Once again, another amazing week abroad is over. This week was special as my fellow classmates and I took a trip to Amsterdam! It was filled with amazing memories that I was able to share with such wonderful people.
Since my family is originally from the Netherlands, I was thrilled when the group decided to take a trip to Amsterdam for the free weekend. This was super convenient for me, as I could not only share this beautiful city with all my friends but also combine the trip with visiting family. This was special to me because, at this point in life, it has become more and more difficult to see my family in the Netherlands. Therefore, this was a great surprise, both for myself and my family, that I was able to make my way there.
I arrived before the rest of the group on Wednesday, so I could spend a few days with my grandparents and cousins. During that time, I caught up with them and filled them in on my thrilling adventures here in Dublin. We ate lots of delicious Dutch food, chit-chatted, and drove around the towns so I could stop at all my favorite places. This was a great way to set the tone for the trip, as I felt a great sense of comfort seeing my family. My advisor is to thank for this, as he was actually the one who recommended I change my flight earlier to see my family. So grateful!
On Friday morning, I took a bus into the city to meet up with some of my fellow classmates. I was really looking forward to their arrival so I could show them why I love Amsterdam so much. In Amsterdam, we did many things, including a canal tour, the Heineken Experience, a pancake boat, and some visited a couple of the historical museums. We ate tons of great food, shared many laughs, and enjoyed our time together.
As this trip begins to wrap up, I feel a strong sense of appreciation for the time we have left, knowing how different it will be when we get back to school. The group here this year is such a unique collection of people. We all value each other’s differences and have become a family. It seems so strange to me that in less than a week, an experience like this will be over. This trip has been a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that I can say has been one of the greatest things I’ve done in my life. I have gained professional experience through my internship, knowledge through my coursework, and so much more. As sad as I am to leave, this has been an unforgettable summer, and I look forward to looking back on the amazing memories.
With that, I want to thank Ivy, Joe, and Connect-123 for making the most amazing summer happen. I cannot thank everyone involved enough for making this such an amazing experience, not just for myself but for all the people who have done and will do this program. I will miss you, Dublin! But you will always be in my heart!
