(no subject)
Oh, Holland. I am still loving it here.
Today I finally had one of those days where I tied up loose ends with homework (after missing class last week) and the weather was absolutely wonderful. And now I feel the urge to write a bit in my journal.
I'm listening to Bush's State of the Union address, seeing what all the fuss is about (I know I'm late--better than never, I suppose). Being here, I've been quizzed so much about my government and embarrassed to discover how much more Europeans know about my own government than I do. I'm constantly updated on the Race for Presidency and my friends here even have strong opinions about which they like better: Obama or Hillary. I choose Hillary, but it seems everyone's crazy about Obama, both here and back home.
Speaking of, today I wrote an email to my Study Abroad co-ordinator back in the States, and my brief update turned into a small rant about meeting other Americans over here, and how I almost worried about the future study abroad students, getting the wrong idea about European cultures, who should first and foremost learn how to respect a culture that is actually quite different from their own. I can't change anyone's thoughts, but only express my own. Before I left for Holland, we had a meeting with all study abroad students coming from my home university, and experienced study abroad students talked to us about their experiences and gave us tips. They told us about getting drunk and how it's good to know when the last train/bus takes you home, and to stay in groups cause when you're drunk, you're especially vulnerable, and also you won't really spend much money except on alcohol and traveling to other countries. Yes, I drink too, but a year-long stint of alcoholism doesn't sound like a very exciting story to share with the family.
That was a smattering of thoughts, but I can't quite piece together everything I'm trying to say. I didn't mean to make that all about alcohol--that's not even a fraction of my experience here.
It's so weird talking to my family back home. When I tell them about what is different here compared to back home, it's almost as if they don't quite believe me, but not even in the 'astonished and curious for more' way. I have this feeling they think Europe is identical to America... just typing that statement makes me want to explode. And honestly, after living here, I don't want to leave. Life is so much better here, as in, it's nothing like what I'm used to in America. The people, what they talk about, how they talk, how they dress, what they eat, how they eat (always using a knife and fork), the importance of weather (because you're always outside--no cars to ride in), public transportation (a train that can take me anywhere in the Netherlands--30 minutes to Amsterdam), the colors, the oldness, the history, the academia, seeing canals everywhere (something about seeing water keeps you feeling fresh and vibrant), the beautiful skies, the giant food markets on Wednesday and Saturday... the list goes on.
I'm not saying these feelings have to stop once I get home, and that's the main problem I'm facing right now. How can I maintain this positive feeling each day when I return to the States? I've grown up so much since I've been here. Will my friends be the same, will they have changed too?
I have a lot of questions and thoughts, plus many fears about returning back home.
Today I finally had one of those days where I tied up loose ends with homework (after missing class last week) and the weather was absolutely wonderful. And now I feel the urge to write a bit in my journal.
I'm listening to Bush's State of the Union address, seeing what all the fuss is about (I know I'm late--better than never, I suppose). Being here, I've been quizzed so much about my government and embarrassed to discover how much more Europeans know about my own government than I do. I'm constantly updated on the Race for Presidency and my friends here even have strong opinions about which they like better: Obama or Hillary. I choose Hillary, but it seems everyone's crazy about Obama, both here and back home.
Speaking of, today I wrote an email to my Study Abroad co-ordinator back in the States, and my brief update turned into a small rant about meeting other Americans over here, and how I almost worried about the future study abroad students, getting the wrong idea about European cultures, who should first and foremost learn how to respect a culture that is actually quite different from their own. I can't change anyone's thoughts, but only express my own. Before I left for Holland, we had a meeting with all study abroad students coming from my home university, and experienced study abroad students talked to us about their experiences and gave us tips. They told us about getting drunk and how it's good to know when the last train/bus takes you home, and to stay in groups cause when you're drunk, you're especially vulnerable, and also you won't really spend much money except on alcohol and traveling to other countries. Yes, I drink too, but a year-long stint of alcoholism doesn't sound like a very exciting story to share with the family.
That was a smattering of thoughts, but I can't quite piece together everything I'm trying to say. I didn't mean to make that all about alcohol--that's not even a fraction of my experience here.
It's so weird talking to my family back home. When I tell them about what is different here compared to back home, it's almost as if they don't quite believe me, but not even in the 'astonished and curious for more' way. I have this feeling they think Europe is identical to America... just typing that statement makes me want to explode. And honestly, after living here, I don't want to leave. Life is so much better here, as in, it's nothing like what I'm used to in America. The people, what they talk about, how they talk, how they dress, what they eat, how they eat (always using a knife and fork), the importance of weather (because you're always outside--no cars to ride in), public transportation (a train that can take me anywhere in the Netherlands--30 minutes to Amsterdam), the colors, the oldness, the history, the academia, seeing canals everywhere (something about seeing water keeps you feeling fresh and vibrant), the beautiful skies, the giant food markets on Wednesday and Saturday... the list goes on.
I'm not saying these feelings have to stop once I get home, and that's the main problem I'm facing right now. How can I maintain this positive feeling each day when I return to the States? I've grown up so much since I've been here. Will my friends be the same, will they have changed too?
I have a lot of questions and thoughts, plus many fears about returning back home.