Study abroad was an awesome experience, and although I was only there for a month, it definitely impacted me for a lifetime. These are the things I loved most about my time in Europe!
1. The friends i made
In my opinion, one of the coolest parts about studying abroad is that you have the opportunity to meet students from all across the country/world in your program! I met so many friends from other American universities, and I know some of them will last a lifetime.
Meeting people on your study abroad program is a unique experience because you all get to share once in a lifetime experiences with each other, in a completely foreign place. Study abroad is a great place to step out of your comfort zone, and branch out to new friend groups because everyone is in the same position as you; arriving in a new country without their friends or family to comfort them. The circumstances make for quick bonding experiences.
We spent a lot of time at the bar and clubs together, and got together each week to watch ABC’s The Bachelor so that we wouldn’t fall behind on any of the drama back home! I can’t wait for COVID-19 to be under control so that I can have a reunion with these awesome people!
2. Weekend In Budapest
While studying abroad, my friends McKinley, Jeanmarie, and I took a girls trip together to Budapest for a weekend. It gave us a nice change of scenery from Berlin, and was one of the most eventful weekends of my entire experience.
We spent a day touring the city, and another hanging out in the Gellért Thermal Baths. The thermal baths are one of Budapest’s biggest attractions, so we also spent a night at the Szechenyi Sparty (Spa-party)! There was live entertainment on the stage all night, with loud music, and tons of people in the outdoor thermal baths, which were surrounded by outdoor bars.
Budapest is also known for its ruin bars, more specifically for its bar Szimpla Kert. Upon arrival to the bar we had to wait in a line that went down the street and around a corner, but the wait it took to get inside was 100% worth it. There were multiple stories to the bar, and lots of different themed rooms to explore. There were cool table set ups, and even bathtubs for lounging in.
Overall, it was an awesome weekend with the girls that I won’t be forgetting about any time soon!
3. Living In A City
Living in Berlin was the perfect choice for my study abroad experience. The city of Berlin drew me in like no other, with its grey weather, love for black clothing, and its popping techno scene. I had always wanted to live in a city and I finally got the chance to try it out!
I was lucky enough to live in an apartment during my short time in Berlin, which was conveniently located directly across from The Mall of Berlin in the Mitte neighborhood. Each and every day I got too see the beautiful Brandenburger Tor on my way home from classes, and watch the sunset from our apartments balcony. Exploring the city never got old, and there was always something new to discover, even on just a short walk.
Every night was filled with a new experience, whether it was heading out to explore the city and grab dinner, or buying 2$ bottles of wine and staying in for the night with my roomates. Living in a city means there is always something to do, because there is bound to always be something going on somewhere!
4. Berlin Nightlife
Studying abroad was made even more special for me because while most of my friends were 21, or turning 21 that semester, I still had an 8 month wait left until I would be of legal drinking age at home. Living in Berlin gave me the chance to legally go to bars, and clubs with my friends, when I would’ve been left out of the fun had I spent the semester at home because of their lower drinking age!
Nightlife in Berlin was incredibly different from the nightlife I was used to experiencing at home. Berlin is well known for their techno scene, and their clubs, which can sometimes stay open for entire weekends without closing. Afterall, drinking is very “typisch Deutsch.”
Unlike American clubs and bars, Berlin bars have curfews that stretch into the early hours of the morning, or sometimes they dont close until the weekend is over, with people spending the full 48+ hours inside their doors. For example, on mondays and wednesdays, Tresor (a very popular Techno club in Berlin) does not close its doors until 8 a.m. the next morning. If you go to Berlin, and don’t stay out so late that you are walking home at sunrise, then you did not get an authentic Berlin experience.
The techno and club scene is deep rooted in Berlin’s culture. The freedom Germans felt when the wall fell turned into an advanced system of open-minded clubs and party scenes throughout the city. Originally, many of these clubs were just illegal parties being thrown in abandoned building on the East Side. Many of Berlin’s clubs still occupy previously abandoned/unused buildings, rather than having built new locations themselves.
5. Seeing the northern lights in Finland
Seeing the Aurora Borealis (northern lights) was at the very top of my study abroad bucket list. Before going abroad I had no idea where or how I was going to see them, just that I was determined to make it happen!
I was sitting in class researching cheap flights when I found a weekend round-trip plane ticket to Finland for only half of the typical price! I booked my flight without hesitation, and then began researching how to go about seeing the Northern Lights while I was there.
I went on Travelocity.com and looked up northern light tours. I chose to book a tour with local guides, which included transportation to where we could see the lights, professional photos with the lights, and a barbeque with snacks and traditional stories told about the Northern Lights! It was awesome, and definitely an experience I recommend that everyone has at least once in their life.
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