Two Worlds United

I am back home to Florida after my six week program in The Netherlands. It feels that my jet leg is finally recovered, 3 days later. It has taken longer than any other time, I am not sure if it was that or just a shock to be back home, away from, well my second home.

I really loved living in Utrecht and am definitely planning on getting back there at some point in my life. Right now, its my time to re-adjust and start the studies at University of Florida which start on Monday and I still have not moved to Gainesville. It all sorta seems like a dream to me, something I will wake up to because everything is happening so fast and so many great things have happened this summer. This experience has changed me and has helped me on the road to self-discovery in more ways that I could have imagined.

I met great people and have developed a different perspective, different tools to see the world around me. I know that anytime I will be lacking inspiration or motivation I will be able to flip through the photographs and remind myself that life is beautiful and it always goes on. The memories of this summer will never leave me. With that said I will post some pictures of the whole trip just to wrap up the post.

Peace and Love
-Monika

Last Week Approaching

Today we just returned from Biella, Italy. The bus ride was 17 hours too much, really uncomfortable even though there were some nice views. I seem very tired event though all I did was basically sleep on that bus, but it could be exhaustion from the whole week. There are some views from the bus on our way:

It was nice to see. Biella experience was not what I had expected. I was disappointed mostly if anything. The only day that I truly enjoyed was our trip to the mountains. The views were breathtaking and it was a refreshing break from everything just to sit in nature and absorb everything surrounding. Some pictures from the day:

Other than that we went to another small town Candello which was nice but nothing special. Food was disappointing I felt as though I had better Italian food in America, gelato was the best thing about the city in my opinion.
There are some other pictures we took at the factory we went to:

I am back in Utrecht now and it has been raining all day. I am hoping for better weather tomorrow so I could spend it in the city. The last week is approaching and I cannot believe I shared the past 5 weeks with my fellow classmates already. I am looking forward to see what the next week will bring.
Ciao!
-Monika

Thoughts before Biella

Last week we visited the Heineken Experience with our class. We learned about the history of the Heineken family, process of making the beer and even got to sample the amazing glass of it! I throughouly enjoyed the interactive activities and would definately recommend anyone to visit if there is a chance.

We also visited the flower auction with the class. The auction in Aalsmeer is the largest flower auction in the world. Saw the auction roons and many flower carts moving around, quite the experience! There are some pictures:

The other day our new friends from Netherlands cooked us a traditional Dutch dinner, it was nice. The Dutch people are lovely and have made the study abroad experience a lot nicer.

During the other nights, we just explore the town and try out new places. Hard to believe the study abroad experience is coming to an end.
I am currently packing for a week to Biella, Italy. It should be interesting, we will be there for a week visiting textile factories studying the business. Looking forward to it.

-Sincerely, Monika

Update from the Netherlands

I have not been able to blog much because of the variety of activities surrounding me.

Well to start off with, last weekend we visited Berlin. Just few friends and I decided to stay there for few nights. It was a great time. It’s a city filled with history, mystery, and we all had a great time.

We took a boat tour, which gave us a good view of the city from the side of the canals. We also visited few museums which were amazing. Cannot forget the Berlin Wall and the Check Point Charlie, so many things to see in Berlin I felt as in though there was not enough time. I loved Berlin, definitely a place I would like to come back to.
There are some pictures from the weekend:

In Utrecht, we started our second class which is European Business Skills. It is going well so far, we do not have a final exam or a book, basically just speakers coming in and a lot more group work which is fine with me. This class will also be taking place in Biella, Italy for a week.
Nothing else is happening so far. We are preparing for role plays for this week and I am planning on touring around Amsterdam for the weekend. Will update the blog later on.

Bye, until later!

-Monika

Settled In

Finally situated in Utrecht and adjusted to a new place.  Today was the official opening ceremony of the Utrecht University.

Yesterday was the Netherlands vs. Uruguay game. My luck Netherlands won 3-2! That was a first fun night, I am anxiously waiting to see what Sunday will bring.

Weather here has been warm, no rain, just sunny days, people are overly friendly. Today I bought a bike, it will be a great time seeing the city that way.

First destination out of Utrecht will be Brussels this Friday which I am excited about.

Until later

-Monika

Finally Departing

I leave in 3 hours and I cannot believe that tommorow I will be in Europe. I cannot stop smiling and waiting to see my family, friends and old familiar places. I hope I am not forgetting anything, since I will be going to Lithuania for 2 weeks, because my actual study abroad experience starts. I am waiting for school to start and learn all I possibly can over this summer. I just received an e-mail that my paperwork for change of program has not been altered in the system. I hope all of that plays out and everything will work out just the way it needs to.

Until later

-Monika