Time to Switch Gears

The study abroad is over. At least the 'study' part. Our simulation was on Friday, good bye dinner later that night and then we all started packing our bags in Krakow and saying our goodbyes. I didn't think I would be sad, since I wasn't leaving Europe, but some of the people I was with would.

"I'm stuck in Europe for 6 more weeks," I would say. Kind of jealous that people got to go home and see their friends. (I would say family too, but I'm off to Finland tomorrow to see my parents for a week.) But I committed to an internship, and committed to 13 weeks in Europe when I bought my flights. It's crazy how 13 weeks isn't that long, but I'm barely halfway done and I feel like I've been here for a good bit.

Arriving 'home' in Brussels today felt nice. It was really nice to see familiar places and go home- to my own room. It felt like I was just on vacation for a few weeks and it was just time to come home.

Anyways, the rest of the summer is just going to be "Time to Switch Gears." I'm going home to Finland and unwind from the site visits and hotel living, see my Finnish family and friends and then come back and be serious for some work. I graduate within a year, and I have an awesome internship where I will be making some awesome connections. Maybe grad school in Europe is starting to look a little more realistic day by day after all. Or perhaps even a real grown up job.

From Connecticut, to Manhattan, to Brussels

So this past week has been, well to say the least - interesting. Went to Connecticut, did the whole New England thing (which was AWESOME!). Visited Mystic Seaport with Lee. Walked aboard the oldest wooden functioning whaling ship, the Charles W. Morgan. Learned how to eat lobster (the appropriate restaurant way). Went and visited Yale in New Haven. It was almost a little depressing to walk around and seeing how beautiful their campus is in comparison to Georgia Tech.

On Friday, we went to Manhattan for the day since my flight left for Brussels that evening. Picked up sandwiches and had a picnic on a rock next to the pond in Central Park. What more could I ask for. Then we went downtown to see the construction of the Freedom Tower, walked around Battery Park and saw the Statue of Liberty. Perfect way to end the spring in the Americas before jet setting to Europa!

View from our picnic in Central Park

The flight to Brussels was good, no complications. I of course am not used to flying to Europe with such short distances (I usually leave from Atlanta so that buys me a couple more hours on the plane) but this flight was 6h 45min. That's cool and all, but I needed to finish my homework!!!! Like it was the first time I was legitimately a little upset about how short my flight was...

Anyways, made it safely in one piece to Gare Central, met up with the rest of the students and off we were to have lunch together and go home for the weekend with our families. I live in a French speaking family, which was intimidating at first, but I have yet to speak English! We went on a guided tour of Brussels yesterday so I am slowly catching on to how to get around here. It's crazy how I have very little sense of direction here, but put me in Paris and I can find my way home without a problem.

Belgian Waffles at the Cinquantenaire

Today was our first day of class (at ULB) and we went over very basic things. The history of the EU & European identity. We only have lecture this week, so it's hard to cram a semesters worth into 4 days. Today I decided to be lame after class and go running. My host brother asked me if I wanted him to show me how to get to the park... stubborn Jonna said no and went off on my own. I got lost. Go figure. I went running around in Etterbeek though, the neighborhood that I live in. There are some reaaaally nice houses!!

School is off to a good start so far! Day 1 down.

Finals are over, time to pack.

Finished my final French assignment today so it's time to switch gears!! I am leaving for the longest time ever, 3 months away from Georgia Tech!! I have confirmed my internship in Brussels, just received my itinerary for the school portion, planning out my trip to Finland, get to spend a day in NYC. I thought nothing would top summer 2011, yet I think it already has and I haven't even gotten on a plane yet.

MY NEW BACKPACK!!!

Also, the most amusing part of all. I'm leaving for 3 months and bringing one backpack. (Last year I brought a HUGE suitcase, duffle bag + huge purse for 2 months.) But I'm really excited to see if I can do this!

But there's also pre-trip homework. Just opened it up and well, let's just say I'm not going to look at it again until Monday. I need a weekend off from school work. :)

Already planning the return

"Everyday is a Journey, and the Journey itself is Home."

Been back in the good old USA for a couple months now, and I sat still just long enough to figure out where I'm going next...

Summer 2012

Brussels, Belgium

+

Paris, France

+

Berlin, Germany

+

Krakow, Poland

=

European Union Studies 

I can't wait! I've only been to Paris out of those places, so I will actually be able to experience new places (and even knock off two countries on my world map). I've only flown through Belgium, which I guess you can count those, but I have never been to Poland.

♥ Jonna