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this is real life

Tonight was the first official dinner/meeting for my study abroad program. This is for real, people! And I get more excited every day.

On January 28, I will be arriving at my new temporary home, Maastricht, which is in the southernmost part of the Netherlands, near Belgium and Germany. The very next day our entire group will leave for a day in Canterbury and three days in London. I loved London when I visited 3 years ago and cannot wait to get back! I want to see as much as I can in those few short days! 
At the beginning of February, I'll start my 4 classes for 8 weeks. Classes are Monday-Thursday... with 3 day weekends to travel! A Eurail train pass comes with the program, so I can go anywhere I want in Europe on the weekends! Also, Carnival (Europe's "Mardi Gras") is at the end of February, so we have a week off then. In March the entire group is attending the ballet in Maastricht and traveling to Paris for the ballet there too! At the end of classes, we have three weeks (April 6-24) set aside for travel. So if anyone is going anywhere in Europe this coming spring, let me know... I'll meet you anywhere! 

I am so very excited for this amazing opportunity and the adventures that await. I'm excited to experience new cultures, see incredible sights, meet all kinds of people, shop, and even learn! I want to revisit all of the places my mom and I saw three years ago and many, many more. I am so thankful that my parents are so supportive and encouraging me to embrace this opportunity. And thrilled that two of my closest friends at Baylor, Sarah Bravenec and Alex Jester, will be right there with me. Stay tuned, because I'll be keeping this blog up to date with pictures and stories! 

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