I don’t even know where to begin with how the last week, specifically how the last weekend was. I was part of a group of about eight (7 when we went to Brugges) international students who ventured up to Belgium. Careful, this post could be a long one.
The venture to Belgium started early Friday morning, a little too early for me. Anyways, arriving in Brussels train station it was cold, wet, and pretty much miserable. This did not look like anything resembling any European city should look like in any of our minds. In fact, it reminded most of us of a set from a Cold War-era movie and we felt like we were in Soviet Russia. Pretty depressing. After walking around for about an hour we somehow made it to Grand Place, which is absolutely stunning. This was the Brussels I had wanted to see. This is what the “Capital of Europe” should look like. The rest of that day was spent mostly wandering around the Grand Place area and seeing the major sites before going and trying to find out hostel in the freezing rain and strong winds. It was not fun— we were all cold, wet and cranky, but the hostel was pretty nice and exactly what was needed.
The following day was the complete opposite of the first day in Brussels, pretty warm (for winter), blue skies and sunshine. This was the day where we tried to go see the city and the sites as much as possible. I did so much walking on Saturday, I’m still sore from it. There may not be as many well-known sites as like Paris, Rome or London but there is plenty to see. Since a decent majority of us are political science majors, we all decided to visit the EU headquarters, but we manage to stumble across some fairly large monuments within the city. One of the most impressive was La Palais de Justice. It is this absolutely huge building sitting on top of a hill overlooking the city. It was such a powerful site to see and very symbolic. Of course the entire time we were there it was hard not to mention why Belgium had the money to build this staggering building. Most of the larger buildings of the 19th century and early 20th are tied in very closely with wealth gathered from the Belgian colonies in Africa. It was always in the back of my mind. This was such a good day, exploring the city and actually getting to be tourists.
On that Sunday, we all left for Brugge (Bruges). This was such a beautiful city and there really isn’t any other way to describe it. It is very easy to see that the residents take pride in the city because of the lack of graffiti as well as lack of litter on the ground, even in the large tourist areas. The highlight of the day was climbing the winding staircase of the clock tower. The view from the top was magnificent and you could see all around. We even got the treat of having to hear the bells go off for what seemed too long. I can definitely tell you it was working. This was then completed by the very “Belgian” meal of fries with mayonnaise and a Bicky burger. The vendor was actually shocked that I ordered it when he realized I was an American. I think he may have thought I would have gone for the more “safe” choice, but I’m glad I didn’t. We ended up discussing politics and it seems like many people (or at least those who know I’m an American) love mentioning the fact that they approve of Obama or are glad he was elected. They definitely love him over here. (You can even buy a shirt in Brussels that says ‘Brussels’ with a picture of Obama on it—go figure).
Now for a quick (and more boring subject). I have managed to survive my classes. My political science classes are going to be my hardest ones since they are mostly in French and are dealing with some pretty difficult subjects in the fact that we’re discussing philosophies and questions of politics. It’ll be interesting to see if I can keep pace with all that is going on. It is very weird not having any reading or syllabus to follow and only meeting once a week—very, very weird. I won’t even complain about not having classes on Fridays. One of my favorite classes is shaping out to be American Foreign Policy (surprise, surprise), which is filled with a lot of French students, two of whom were exchange students at SNC last semester. We’re not covering anything too new to me so it’ll be my “fun” class. The history classes, either in French or in English, are just basic history classes though the one that’s for regular French students is way more interesting than the one for international students.
That was only a summary, and not a very brief one at that, but this week is shaping up to be a lot less busy. I’m starting to plan out my winter break trip to Barcelona and Rome (I think) as well as a couple of other shorter trips for the weekends.
Yum Yum: Belgian waffles DO taste better, in my opinion
Monday, January 26, 2009
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Testing, Testing... 1,2,3.
To keep this short...
So as some and some may not know, I went to Belgium this weekend. I went with 7 other people from La Catho (again, mostly Canadians and one German) for our first weekend trip of the semester. I spent Friday and Saturday in marvelous Brussels and then Sunday in Brugges. I had an absolute blast and I don't think I can even begin to put into words what an incredible weekend this has been.
However, I don't quite have the energy to even start to write about the weekend. This is merely to inform those back home that I have managed to survive Belgium and the weekend trip with no serious injury or complaint.
To all the St. Norbert people-- have a great start to the semester!
So as some and some may not know, I went to Belgium this weekend. I went with 7 other people from La Catho (again, mostly Canadians and one German) for our first weekend trip of the semester. I spent Friday and Saturday in marvelous Brussels and then Sunday in Brugges. I had an absolute blast and I don't think I can even begin to put into words what an incredible weekend this has been.
However, I don't quite have the energy to even start to write about the weekend. This is merely to inform those back home that I have managed to survive Belgium and the weekend trip with no serious injury or complaint.
To all the St. Norbert people-- have a great start to the semester!
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Ready, Set, Don't Go Too Fast!
So apparently in my last post, I spoke too soon. My classes did not go according to plan and was an entire mess by the end of the week. Basically, everything went to hell on Tuesday and it took until basically the end of Wednesday to get everything figured out. By the end of the week, it was just like… this is just the French being French. There are numerous occasions where I’ve thought that something hasn’t made any sense and there’s nothing I can do about because that’s just the way things are done here. Without sense.
I have a finalized schedule that cannot change and what a schedule it is!
Monday- 16th/17th Century British History, British Popular Culture
Tuesday- 16th/17th Century British History, Western Democracies, French History for International Students, French History
Wednesday- Translation, American/British Foreign Policy
Thursday- Political Question of the EU, Geography of France for International Students and French for International Students
That’s right, I have no classes on Friday. It makes getting through those really long days that much easier. And there’s only one class where I know no one, which is very helpful. I’m already learning to depend on people for their notes and help with homework since my French skills are very lacking. We had to take a placement test for our French class and one of the parts was listening. Let’s just say my ears are very rusty, especially when the speaker doesn’t take a breath for the entire time he was talking. I don’t think I’d even have that skill in English. Clearly, the art of pronunciation has been lost. The one class I am most looking forward to is American Foreign Policy and not just because it’s a class in English on America, but because it’s a new viewpoint of the actions of the United States abroad. I’m sure that will be most interesting. So far, I already know that I’ll have several oral finals as well as a couple projects. One of the most intimidating ones is a 20- minute presentation in Political Question about the differences between American federalism and European federalism. In French. I’m just a tad nervous. We also have to read a book on political thought for Western Democracies, but I’m choosing Democracy in America—a book that I have already supposedly read for American Political Thought last year. Maybe this time I’ll actually manage to finish the entire book.
If there’s one thing that isn’t difficult, it’s meeting people. I cannot tell you how many people I have met in such a short amount of time. And it’s just not the international students either. In my residence, there’s a decent mixture of French students along with international ones (as well as international students who I think are French) and we aren’t too divided. Never mind the fact that there are several other residences for students. I have made the long journey over to Foyer International to meet up with people. The kitchens are great tools for socialization and everything that goes along with it. The biggest adjustment is definitely trying to get used to eating at around 8 o’clock instead of around 5:30ish. But now I understand how my neighbors can stay out till 4 AM easily. But me, j’adore le sieste (I love the naps)!
Interesting Fact of the Post: The residence, Foyer Internations, used to be a hospital and the kitchen (where we hang out) was the morgue. Cool digs, eh?
I have a finalized schedule that cannot change and what a schedule it is!
Monday- 16th/17th Century British History, British Popular Culture
Tuesday- 16th/17th Century British History, Western Democracies, French History for International Students, French History
Wednesday- Translation, American/British Foreign Policy
Thursday- Political Question of the EU, Geography of France for International Students and French for International Students
That’s right, I have no classes on Friday. It makes getting through those really long days that much easier. And there’s only one class where I know no one, which is very helpful. I’m already learning to depend on people for their notes and help with homework since my French skills are very lacking. We had to take a placement test for our French class and one of the parts was listening. Let’s just say my ears are very rusty, especially when the speaker doesn’t take a breath for the entire time he was talking. I don’t think I’d even have that skill in English. Clearly, the art of pronunciation has been lost. The one class I am most looking forward to is American Foreign Policy and not just because it’s a class in English on America, but because it’s a new viewpoint of the actions of the United States abroad. I’m sure that will be most interesting. So far, I already know that I’ll have several oral finals as well as a couple projects. One of the most intimidating ones is a 20- minute presentation in Political Question about the differences between American federalism and European federalism. In French. I’m just a tad nervous. We also have to read a book on political thought for Western Democracies, but I’m choosing Democracy in America—a book that I have already supposedly read for American Political Thought last year. Maybe this time I’ll actually manage to finish the entire book.
If there’s one thing that isn’t difficult, it’s meeting people. I cannot tell you how many people I have met in such a short amount of time. And it’s just not the international students either. In my residence, there’s a decent mixture of French students along with international ones (as well as international students who I think are French) and we aren’t too divided. Never mind the fact that there are several other residences for students. I have made the long journey over to Foyer International to meet up with people. The kitchens are great tools for socialization and everything that goes along with it. The biggest adjustment is definitely trying to get used to eating at around 8 o’clock instead of around 5:30ish. But now I understand how my neighbors can stay out till 4 AM easily. But me, j’adore le sieste (I love the naps)!
Interesting Fact of the Post: The residence, Foyer Internations, used to be a hospital and the kitchen (where we hang out) was the morgue. Cool digs, eh?
Monday, January 12, 2009
Here, There and Everywhere
It’s official-- I’ve been here a full week and what a whirlwind week it has been. There’s almost too much to talk about, too many things that have happened or that are different (for better or for worse). It’s just not real. And every time I sit down and try to write what I see, it’s like there’s not enough time or words to fully describe anything and everything.
I arrived in Lille after a very long day on a train that did not disappoint me in both the other travelers as well as being much better than any American train, even with the rushed transfers and the train that had to be returned to the station. Let’s just say that my opinion that European trains are better than American trains remains true. Getting into the dorm was quite the experience. I don’t know if people haven’t thought it through or what was going on, but they don’t give you your key at the housing place, but you have to go pick it up at your dorm, which you need a key to get into. It’s a major Catch-22. And by the time I carried and dragged all my luggage through Vieux Lille (Old Lille), I was not happy to have to bang and knock on the door of my dorm. Needless to say, once I actually got into the dorm and settled in, I realized that I really am in Europe and in a pretty nice dorm. There are some things that take getting used to, but nothing that I can’t handle.
The whole of last week was basically running around during the day and then meeting up with other international students. I wish that could be like that every day because even I still don’t think I could learn to get around this city fully. It’s so much different than any city I’m really used to because of all the side streets, streets that don’t connect, and alleys that would be very helpful to know. I’m sure I’ll eventually figure out how to get around to the really important places, aka La Catho and the grocery store to give you some examples. I’m trying out a “new” way to get La Catho tomorrow… it should be interesting. My other huge excitement includes the fact that I have to cook for myself for the first time in my life. Knowing that, I think I’ve been relatively successful (though some may not believe it) cooking such a variety of dishes as chicken, grilled veggies, baked potatoes, and pasta. Pretty advanced for a learner, I’d say.
Let’s just say that there isn’t a shortage of international students here and we all can pretty much recognize each other, especially if we’re in FLSH. I think the class registration was a good bonding time since everyone was so confused and you had to help each other out because we have to put together a schedule that no French student would ever have, partially because we do take classes from a variety of academic areas. This, unfortunately (or fortunately) creates havoc when making a schedule and uneven class schedules for the semester. For instance, I go basically from 10:30 AM to 9 PM on Tuesdays, but then have no classes on Fridays. Today, being the first day of classes, can honestly say I think I prefer the system I am most used to, but I guess that’s natural and partly stems from the fact that international students have totally different schedules than the French students. But honestly, would an email saying that the classroom has been changed be really that hard? I think not.
So far in my one class, I know a couple people I met over the past week. I’m not sure for all of my classes, but I at least know one or two in most of them. I think that helps out a ton, but we’ll see when I end up in a class where I know no one. It’s bound to happen with at least one or two classes since I’m taking 10 classes this semester, though it may not. Living in the dorms and away from the other two people from St. Norbert has really been helpful in getting to know people. And the fact that there is a decent mixture of people that were here last semester as well as others that are new like me is reassuring. One, I won’t die over here or be emotionally scarred by the differences, but also that I’m not the only one in the boat.
This past week has brought about a lot of new and exciting experiences and I have no doubt that this next week will be just as interesting!
Interesting Experience: Market on Sunday... talk about sensory overload!
I arrived in Lille after a very long day on a train that did not disappoint me in both the other travelers as well as being much better than any American train, even with the rushed transfers and the train that had to be returned to the station. Let’s just say that my opinion that European trains are better than American trains remains true. Getting into the dorm was quite the experience. I don’t know if people haven’t thought it through or what was going on, but they don’t give you your key at the housing place, but you have to go pick it up at your dorm, which you need a key to get into. It’s a major Catch-22. And by the time I carried and dragged all my luggage through Vieux Lille (Old Lille), I was not happy to have to bang and knock on the door of my dorm. Needless to say, once I actually got into the dorm and settled in, I realized that I really am in Europe and in a pretty nice dorm. There are some things that take getting used to, but nothing that I can’t handle.
The whole of last week was basically running around during the day and then meeting up with other international students. I wish that could be like that every day because even I still don’t think I could learn to get around this city fully. It’s so much different than any city I’m really used to because of all the side streets, streets that don’t connect, and alleys that would be very helpful to know. I’m sure I’ll eventually figure out how to get around to the really important places, aka La Catho and the grocery store to give you some examples. I’m trying out a “new” way to get La Catho tomorrow… it should be interesting. My other huge excitement includes the fact that I have to cook for myself for the first time in my life. Knowing that, I think I’ve been relatively successful (though some may not believe it) cooking such a variety of dishes as chicken, grilled veggies, baked potatoes, and pasta. Pretty advanced for a learner, I’d say.
Let’s just say that there isn’t a shortage of international students here and we all can pretty much recognize each other, especially if we’re in FLSH. I think the class registration was a good bonding time since everyone was so confused and you had to help each other out because we have to put together a schedule that no French student would ever have, partially because we do take classes from a variety of academic areas. This, unfortunately (or fortunately) creates havoc when making a schedule and uneven class schedules for the semester. For instance, I go basically from 10:30 AM to 9 PM on Tuesdays, but then have no classes on Fridays. Today, being the first day of classes, can honestly say I think I prefer the system I am most used to, but I guess that’s natural and partly stems from the fact that international students have totally different schedules than the French students. But honestly, would an email saying that the classroom has been changed be really that hard? I think not.
So far in my one class, I know a couple people I met over the past week. I’m not sure for all of my classes, but I at least know one or two in most of them. I think that helps out a ton, but we’ll see when I end up in a class where I know no one. It’s bound to happen with at least one or two classes since I’m taking 10 classes this semester, though it may not. Living in the dorms and away from the other two people from St. Norbert has really been helpful in getting to know people. And the fact that there is a decent mixture of people that were here last semester as well as others that are new like me is reassuring. One, I won’t die over here or be emotionally scarred by the differences, but also that I’m not the only one in the boat.
This past week has brought about a lot of new and exciting experiences and I have no doubt that this next week will be just as interesting!
Interesting Experience: Market on Sunday... talk about sensory overload!
Thursday, January 1, 2009
New Year, New Continent
Happy New Year! This is quite the start to a new year for me since I was in mid-flight for the actual midnight hour (over Canada, to be exact). But 2009 didn’t look like it was going to start off quite as smooth as I wanted to. My day began earlier than I wished since I was flying internationally I would have to be at the Grand Rapids airport by 1:30 for the “three hour” rule. Well, whatever three hours they thought it would take me, didn’t. No, my check-in took a grand total of maybe three minutes. So, my parents and I had a nice long time to say good-bye and look at all the flights that were being delayed from Orlando, Denver, Columbus, but we thought that my flight would be perfectly safe. And it looked it, I said my final good-byes, went through security and was just sitting at the gate. This is where my trials and tribulations of living abroad began—in Grand Rapids. My plane was delayed, rather the actual plane was cancelled and the next flight in was in Charlotte. Perfect, there was no way short of me learning to fly that I would make my connection in Chicago for Amsterdam. Thankfully, I was relatively early in the line of panicked flyers, so the wait wasn’t too bad. Yes, while I was in line I was pissed off at the airline. But what could I do? Just hope that there was some way in hell via another city that I could get to Amsterdam. And United came through for me with a flight to Chicago, then London Heathrow and finally Amsterdam.
The flight to London was in one word: long. It didn’t start off very well either as the seat I was in had no working screen, only radio. Well, I couldn’t deal with that no matter how many drinks the guy next to me offered to buy to celebrate the New Year. No way, no how. I ended up switching seats that had a working screen but very soft volume (or I’m becoming extremely deaf). I did end up sitting next to a very interesting man from London (Uganda originally) and we ended up talking about the differences between the States and Europe slash England. This flight was no different from any of my other trans-Atlantic flights, meaning I received a tiny amount of sleep maybe fifteen minutes or a half hour if I was lucky. And I managed to get yelled at for using the wrong bathroom and I highly doubt that no one but that one flight attendant actually noticed, considering any normal person would be asleep. Towards the end of the flight, my neighbor and I started talking politics since he was reading several different magazines on Obama. He was shocked to learn that I was liberal. I, being the nerd I am, loved the conversation as he offered not only a European view of the election but also a view from an African. Though we mostly agreed on the huge difficulties that Obama has to conquer, I think he failed to understand the American political system. For instance, he didn’t understand why a “free” health care system wasn’t as welcomed in the States as it was here. Overall though, he was a much better neighbor than the original guy. But if I ever fly to London again, no way in hell am I taking United.
British Airways is by far my favorite I’ve decided at the end of the day. They don’t snap at you, they feed you somewhat reasonable food, and they don’t mess around. Once you’re in the air, you’re ready to go. The same goes with the end of the flight. This is business. All my luggage made it to Amsterdam and unharmed (yay!). That was a really big worry of mine that somewhere along the line, something would get lost. It’s just in my nature. One of my aunt’s friend slash y cousin’s friend’s mom came and picked me up from the airport (really super nice of her) so I got a late-Thanksgiving day meal and my first real food since the dinner on the United flight over. Writing this, I am exhausted as ever, but so glad that I made it. This first day might have been a little intense, but I have a feeling it’s just the beginning…
Highlights of Today: British Airways flight attendant saying “Cherrio”; Coca-cola = “A carbonated soft drink with fruit syrups”. And here I always just thought it was a way to get caffeine…
The flight to London was in one word: long. It didn’t start off very well either as the seat I was in had no working screen, only radio. Well, I couldn’t deal with that no matter how many drinks the guy next to me offered to buy to celebrate the New Year. No way, no how. I ended up switching seats that had a working screen but very soft volume (or I’m becoming extremely deaf). I did end up sitting next to a very interesting man from London (Uganda originally) and we ended up talking about the differences between the States and Europe slash England. This flight was no different from any of my other trans-Atlantic flights, meaning I received a tiny amount of sleep maybe fifteen minutes or a half hour if I was lucky. And I managed to get yelled at for using the wrong bathroom and I highly doubt that no one but that one flight attendant actually noticed, considering any normal person would be asleep. Towards the end of the flight, my neighbor and I started talking politics since he was reading several different magazines on Obama. He was shocked to learn that I was liberal. I, being the nerd I am, loved the conversation as he offered not only a European view of the election but also a view from an African. Though we mostly agreed on the huge difficulties that Obama has to conquer, I think he failed to understand the American political system. For instance, he didn’t understand why a “free” health care system wasn’t as welcomed in the States as it was here. Overall though, he was a much better neighbor than the original guy. But if I ever fly to London again, no way in hell am I taking United.
British Airways is by far my favorite I’ve decided at the end of the day. They don’t snap at you, they feed you somewhat reasonable food, and they don’t mess around. Once you’re in the air, you’re ready to go. The same goes with the end of the flight. This is business. All my luggage made it to Amsterdam and unharmed (yay!). That was a really big worry of mine that somewhere along the line, something would get lost. It’s just in my nature. One of my aunt’s friend slash y cousin’s friend’s mom came and picked me up from the airport (really super nice of her) so I got a late-Thanksgiving day meal and my first real food since the dinner on the United flight over. Writing this, I am exhausted as ever, but so glad that I made it. This first day might have been a little intense, but I have a feeling it’s just the beginning…
Highlights of Today: British Airways flight attendant saying “Cherrio”; Coca-cola = “A carbonated soft drink with fruit syrups”. And here I always just thought it was a way to get caffeine…
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