As the former vice president of Leadership for the Hillel Jewish Center at UT and the former president of a Jewish social group on campus, I found myself in quite an ironic position when I landed in Granada and realized I never checked the ~Jew Situation~ here.  More specifically, when I realized that there isn’t a Jewish community in Granada at all. My transition from going to Shabbat dinner every Friday night, celebrating every holiday, and speaking Hebrew on the day-to-day to not doing any of those things was swift and a bit shocking.

By the very last week, I was ready to come home. Two of my finals were due the Tuesday and Thursday, respectively, before I was to catch a 9 a.m. flight on Saturday morning.

I’ve just finished up my first two weeks here in Ireland, and they were definitely full of stories and adventures I’ll never forget. After arriving in Dublin I spent the night in a hostel and had orientation the next morning before getting on a bus with the ten other acting students and heading to Killarney. We took a quick stop about half way through at the Barack Obama Plaza and then got into Killlarney where we were dropped off at the House we would be living in for the next two weeks.

Amsterdam, famous for its bikes and canals, is home to some of the most priceless art in the world. I have had the privilege of visiting countless museums in the city and in other parts of the Netherlands. Dutch artists are famous for their religious depictions, portraits, landscapes, and Delft pottery and these are just a few of my favorite pieces I saw in Amsterdam during my semester abroad. 

1.  Girl with the Pearl Earring 

Location: The Mauritshuis House (The Hague, The Netherlands) 

Artist: Johannes Vermeer  

One celebration that CANNOT be missed in the Netherlands is April 27th… KING’S DAY! I had never heard of King’s Day prior to coming to Amsterdam. I knew that the Dutch national color was orange but didn’t know it was linked to the first king of the Netherlands—Willem who was the Prince of Nassau and Orange! This day celebrates the current king, King Willem’s, birthday throughout all of the Netherlands.The whole country breaks out in festival and spirit to commemorate the day.

It’s kind of funny to think that I’m studying abroad while studying abroad. To clear up any confusion, I have lived in Accra, Ghana, for most of my life and I moved to the US in 2021 for university. I’m considered by most of my family and friends as someone who is studying abroad. Yet this study abroad feels a little different. I get excited about traveling. It’s the main reason why I decided to study abroad this summer—second to completing my French credits of course.

The past week has been a frenzy of activity and excessive heat in Amsterdam. As the sun beats down, the city comes alive with a vibrant fusion of flea markets and artistic wonders. Other than sweating in the heat, I've also stumbled across treasures in the midst of the chaos. Amsterdam is the place to be surrounded by art while exploring the alluring world of bargain hunting.

Over the past week, I have been outside more than I have this past month. In Amsterdam, I have really come to appreciate the sustainable lifestyle that is encouraged and lived throughout the Netherlands. I witnessed the extraordinary efforts and endeavors made by the people of Amsterdam to create a more green and sustainable society, which has left me with a lasting impression of this progressive attitude toward sustainability in my own community.