On Island Time
Snorkeling at Leon Dormido off of San Cristobal Island
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The Past Two Weeks
These past two weeks have been full of research for two courses, with two papers and a project due, it has been busy. Today I had some time to think seriously about what it means for me to be in Amsterdam. I think the highlight of this semester is the freedom I am allowed; no limits on where I can go, what I can do, who I can meet, or the stories that I have access to. I am happy.
On the Road Again
Here I sit at my desk for the first time in what feels like ages. Freiburg is bustling with thousands of college students like I’ve never seen it before. At the start of September, I was greeted by a quaint, but quiet city. Now, it’s in full blast. The restaurants and bars are bustling, the tram is often packed, and the streets are abuzz with excitement. Students enjoy an extended holiday through the months of August, September and some of October in Germany.
Back to School, Ring the Bell
My time in Freiburg is flying! Everyday still feels new which is hard to believe now that I am in my seventh week in Germany. Most significantly, though, I officially have a Tandem Partner! Now, a Tandem Partner is provided through a partnership with the IES Abroad Program and the Pädogogische Hochschule in Freiburg. This University is for students who intend to be teachers eventually.
Omanto Matsuri [おまんと(駆け馬)祭り]
Omanto matsuri (おまんと祭) takes place right next to my host dad’s family home and is a very important matsuri for his family. During this matsuri, horses are brought into a ring to run around it as young men try to grab onto the horse and run with it. My host mother told me that the longer they hold on, the more luck they have. She also told me that my host dad participated until he broke his arm one year. Despite how dangerous it sounds, it was very interesting to watch.
Post #5: Concertgebouw Experience
Concertgebouw is the main performance hall for classical music in Amsterdam. The Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra regularly performs there, as well as other European orchestras. As a conservatory student here, we are lucky to have such a world-renowned orchestra and concert hall right here in our backyard!
Post #4: Traveling Around Europe for Fall Break
The Conservatorium van Amsterdam has a two week break for the orchestra project, so I decided to do some solo traveling! October is a great month to visit the Alps. I started in France, then Northern Italy, then Switzerland. It was a great experience traveling alone. It could be scary at some times, but I always ended up finding nice people to help me along the way. I really enjoyed seeing mountains and experiencing other European cultures.
How Should I Spend My Money?
In general, going abroad to study is a pricey ordeal for everyone except the lucky few with mythical things called “full scholarships that include airfare.” If you’re like me, that is just a dream that unfortunately did not come to fruition. So, like many others, I’ve had to become very aware of how and where I’m spending my money for two reasons: 1) I don’t want to run out of money while I’m 7,000 miles from home and, 2) budgeting wisely can actually help you have more fun in the long run. So why does such a tedious task matter?
Living in a Homestay
Picking a homestay has certain rewards and certain drawbacks when compared with dorm accommodations, and each become increasingly apparent over the course of the semester. Starting with the positives, having a host family to come home to every night does a great job of helping you forget homesickness.
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