Studying abroad has been an enriching kaleidoscope of experiences from the moment I stepped foot in England. I really enjoyed my first mini excursion to Scotland, which is a must. The food, the bone-biting frigid weather, the rich history, the Scottish accent, everything was unforgettably different for me. Skiing in the French Alps at Les Deux, exploring the German Pergamon and Deutsches Historisches Museum, drinking perfected Belgian beer (rated "best in the world"), intense climbing in Kalymnos, having the opportunity to meet various people of different nationalities, touring English cities such as Oxford, and living through my other numerous adventures exemplify the priceless European experiences I encountered. Even though my journey was filled with wonderful events, there are few moments that I will not miss.
Berlin still has my camera somewhere and I will not be quick to forget this. I’ll never know what happened to it because I believe it was stolen, but it equally could have been misplaced. RyanAir departures at 6AM were by far the most grueling part of all my journeys. They caused many of my sleepless nights between flights. The Pound and the Euro not only had lousy exchange rates, but they urged me to spend wisely, although that doesn’t mean I didn’t pretend at times I was spending dollars. In spite of these inadequacies, my mind isn’t fully aware yet that I am about to leave this amazing school and dynamic city, the latter which I now consider my second home.
I arrived in England with an American mindset. Through time, I grew to appreciate my time with others, a more balanced life-work ethic, and thinking with a sense of modernism wherever I go. We all bring along baggage, preconceptions, personal beliefs, and the full weight of our life experiences when we travel, but whatever baggage one brings to these places abroad, one should keep an open mind to fully experience what the culture has to offer.
Andrew Kubal (England, 2013-14)