And... I have to leave

Well, the time has finally arrived that I actually get to leave this place. While I am not going to lie, I have hoped for this day for nearly a day now. Now that it is here it seems very surreal and I am sad to leave. While in Amiens, France I have met so many amazing people. That is the hardest part, leaving all my friends I have met here. Luckily in today's modern world I will be able to talk with them anytime I want, and they are also mostly from North America, so a short plane ride, or long car ride, and I can be at their front doors.

So I am all packed up and leaving in 2 hours. I will have to catch a bus, then another bus, then a train, and another train, and then 2 more trains after that. But by roughly 6pm I will finally be in Bochum, Germany where I will stay with one of my best friends from high school! After a short weekend with her I will have to, yet again, travel back to college. However, not in the U.S. as you may think... I stay in Germany. I will have roughly 3 weeks of intensive German course in Magdeburg, Germany... after which I will FINALLY be able to go back to the U.S.

While in Germany I am going to try my best to keep updating my blog, however I cannot make any guarantees. Wow, I am sort of in shock that it is over already. Anyway, in the meantime I will leave you with a picture of my sunrise/ cloudy sky here in Amiens, at 6:20am.

Till next time ~~ Alex

My days are numbered!

As of yesterday I am officially finished with classes in Amiens, France. Which also means that my study abroad semester has come to an end. I am unsure of how I exactly feel, on one side I am happy to finally be done with this semester and am definitely ready to go home. However on the other side... I still have another month left, as I travel to Germany for a summer program.

As of today 5/23/14, I have 6 days left... which now that I think about it I really cannot believe. In those 6 days, which I am sure will go by super fast, I have to still check out Paris (as I have avoided that place at all costs) and meet up with a fellow Minnesotan who will be traveling through. Then continue to pack and make sure everything is finalized in France, as well as in Germany.

I would just like to take this time to give a huge shout out to the International Exchange Office at Northern State University, and especially Liz Hannum. Without her I do not believe I could actually be here. She has had extreme patients, as she has had to deal with my billions of questions not only before I left... but also while I have been here. She also has dealt and talked me through (prior to choosing France) my changing of study programs, and my indecision. As I had originally choose Germany (over a year ago) and then Korea, then Germany again, then Korea again after I found out when Germany's semester began... and finally France after I decided on the summer course in Germany (which for travel reasons, France was a much easier decision than Korea). Through all the bulk emails I would have pestered her with and the stupidity of the majority of my questions, she has answered and help me through.

If anyone is thinking about studying abroad, and would like to receive more information you are in good hands with Liz Hannum and I definitely not only suggest that everyone goes and talks with her about study abroad opportunities (RÉSUMÉ BOOST!) or actually plan your own semester or summer program abroad. Just go, walk down to Lincoln Hall and visit with her! Trust me, you will definitely not regret it! And you can still, with some planning, graduate on time!

In the weeks to come, I am sure my life will begin to get filled with new experiences and an extreme amount of German language. I will do my very best to be much more structured at posting about my trip and what I am doing at that time.

So, until next time... Alex

C'est mon anniversaire!

Well it is officially here, my birthday... and the start of the final week in Amiens, France. It is astonishing to believe that I have been in this wonderful country for such a long amount of time. I must say I am not very sad to be leaving and continue my journey to Germany. While France has been an amazing host to be for nearly 4 months I am ready to wrap it up and be back home. Of course I won't be home for a little over a month from now, but finishing off in the amazing country of Germany will make me feel a bit more at home. Currently I do not have to much more planned as far as traveling. I will be however seeing one of my best friends from High School in her home country of Germany. That is something I am very excited for, as it will be the closest thing to being home I can possibly acquire while living in Europe.

As I stated it is my birthday, and I turn 22 years old today. While having a birthday is generally a wonderful and exciting day, having a birthday on a Sunday, in Europe... not so great. In the majority of Europe on Sundays everything is closed for a day of rest. The vast majority of stores and restaurants are closed and most people do not leave there house on these days. I have come to a realization that France is just celebrating my birthday for me and that it has become a national holiday.

On a different note, my final class of my time here starts tomorrow (May 19th) and I am super excited for it to be finally here, and even more excited to be finished with it. In a short week I will be completely finished with all my schooling in France and be transferring my focus onto preparing to leave. Thankfully there is not much to do, as I have already done all necessary paper work so that I will be able to leave easily. Last thing on the list would be closing my bank account and printing out my train tickets.

Until next time... Alex

Good Morning From Venezia

Today is day 2 of my trip to Venice, Italy. There is nothing quite like Venice. The city is quite amazing - and not going to be here forever - with walking paths weaving through the entirety of the city. Before coming here I didn't realize that Venice consists of many different island. Of which some are connected by bridges, others are not. Currently the hostel I am staying at is on the Island of La Giudecca, which is a smaller island consisting of mostly houses. It is also one of the islands that are not connected to any other via bridge. So we have to rely on the boat taxis (pictured below) to bring us to and from. Luckily for us they run all day and night, at rougly 20-40 minute intervals. 

Currently we are getting ready to go to a few islands. Morano and Borano two rather famous islands. The first, Morano is famous for their glass blowing factories. The island has many different companies which specialize is the glass blowing. Glass blowing is an intensive job, which takes many, many years to master. By their numbers it taked 15-20 years of apprenticeship to become a master, however it is often handed from father/mother to child. While the island doesn't have a ton to see, it is a must for shoppers! Next is Borano which specializes in making lace, and silk. This island has nearly anything you can think of made of pure Italian silk or lace. The majority of the lace products are shirts or table doilies, while the silk has many table clothes, dresses and table liners (the things that in the middle long the table). 

While Venice is amazing, with its rich history, and beautiful views. I cannot say I am in love, as an impatient person, waiting for the water bus and riding the water bus would make living hear a real pain. It also makes travel quite slow, and often it is easier to walk to places rather than use the water bus. However, as much of a hassle it is to travel around Venice - not to mention the tourist crowds - it is definitely a must do, if you are given the opportuniy! As sea levels continue to rise, and these islands begint to sink lower and lower. This beautiful place will cease to exist. So come while you can, enjoy some pizza, pasta and gilato. And just enjoy the beautiful city that is Venezia. Caio