My Semester Abroad

My Semester Abroad

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LondonLondon is easily the best city in Europe. With so many historic landmarks, street markets, and free museums, after three months of living there I could still find new places to explore. When I first arrived in London I was nervous that my school was far from all the major attractions, but soon realized It was located right outside the City of London (the square mile the romans settled in) and just a few tube stops from Westminster palace, Buckingham palace, the London Eye, Saint Paul’s Cathedral, and many other landmarks.

One of my favorite classes at London, comprised of weekly tours in which our teacher would take the class to a part of the city and walk us through London’s rich history. From the Roman settlement in the first century, to the Tudor dynasty, to W.W.I, London’s turbulent (and often bloody) history shaped it into what I would consider the most interesting place to study.

LondonLondon is easily the best city in Europe. With so many historic landmarks, street markets, and free museums, after three months of living there I could still find new places to explore. When I first arrived in London I was nervous that my school was far from all the major attractions, but soon realized It was located right outside the City of London (the square mile the romans settled in) and just a few tube stops from Westminster palace, Buckingham palace, the London Eye, Saint Paul’s Cathedral, and many other landmarks.

One of my favorite classes at London, comprised of weekly tours in which our teacher would take the class to a part of the city and walk us through London’s rich history. From the Roman settlement in the first century, to the Tudor dynasty, to W.W.I, London’s turbulent (and often bloody) history shaped it into what I would consider the most interesting place to study.

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We first visited Edinburgh early morning, and took a guided tour through the city. Later in the day I met up with Timmy and Kaitlyn for some drinks.

The next day we departed and visited the town of Dunkeld, a beautiful Highland town and saw the Cathedral on the river Tay.Later we visited the Blair Athol whiskey distillery and drive through the Monadhliath mountains past stunning lochs via the Great Glen underneath Ben Nevis the highest mountain in the British Isles.After we went to Fort Augustus on the banks of Loch Ness (unfortunately Nessy was feeling under the weather and stayed away).We finished our day in the beautiful harbor town of Oban On Sunday we left Oban very early to visit Loch Awe and Kilchurn Castle, St. Conan's Kirk (a 13th century stunning castle and a church built by one man). On our way back to Edinburgh we stopped to say hello to Hamish the 'hairy coo' in 'Rob Roy country' then took train back to London

Scotland

We first visited Edinburgh early morning, and took a guided tour through the city. Later in the day I met up with Timmy and Kaitlyn for some drinks.

The next day we departed and visited the town of Dunkeld, a beautiful Highland town and saw the Cathedral on the river Tay.Later we visited the Blair Athol whiskey distillery and drive through the Monadhliath mountains past stunning lochs via the Great Glen underneath Ben Nevis the highest mountain in the British Isles.After we went to Fort Augustus on the banks of Loch Ness (unfortunately Nessy was feeling under the weather and stayed away).We finished our day in the beautiful harbor town of Oban On Sunday we left Oban very early to visit Loch Awe and Kilchurn Castle, St. Conan's Kirk (a 13th century stunning castle and a church built by one man). On our way back to Edinburgh we stopped to say hello to Hamish the 'hairy coo' in 'Rob Roy country' then took train back to London

Scotland

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Barcelona

Barcelona is by far the most crazy city I have ever visited (most people do not go out until midnight). A quick bus tour around the bustling city brought us to Park Guell. Later we visited la Sagrada Familia, which is a cathedral that was started in 1882 and is still under construction today. The cathedral was very busy in preparation for the Pope’s visit, and we were unable to go inside.We ended our day with a gondola ride above the harbor.

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Rome & MilanOn our trip from Barcelona to Rome, my friends and I had a short layover in Milan, giving us just enough time to visit the city center and get some gelato. Then we made our way to Rome.

Once in Rome, we took a bus tour of the city and saw some of the major sights.The day began at the Vatican, but the Pope was in Barcelona (I think he was trying to avoid us). After another helping of gelato we headed to the Colosseum, but decided not to go inside because the wait was over 3 hours and we didn’t have that much time to waste. We spent the rest of the day seeing the sights like the Pantheon and the Trevi fountain, and finished the trip with a delicious Italian dinner.

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ParisI was fortunate enough to know a student from Bryant who was studying in Paris, who had already visited all of tourist attractions and knew which ones where worth seeing, Our adventure started at the Louvre. While I was amazed at collection of work they held, the Mona lisa was a bit of a disappointment. After spending a few hours examining the paintings, we made our way to the christmas market for some mulled wine and crepes, then headed back to his dorm.

The next day we climbed up Montmartre to see the Basilica of the Sacré Cœur. Although the mist made our visibility low, the view of Paris was still spectacular. We later made our way back down and visited the Eiffel Tower. Unfortunately we were unable to climb to the top due to high winds, but the giant structure was still awe inspiring. My journey ended with a trip to the Moulin Rouge, but since the minium price for a show was 90 euros, I thought it was best to just take a picture.

ParisI was fortunate enough to know a student from Bryant who was studying in Paris, who had already visited all of tourist attractions and knew which ones where worth seeing, Our adventure started at the Louvre. While I was amazed at collection of work they held, the Mona lisa was a bit of a disappointment. After spending a few hours examining the paintings, we made our way to the christmas market for some mulled wine and crepes, then headed back to his dorm.

The next day we climbed up Montmartre to see the Basilica of the Sacré Cœur. Although the mist made our visibility low, the view of Paris was still spectacular. We later made our way back down and visited the Eiffel Tower. Unfortunately we were unable to climb to the top due to high winds, but the giant structure was still awe inspiring. My journey ended with a trip to the Moulin Rouge, but since the minium price for a show was 90 euros, I thought it was best to just take a picture.

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WalesI’m not exactly sure where I spent the weekend in Wales, but it was beautiful! After a very long day of traveling on cramped trains, and small buses, I finally arrived at the hostel. The first night was so clear I sat outside for about an hour admiring the milky way, and even saw a few shooting stars.

The next morning I started my day with a 7 mile hike along the coast. The hiking path led our group right along the edge of the cliffs, offering outstanding views of the ocean below. After lunch we headed out for some surfing lessons. It was then I realized that wetsuits do not keep the freezing cold water off your body. Even though I couldn’t feel my hands, I had a blast trying to ride the gnarly waves. After a few hours of paddling out I was exhausted and called it an early night.

On Sunday we went coasteering along the cliffs I hiked the day before. Coasteering is a combination of climbing the cliff walls, then jumping off them. Although I wouldn’t try it off the highest cliff, I almost did a flip off one of the cliffs.

WalesI’m not exactly sure where I spent the weekend in Wales, but it was beautiful! After a very long day of traveling on cramped trains, and small buses, I finally arrived at the hostel. The first night was so clear I sat outside for about an hour admiring the milky way, and even saw a few shooting stars.

The next morning I started my day with a 7 mile hike along the coast. The hiking path led our group right along the edge of the cliffs, offering outstanding views of the ocean below. After lunch we headed out for some surfing lessons. It was then I realized that wetsuits do not keep the freezing cold water off your body. Even though I couldn’t feel my hands, I had a blast trying to ride the gnarly waves. After a few hours of paddling out I was exhausted and called it an early night.

On Sunday we went coasteering along the cliffs I hiked the day before. Coasteering is a combination of climbing the cliff walls, then jumping off them. Although I wouldn’t try it off the highest cliff, I almost did a flip off one of the cliffs.

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Fall 2010