I could never take any of this for granted. I can’t believe I’ve traveled as much as I have. So far I’ve been to Paris, Amsterdam, and Italy.  Hungary is coming up for Thanksgiving break. I think it’s so easy to get caught up in it all. I would be lying if I didn’t say the hype of traveling around Europe get me. I mean how could I not if I’m here! I just have to remember I’ll be back here to Europe.

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When I had to choose my housing for this semester, I wasn’t sure what type of accommodation I wanted to live in.  I’ve always been interested in the idea of living in a homestay, yet at the same time moving in with another family is an intimidating prospect.  To make my decision I read through the details of each housing option, spoke with a few alumni of the program, and decided on an apartment.

A week off school in the middle of the semester? Music to a study abroad student’s ear! Golden Week in China is a national holiday where most are off work and all students are out of class to celebrate the founding of the current government, The People’s Republic of China. Every year, the first week of October is filled with travel, festivals, and visiting family. Beware however, with over 720 million people (about half China’s population) traveling you are in for a busy commute wherever you decide to go.

I come from a very small college where there isn't a lot to do on the weekends. In Vienna, there is no shortage of activites. However after a hard week of courses, sometimes you just want to get away and take a break. One of my favorite things about Vienna, is how central the location is! Traveling and seeing the rest of the world has never been easier! There are so many options and places to see, why not travel why you are in Europe?

There is a hurricane in Barcelona. I can see it from my plane window. We’ve been hovering over the city for an hour already. The turbulence is insane. I feel like I’m on a roller coaster. People around me scream every time lightning strikes. 

When I decided to come to Milan, I also made the choice to participate in an internship. For the last five years, the fashion industry has fascinated me. I read about it in my free time and look at the new collections when they are released. As such, I asked for a placement with a fashion company, if possible. I was lucky enough to end up getting an interview with a luxury menswear accessories company called Sera Fine Silk.

I’ve gotten to the point where when I’m traveling and get off the plane, I am thankful to be back in Paris again, because it has truly become my home. Seeing the Eiffel Tower as I land is a comforting sight. I have developed a daily routine and still find new things to explore in Paris every day.

For the last weekend of October I met up in Venice, Italy, with four of my closest friends from Occidental to celebrate Isabel's twenty-first birthday. I know I've said it before but I want to say it again: I am a very lucky person. On Friday, Ellen, Isabel and I flew into Venice (one of the most beautiful arial views of a city I have ever seen- the canals of Venice visible as a huge network of veins), bringing all of our belongings to our AirBnb on the mainland off of Venice.

In my last post, I wrote of my effort to see more than the top tourist attractions in the cities that we experience.  The results of this effort have been immensely rewarding.  I will carry these stories and friendships with me for years to come.