Checking Off Items On My Bucket List

When I told people I chose to study abroad in Belgium I got a lot of puzzling looks.  Why not France, you speak French? Well, my experience in France was not the greatest and I had no intentions to study in France.  I have always thought of Belgium as a good fit for me. I have friends who live not too far from Brussels. Belgium is also a very central location for those who love to travel.  It is so easy to get a lot of places.  I have already booked my train ticket to London to visit friends in October, and this weekend, some girls from my program and I are going to Amsterdam and renting a house boat! so exciting! Plans are also in the making for Oktoberfest in Munich Germany where I will have my first experience with couch surfing!!! Aside from the great location, Brussels is also very political, and have you heard about the food?! The Huffington Post posted an article about the 13 Foods That'll Make you want to visit Belgium, and less than two weeks in, I have mastered a good chunk of that list! http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/01/21/belgian-cuisine-food_n_4617498.html
1. Moules
2. Waffles
3. Frites
4. Tiny Creepy Pickled Shrimp
5. The Beer
6. Carbonnades (the beef)
and Speculoos and Chocolate!

  

waffles and frites

Day 3 in Belgium is coming to an end and so far its been amazing! My fell students are awesome! Each of us have something in common (favorite sports teams, friends from their school, majors)! Its been great embarking on this experience with such a chill group of people! Within my first hour in Belgium I met my neighbors who are kids in the program, saw my neighborhood, and had my first real waffle! This week is orientation week which means a lot of meetings.  We will have our final interviews, placement test for languages, and meetings with our advisors.  It is also a week of student government activities to get to know students from different programs. I am excited for classes to start monday and to get a set daily schedule.

Journey to the Waffles!

That time has come again that I am blogging from an airport on my way to Europe. However, this time I won't be stepping on to American soil for 4 whole months.  This journey is something that has been planed since I was in high school and the time has finally come… a semester abroad in Belgium! I would like to think I have learned something about pre-departures from past trips, but this morning I showed up to the Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport with two 50 pound bags packed to the limit! The biggest lesson I learned during the packing process, my shoes weigh A LOT! This may come as a shock to most people who know me but for 4 months, my shoe count during packing was only 10 pairs, and only 2 of those have heels on them!
I am going to miss a lot about home these 4 months (ice, air-conditioning, the convenience of Walmart, the University of Arkansas in the fall) but most of all my friends and family (including the furry members). As a friend put it on Sunday, There is no place like home!
Well I have one more flight to go before I arrive in Belgium.. wish me luck on being able to sleep on this flight!