Goodbye Study Abroad!

I can’t believe studying abroad is already over! Packing up all of my things and saying goodbye to the city I called home for six weeks was definitely bittersweet. As my time in Amsterdam has come to an end, here are some of my favorite things that I will miss. 

The Food

• Amsterdam’s food scene completely won me over. There is such a wide variety of food options, so I never felt like I was stuck eating the same things over and over. Some of my favorite Dutch food items were poffertjes and bitterballen. Aside from Dutch food, Amsterdam has so many international options as well that I fell in love with. I found myself eating Thai food often, especially after class. 

The Markets

• One of my favorite routines was going to the market to get fresh fruits, hummus, and pita. During the week, I typically went to either the Ten Katemarkt or the Albert Cuyp Market. Back home in the United States, I rarely have access to markets like these, and I typically have to resort to supermarkets where the items just aren’t as tasty and don’t last as long.

A Walkable, Liveable City

• Although I missed my car, I enjoyed living in a walkable city. Everything was extremely accessible when I ventured to the center of the city. 

Taking Classes in a New Country

• Studying and taking classes in a different country was a refreshing change from how I typically approach learning. Something that I appreciated the most was all of the field trips we got to go on. I enjoyed taking tours around the city with my class and learning about the history of Amsterdam. I also learned to step out of my comfort zone in class. With such small and intimate classes, you become comfortable with your classmates and sharing your opinions.

The Canals and Scenery

• Overall, Amsterdam as a whole was breathtaking. I never got tired of seeing the canals as I walked around the city or watched the sunset. The architecture was gorgeous as well, which is something I don’t always get to see in the United States.

The Shopping

• The shopping scene in Amsterdam was amazing. There are so many different shopping areas that have so many stores to choose from. I found a lot of clothing items and souvenirs that I can’t wait to give out to all of my friends and family!

Being Spontaneous with Friends

• One of the best things about being abroad was being able to be spontaneous. Whether it was trying a new food spot or wandering around the city, there was always freedom and fun attached to it. There was no pressure or overthinking when it came to planning things with friends because we were all enjoying Amsterdam and everything it had to offer.

It’s surreal to think that this is my last blog post! Studying abroad has been such an amazing experience, and while I am excited for whatever comes next, my favorite moments will undoubtedly stick with me.