City of Freiburg
shopping!
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Fertig
The week had finally hit and I was swamped with papers, presentations, exams, and a Model EU to prepare for. No more traveling for Molly. Over the course of the semester, I realized I wrote 12 papers, presented 3 presentations, and taken 10 exams, but also went to 23 cities and 9 different countries. Now who could say that they did all of that within 5 months? Over this past semester I learned a wide ranging of topics from within the European Union including: Cohesion Policy, Common Agriculture Policy (CAP), Environmental Policy, Competition Policy, Home and Foreign Affairs Policy, and many more. Plus, I enhanced my German speaking skills, but barely enough to speak fluently with someone. “Wie geht’s?” (What’s up) and “Nacht eins bier, bitte” (one more beer please) are pretty much all the phrases I needed to know. Lastly, the Model EU (which is like Model UN) took 2½ days and I was the Head of State for the country of Spain. It was a great way to end the semester and apply all that you learned with your fellow class mates representing one of the27 member countries within the EU.
Overall, I enjoyed my professors and found wonderful friends that I will never forget. I will miss it all. The last weekend went by the fastest. On Saturday, the program treated us to a final hike in the Black Forest and a lovely German meal afterwards.
On Monday, we had a last farewell party with champagne and a slideshow with the program.
(Here is the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UYzTZ-MzS_A )
Everything that the program treated us to was unbelievable and unlike other programs in other countries. Freiburg and IES, thank you for providing me with so much.
The last night arrived and I had another yummy German meal, Schnitzel and Spatzle, with my best friend from the program, Rachael Williams, and her parents and great roommates.
Later on we went to meet up with our friends and before I knew it I was waking up the next morning checking out. Next destination: Zurich Airport to fly home to good old Evanston, Illinois.
Overall, I enjoyed my professors and found wonderful friends that I will never forget. I will miss it all. The last weekend went by the fastest. On Saturday, the program treated us to a final hike in the Black Forest and a lovely German meal afterwards.
On Monday, we had a last farewell party with champagne and a slideshow with the program.
(Here is the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UYzTZ-MzS_A )
Everything that the program treated us to was unbelievable and unlike other programs in other countries. Freiburg and IES, thank you for providing me with so much.
The last night arrived and I had another yummy German meal, Schnitzel and Spatzle, with my best friend from the program, Rachael Williams, and her parents and great roommates.
Later on we went to meet up with our friends and before I knew it I was waking up the next morning checking out. Next destination: Zurich Airport to fly home to good old Evanston, Illinois.
Saturday, May 7, 2011
A European Spring Break/Croatia, A Poor Man's Greece
After the weekend with my parents, I had a couple papers to turn in to my teachers. When Friday came around, spring break was officially here. This whole semester I was looking forward to a week of relaxation, fun, and enjoyable time with some friends without having papers, articles, or homework dwelling over my shoulder. Croatia was the perfect antidote to all my problems.
A group of ten of us decided to stay in a villa less than 20 meters from the coast of the Adriatic Sea in Podstrana, a town right outside Split. The view from our villa was absolutely magnificent, but first we took a little pit stop in Cologne, Germany before we flew out to Croatia.
For the half a day we had in Cologne, we seemed to cover a lot of ground. We attempted to go to mass in the DOM for Good Friday, but missed the 3 o’clock mass (the time when Jesus died on the cross) and unfortunately the next one wasn’t until Sunday. Still, the church itself…after seeing many churches in Europe…was a site to see. After going through lots of construction, and reconstruction due to the 70 hits in WWII, the church still stands. Here are a few pics I took while strolling through the city:
When we arrived, I could not believe how different the country looked compared to others. It really did look like I was in Greece, but instead I was outside of the EU and in up and coming Croatia (after past war history).
During the week we had a chance to explore the city of Split and its delicious restaurants, hand-made jewelry at various the markets, and the ancient buildings on every street. Oh, and yes, I did take advantage of the nightlife there, but like always we all stuck together as a safety precaution if anything were to happen. ☺ Another day we went to Omis, which in the 13th and 14th century was considered a pirate town. There we hiked up a fortress and took a boat through the canyons on the River Cetina. For the rest of the days, I was able to achieve my goal of doing nothing, just relaxing on the white rocky beach. Where in American can spring breaks provide you with the all of the above? Nowhere. Thanks Europe, you never stop to amaze me!
At our lovely villa...:
In the city of Split...:
At Omis...:
A group of ten of us decided to stay in a villa less than 20 meters from the coast of the Adriatic Sea in Podstrana, a town right outside Split. The view from our villa was absolutely magnificent, but first we took a little pit stop in Cologne, Germany before we flew out to Croatia.
For the half a day we had in Cologne, we seemed to cover a lot of ground. We attempted to go to mass in the DOM for Good Friday, but missed the 3 o’clock mass (the time when Jesus died on the cross) and unfortunately the next one wasn’t until Sunday. Still, the church itself…after seeing many churches in Europe…was a site to see. After going through lots of construction, and reconstruction due to the 70 hits in WWII, the church still stands. Here are a few pics I took while strolling through the city:
When we arrived, I could not believe how different the country looked compared to others. It really did look like I was in Greece, but instead I was outside of the EU and in up and coming Croatia (after past war history).
During the week we had a chance to explore the city of Split and its delicious restaurants, hand-made jewelry at various the markets, and the ancient buildings on every street. Oh, and yes, I did take advantage of the nightlife there, but like always we all stuck together as a safety precaution if anything were to happen. ☺ Another day we went to Omis, which in the 13th and 14th century was considered a pirate town. There we hiked up a fortress and took a boat through the canyons on the River Cetina. For the rest of the days, I was able to achieve my goal of doing nothing, just relaxing on the white rocky beach. Where in American can spring breaks provide you with the all of the above? Nowhere. Thanks Europe, you never stop to amaze me!
At our lovely villa...:
In the city of Split...:
At Omis...:
Sunday, April 24, 2011
A short visit mit meine Eltern
After a wonderful week and a half in Rome, Madrid, and Barcelona… and four months since I arrived in Freiburg, my parents finally made it here. Nothing felt better than to see their faces when I met them Tuesday afternoon in the cobblestone streets of Freiburg.
While they were here, I took them to one of the few local breweries, Feierling, ate at one of the fanciest restaurants in all of Freiburg, The Columbi Hotel, and took a trip to the Black Forest for a great lunch and some tasty local wine. Plus, they saw where I study, sleep, and eat, and they even met some of my new best friends from the program.
Then they were off to Colmar, France until I joined them again in Strasbourg, France for the weekend. That weekend I was feeling a little under the weather, so having my parents there was perfect timing. At our hotel I took advantage of the sauna and rested up. (Good thing I was not in Freiburg because that same weekend there was a bar crawl through Freiburg with my program. No way would I have woken up and made it through that!) Still, Strasbourg was beautiful: the church, the canals, and the shops; the food was delicious: the crepes, the wine, foie gras, steak tartar; EVERYTHING!
Sunday morning I had to say goodbye to them until I would meet them again in a month. Until then, I have only a few weekends left: Spring Break in Split, Croatia (can’t wait!) and then two weekends in Freiburg: one weekend to study for finals and another for Model EU. Tuesday, May 17th is when the program is all over. Ahhhhh
Monday, April 18, 2011
Barcelona...So when can i come back?
Here are a few pictures to look at until I have time to write in my experience about the beautiful city of Barcelona... :
One of the many well renown buildings done by Gaudi, a Catalonian architect
At the Sagrada Familia, a Roman Catholic Church still a work in progress
But simply amazing and worth seeing
More views from the inside
At the bar Opium Mar for a Laidback Luke Concert (he is a DJ for those of you who are wondering)
At the beach with my friends... it was a really nice day out to relax (after eating a nice lunch of paella of course)!
One of the many well renown buildings done by Gaudi, a Catalonian architect
At the Sagrada Familia, a Roman Catholic Church still a work in progress
But simply amazing and worth seeing
More views from the inside
At the bar Opium Mar for a Laidback Luke Concert (he is a DJ for those of you who are wondering)
At the beach with my friends... it was a really nice day out to relax (after eating a nice lunch of paella of course)!
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Madrid and its Beautiful Architecture
After being in a city with monuments dating back to 27 BC, Madrid had a very different vibe. I could definitely tell I was in Spain with its architecture. Around Plaza Mayor (created around the 1560s), I could see many traditional buildings.... take a look:
I was also pleased to see an actual bullring, Las Ventas, as well as see gorgeous flowers at the Botanical Gardens and various pieces of art in Museo del Prado. Plus, I got to have one of my college friends show me a great tapas restaurant, El Tigre, and the local bars and clubs near Plaza del Sol. Very enjoyable.
On the other hand, It was depressing to hear their average unemployment was around twenty percent and for young adults ages 18-25 it was up to forty percent! Spain’s economy is not very healthy, but because it is a hot country and has lots of wind, solar panels and windmills will play a huge role in its future infrastructure. Still, Spain’s citizens are surprisingly one of the happiest people in the world in terms of their quality of life. Must be because of all their siestas.
Oh, and since one of our meetings got canceled, we had the opportunity to see the city of Toledo. Very cool, but small place gated with walls enclosing within it synagogues, Mosques, and churches. If you are looking to buy a nice sword or a rifle, don’t be afraid to look here mi amigo. I know my dad would like to visit this place for sure.
I was also pleased to see an actual bullring, Las Ventas, as well as see gorgeous flowers at the Botanical Gardens and various pieces of art in Museo del Prado. Plus, I got to have one of my college friends show me a great tapas restaurant, El Tigre, and the local bars and clubs near Plaza del Sol. Very enjoyable.
On the other hand, It was depressing to hear their average unemployment was around twenty percent and for young adults ages 18-25 it was up to forty percent! Spain’s economy is not very healthy, but because it is a hot country and has lots of wind, solar panels and windmills will play a huge role in its future infrastructure. Still, Spain’s citizens are surprisingly one of the happiest people in the world in terms of their quality of life. Must be because of all their siestas.
Oh, and since one of our meetings got canceled, we had the opportunity to see the city of Toledo. Very cool, but small place gated with walls enclosing within it synagogues, Mosques, and churches. If you are looking to buy a nice sword or a rifle, don’t be afraid to look here mi amigo. I know my dad would like to visit this place for sure.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)