursts, steak sandwiches, roasted almonds, gummies, Gluhwien, and beer were the highlight of the trip for us. However, you had to pay cash for everything there. This city is not a fan of plastic. And in the city with the longest shopping street in Germany, you would think that there would be more ATMs, but that was not the case. It took forever to find a bank or ATM in that damn city. We also noticed a large quantity of English speaking people there due to the large army base located in Heidelberg. The Castle Schloss was another wonderful aspect of the city. It had a perfect view of the city and the river. I love castles because they hold so much history and culture all rolled into one building. I always have some interest in seeing castles because of what details they contain.
Unfortunately Heidelberg was the end of my boyfriends stay. Only three more weeks left of the semester though. After Heidelberg we went to Frankfurt for his flight the next morning. However, we woke up an hour and a half before his flight, causing him to almost miss it. Talk about a tense time. It worked out ok though and the rushed goodbye to each other kept me from breaking down in tears in the middle of the Frankfurt airport. I am very happy and THANKFUL that I got to share a little slice of my new European life with someone from home.
11/29/2011
Do Work!
This semester has ran away. I don't know where it went. Now it is time to get down to business. I'm two papers in, and showing no sign of slowing down. It's so weird that all of this has caught up with us. It's not like I'm opposed to work, but I have come to the conclusion the french education isn't for me. The only part I would like is the price, that would be swell.
I never thought I'd be excited to go back to WVU to do work. I can't wait to have a syllabus with actual things on it. I can be organized again. I feel like I have been running around in circles all semester. I can just plan things, and know when things are due. I also will know how to do what is due, when it is due. Some would think this blog is a sick joke(especially my close friends if they read it), but I am so serious.
I am just hopping that paper for international business went well. I did more than enough research, but I'm still nervous. Now let's just get through these next two exams. I just feel like I'm not quite prepared. This semester I was sitting there taking it all in, but I don't have it now. Shew time to start praying here we do.
A Colorful Week
Last week was surely a colorful one. When I first heard of the soon arrival of 22 additional students, I was not pleased. It wasn't that I didn't want to meet new people, it's just there's like a million people here already. The last thing I wanted to do was have to share that kitchen with more people. So I was on the anti- DeVry wagon.
Little did I know that was the one of my best weeks in Europe. They were so much fun. I was glad they were here for the holiday. I was longing for home that week. It made me sad that I was missing out on spending time with my family and friends. And of course I missed out on that GOOD food. Not saying that the culinary food wasn't good, it was, but it wasn't like home.
I know a little people didn't like them. Everyone isn't for everybody, but I'd hate to miss out on wondeful people. They made me feel like I was at home, and I was around my family. We could sing songs, play dominos, or just take time to just spend time.
My favorite part about it was the motivtional speech Reeva and received. Two of the women sat us down and told us they were proud of us. They filled us in on their lives. I almost teared up, I felt it in my soul. It made me feel so inspired. Such a great experience it was, and I am so greateful for it.
11/27/2011
I need me some more Heidelberg!
Heidelberg is on my top list of the best places I have visited since coming to Europe. Small, clean town not too crowded even though our tour guide informed us that there are 140,000 Heidelbergers, on top the three million visitors per year, was vibrant with life! The cobblestone roads and narrow pathways were very clean, something I have not been used to seeing in Europe, and the vendors in the Christmas markets were very friendly and surprisingly, they spoke English as a matter of fact. Other than the knickknacks in the markets, I did not feel like a stranger at all. Sherell, Macy, Tyler C and myself decided to have lunch at the Subway, I was in line when the person behind me asked me where we were from, to my surprise he was from the State of Washington, and he too was visiting Heidelberg, the employees at the Subway spoke English too, we really felt like we were home, then later we went to Starbucks, now seriously, for a minute I forgot I was in Europe.
Finally we took the cable car and up we went to the ruins of the 15th Century Castle. Sadly we were not in the company of a tour guide, so we could not see the actual rooms of the castle, but we visited the museum and read quite a bit on the history of pharmaceutical engineering. Looking at the many gadgets that the pharmacists of a long time ago used to use in creation of medicament's, it is unbelievable how far this industry has come. Looking just at the structure of the castle, the blocks of stones that were used to build it, I concur with the tour guide's information that Heidelberg was completely burned down during the war, the only remaining thing was the castle.
If I was asked where in Europe I would like to return for a personal trip, definitely without a doubt, it would be Heidelberg. The street adjacent to the river by itself is enough attraction to just stand and watch the boats moving slowly on the waters, and the bridge across the river gives one a whole view of the city of Heidelberg, even though the tour guide said the houses and apartments across the river "the sunshine place" are very expensive, I would wish to live on that side of Heidelberg, if ever I decided to come back to Heidelberg.
All in all our visit was very enjoyable and very fulfilling. - Caroline
Finally we took the cable car and up we went to the ruins of the 15th Century Castle. Sadly we were not in the company of a tour guide, so we could not see the actual rooms of the castle, but we visited the museum and read quite a bit on the history of pharmaceutical engineering. Looking at the many gadgets that the pharmacists of a long time ago used to use in creation of medicament's, it is unbelievable how far this industry has come. Looking just at the structure of the castle, the blocks of stones that were used to build it, I concur with the tour guide's information that Heidelberg was completely burned down during the war, the only remaining thing was the castle.
If I was asked where in Europe I would like to return for a personal trip, definitely without a doubt, it would be Heidelberg. The street adjacent to the river by itself is enough attraction to just stand and watch the boats moving slowly on the waters, and the bridge across the river gives one a whole view of the city of Heidelberg, even though the tour guide said the houses and apartments across the river "the sunshine place" are very expensive, I would wish to live on that side of Heidelberg, if ever I decided to come back to Heidelberg.
All in all our visit was very enjoyable and very fulfilling. - Caroline
What's up with us?
It’s becoming more difficult for me to think of blog entry topics! (It's a real shame that I don’t want to lump my peers into one homogeneous group and chastise/ complain about them.)
I suppose it is worth mentioning that we had our last group excursion yesterday, to Heidelberg, Germany. This was our first “cultural” excursion in quite some time and therefore it felt kind of random/ unusual. On the bright side, it was a nice change of pace from independent travel, institutional visits, and university happenings. However, I felt quite tired. I don’t think I was physically tired, just tired of travelling. I didn’t think I would get to that point, but it happened. It just felt almost like a chore to get on the bus and participate with the plans for the day. I was fully aware of how difficult I was making the day for myself and did my best to get around that funk. In the end, I really enjoyed the day. I think I learned a lot. I got to experience my first German Christmas market, visit (but not really visit) a castle, and learn more about the German language. It was certainly an interesting day.
Overall, I think that if we're growing, we're changing.. people don't stay the same..
I guess what I'm try to say is that it's been quite an experience so far. I've learned a lot about myself and about others throughout all my travels. Even if I'm feeling tired, I know it's important to make every minute matter, and to reflect on everything that I've been experiencing.
Peace.
-Maria
I suppose it is worth mentioning that we had our last group excursion yesterday, to Heidelberg, Germany. This was our first “cultural” excursion in quite some time and therefore it felt kind of random/ unusual. On the bright side, it was a nice change of pace from independent travel, institutional visits, and university happenings. However, I felt quite tired. I don’t think I was physically tired, just tired of travelling. I didn’t think I would get to that point, but it happened. It just felt almost like a chore to get on the bus and participate with the plans for the day. I was fully aware of how difficult I was making the day for myself and did my best to get around that funk. In the end, I really enjoyed the day. I think I learned a lot. I got to experience my first German Christmas market, visit (but not really visit) a castle, and learn more about the German language. It was certainly an interesting day.
Overall, I think that if we're growing, we're changing.. people don't stay the same..
I guess what I'm try to say is that it's been quite an experience so far. I've learned a lot about myself and about others throughout all my travels. Even if I'm feeling tired, I know it's important to make every minute matter, and to reflect on everything that I've been experiencing.
Peace.
-Maria
Heidelberg
Yesterday we went on our final group excursion to Heidelberg, Germany. It was a very cute town but I could never see myself living there because it was incredibly touristy. The parts that I enjoyed were the delicious food at the Christmas markets as well as the giant, half-destroyed castle that is sitting on the hill. What I didn't enjoy was being sick and surrounded by hundreds of Asian tourists.
The Christmas markets did remind me that I will be back in the United States by the time Christmas arrives. While I would not mind staying in Europe and spending Christmas here, I am looking forward to seeing my family again. Spending Thanksgiving here was a lot of fun but it was the first time during this entire trip that I missed home. When I arrive in the US, it will be 21 December and my family will already be running around crazy trying to get everything ready for Christmas Ever and Christmas Day. There will be a lot of unnecessary cleaning and cooking but I am hoping to opt out with jet-lag as my excuse.
The first few weeks in Strasbourg I talked to my friends almost everyday and we talked about what we would do when I got back. Now that it is getting close to me returning, it seems like we have started the pattern over again but it is more exciting because I know it won't be very long. Of course I will miss all the people I met here but I see it as an excuse to come back.
-Rachel Cooper
The Christmas markets did remind me that I will be back in the United States by the time Christmas arrives. While I would not mind staying in Europe and spending Christmas here, I am looking forward to seeing my family again. Spending Thanksgiving here was a lot of fun but it was the first time during this entire trip that I missed home. When I arrive in the US, it will be 21 December and my family will already be running around crazy trying to get everything ready for Christmas Ever and Christmas Day. There will be a lot of unnecessary cleaning and cooking but I am hoping to opt out with jet-lag as my excuse.
The first few weeks in Strasbourg I talked to my friends almost everyday and we talked about what we would do when I got back. Now that it is getting close to me returning, it seems like we have started the pattern over again but it is more exciting because I know it won't be very long. Of course I will miss all the people I met here but I see it as an excuse to come back.
-Rachel Cooper
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