Getting sick is never a good experience, but it seems even more inconvenient than ever when you are in a different country with unfamiliar surroundings. I was able to avoid having to make any doctor's visits for months, until the beginning of May rolled around and I knew that this was about to change. Read along to hear about my experience!

Before we returned home, we talked about the “W” curve—how there would be lots of ups and downs when we returned home. Personally, I was really looking forward to coming home as I missed my family, friends, and community and it was difficult to be so far away for such a long time. Our program ran a little longer than others so it was challenging to feel far away once my friends returned from their travels. 

Things to Know About Dutch University 

Coming into study abroad, I knew that I would be attending one of the top schools in the Netherlands. I was enrolled in one class through IES Abroad called “Highlights of Dutch Art” which I absolutely loved. I selected classes that were as close as I could get to my major at Vrije Universiteit. Going to university in the Netherlands was one of the biggest shockers during my study abroad experience. 

I was such a fan of Italy that I had to go back and visit a second time. For this trip to Italy, the destination was: Venice! Venice has always been on my bucket list, and due to global warming, I was eager to see the city before any effects due to rising sea levels. The trip was only three days, but we managed to see so much of the city. I was very fortunate to have a friend who studied abroad in Venice, and she was able to give me so many great recommendations of things to do and see.

Eager to see the surrounding countries close to the Netherlands, we booked a semi-spontaneous trip to Belgium! One of the things on my study abroad bucket list was to see Brugge, Belgium and I knew I had to go before I went home! Trains to other countries had been too expensive to book, but the NS system had affordable trains to Belgium. 

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