Betsy Barthelemy
I was very fortunate to have the opportunity to briefly study abroad in Japan (several cities) and do community service work in Riobamba, Ecuador, while in high school, effectively biting me with the travel bug. At school, I major in English and minor in anthropology, but also enjoy taking classes in linguistics, photography, Japanese, and theater. When I’m not in class, I’m probably in a chorale rehearsal, helping edit Macalester’s newspaper, working at the cafe across the street, or baking cookies.
Blogs by Betsy Barthelemy
Pack Light, and Pack Right: Advice to Prepare for a Semester to Remember
From researching the weather to opening a bank account to taking as many photos as you can, here are a few words of advice from me and my classmates to future...
Mid-December Familiarity – Exploring the Holidays in Europe
Thousands of miles from home, I’m definitely not deprived of my favorite holiday. Here’s how I’ve gotten into the Christmas spirit from the Netherlands and...
All Hail the Day Trip – Seeing the Netherlands by Train
I may be studying abroad in Amsterdam, but my residence permit says The Netherlands. While exploring Europe, I’ve also made sure to take time this semester to...
I Amsterdam, But Not for Long — Coming to Terms with Time Running Out
This city and my experiences inside and outside of this city are continuing to define parts of who I am. To reflect, here are a few ways that I define Amsterdam...
3 Countries, 2 Bags, 1 Me — My Big Solo Trip
This is my attempt to neatly pack six days, six busses, four nights spent in hostels, three countries, a million steps, a few too many euros, 810 phone photos...
No Time is Wasted Time — Finding Safe Spaces Abroad
Studying abroad may be the experience of a lifetime, but it’s still life.
Ik Spreek Geen Nederlands — On Becoming a “Local”
I volunteered at an international festival and learned just how important a local language still is in a mostly-bilingual city. Now six weeks into my semester...
The Liberating Experience of Getting Lost
My first week in Amsterdam, I found myself alone on a bike in the middle of the city. As a novice to both the new city and the old form of transportation, my...
New Campus, New Country, Old Habits – Predeparture
As I prepare to start my semester at the University of Amsterdam, I’m calming my anxieties about going to a new school with 32,000 more students by bringing...