Category: Europe

Submitted by Elizabeth Mitchell on the 2024 Spring program in Paris, France…

Throughout my first three weeks in Paris, I have found the best way to get to know the city is to go to museums and learn about the history of Paris and of Europe as a whole. I have quickly learned that the history found in Europe is much more rich and old than history found in the US. The cities and cultures here have just been around so much longer so it is easy to find an interesting fun fact no matter where you go in Europe. My favorite museum I have visited here in Paris is one that is not talked about a lot. It is called Musee Carnavalet and it is a museum dedicated to the history of Paris. This museum takes you on a journey through the entire history of Paris, starting when it was still a part of the Roman Empire all the way to the present day. I especially enjoyed reading about the formation of Paris. Before Paris was Paris, the city was a part of the Roman Empire and was called Lutetia which means mud or swamp. It was called this because the river that runs through Paris, the Seine, gives the city a very moist environment. The museum also had remnants of the Roman Empire such as stones from the buildings and boats that they used. Another amazing museum experience I had was this weekend at the D’Orsay. I was able to go to an exhibit that showcased the final works of Van Gogh before he died. This is the first showcase of its kind. This is the type of experience that I would not be able to have back home.  It is so inspiring to have all of this history at the tip of my fingers. The best part is that students are able to get into most museums including the Louvre and D’orsay for free. I feel so lucky to have this experience and be able to truly immerse myself into the history of this amazing city. (Submitted on February 4, 2024) 

Submitted by Emma Smith on the 2024 Spring program in London, England…

This past weekend, my friends and I took a trip to Amsterdam, Netherlands. We took a 45 minute plane ride from London to Amsterdam and stayed in a youth hostel. We then went out to explore Amsterdam’s beautiful canals and architecture. On our first day there, we stopped at the Anne Frank museum where we learned all about her, her family, and their experience during the Holocaust. Even though it is a devastating story, this museum did such an amazing job of telling her story. The rest of the night consisted of eating and drinking various foods and beverages unique to Amsterdam such as stroopwaffles and heineken. We also attended the Heineken experience which is a self-directed walking tour of how the beer is made and the history behind it. We got to meet so many lovely people and our time there was amazing to say the least. It was also very cool to experience being in a country where mostly everyone does not speak English as their first language. Dutch is very commonly spoken in Amsterdam, so at times it was difficult to communicate with citizens and workers if they did not speak English. Biking is an extremely popular way of transportation in Amsterdam which was neat to see because I am so used to everyone driving cars or taking the train in London. This made Amsterdam feel smaller and more comforting when trying to get from place to place. My friends and I also went on a boat tour where we went around the river and through the canals while also listening to an audio guide directing our attention to different unique parts of the city. I would definitely recommend this city to anyone, it was absolutely amazing. (Submitted on February 4, 2024) 

Submitted by Lauren Choptij on the 2024 Spring program in Rome, Italy…

This week, I went to my classes and explored more of Rome. I walked by the Vatican with my roommate as well as going to the Pantheon again. The weeks are flying by. This weekend, we went to London and it was one of the coolest cities I have seen so far on this trip. There was so much to do and we were able to see all the tourist attractions. My favorite area was Kensington Palace and the Notting Hill area. It was so scenic and peaceful. I am really looking forward to our upcoming trip next weekend! (Submitted on February 4, 2024) 

Submitted by Samantha Jennings on the 2024 Spring program in Copenhagen, Denmark…

While I am participating in the DIS Copenhagen Program in Copenhagen, Denmark I am living in the Culinary Living and Learning Community. Each week in this LLC, me and my fellow flatmates join together with other apartments in our building as well as a local chef to cook and enjoy community dinners. This week we learned how warm spices, like coriander, cloves, and cinnamon, are used in traditional winter Danish cuisine. We prepared butternut squash soup with warm spices and coconut, pan-fried bread with herbs and black pepper, and a Vietnamese salad with carrot and mint to enjoy as a large group. I love learning more about Danish cuisine by actually getting the chance to prepare it, but by far my favorite part of the process is to eat the food that we prepared with the friends that I made along the way! (Submitted on February 4, 2024) 

Submitted by Katarina Rodriguez Thomas on the 2024 Spring program in Copenhagen, Denmark…

In Denmark, the concept of “hygge” (pronounced hyu-guh) is about bringing coziness and contentment into your everyday life, especially when it’s cold, dark, and rainy for most of the winter. Moving into Denmark right in the middle of their most depressing season weather wise is certainly an adjustment for people used to the regular sunshine and mild winters we have in Delaware. When I first moved here, I had heard of hygge and thought that it was something that was built into the culture and the city around me. But, after settling in and finding that hygge wasn’t handed to me with my keys, I realized that it was really something that lived among the people and I was going to have to go out and find it for myself. Since deciding to join the hygge culture and pulling some of the members of my LLC along with me, we’ve built a nice little community filled with recommendations on where to find the best fuzzy blankets, game nights, group bakery trips, and community dinner nights. Together, we were all able to come together and create a little cozy community that has really allowed us to join in on one of the best parts of Danish culture and create our own family abroad. (Submitted on February 2, 2024) 

Submitted by Giulia Richardson on the 2024 Spring program in Rome, Italy…

The best way to describe the first week of being in Rome is pure excitement. Even in JFK when I was  preparing to leave my home for the next four months, all I could think about was that I couldn’t wait to  get there. Landing in Fiumicino airport was overwhelming to say the least; it finally settled in that I was  alone in a foreign country. This anxiousness settled when I found the other study abroad students  waiting for the JCU shuttle. Being around other students in the same situation eased our nerves, and we  all bonded instantly because of this. Orientation week was very busy, but it was an amazing opportunity  to get to know our classmates. We all grouped in the same spots at first and it felt like a close-knit  community even after just a couple of days. Everyone was riding a rush of excitement, so when we were  all together the energy was high and we had lots of fun! Being in a foreign city with a group of mostly  American students at first eased the transition of moving here. Everything new and strange was a little  less scary when I was experiencing it with people feeling the exact same way in those moments. Daily  life in Rome is dramatically different than ours at home, and it was exciting to learn the ropes with  friends. (Submitted on February 1, 2024) 

Submitted by Hannah Scheck on the 2024 Spring program in Sydney, Australia…

Week three in Sydney! Found a local place that hosts trivia on MondaysI have started to understand the public transportation systems here! I tried some new food items including a California Roll, Edamame, New York Cheesecake Gelato, Hungarian Kurtos, Pad Thai, and a Greek Chicken Pita. I also ate at some of my usuals, such as Taco Bell and Mcdonalds. I still enjoy exploring the Harbor and watching the fun street performers.I was able to experience National Australia Day in Australia! I went to the Royal Botanical Gardens to enjoy the lovely weather, watched some of the boat races, and saw a dazzling display of fireworks. I checked out the local Glebe Markets, which has an enormous display of shops. I was able to visit the White Rabbit Museum to see some local art. Finally, I made it to the top of the Sydney Tower Eye where I saw the most beautiful view of Sydney. (Submitted on January 31, 2024) 

Submitted by Martina Esparza on the 2024 Spring program in Prague, Czechia…

Today, my friends and I explored Prague and were captivated by its breathtaking views. Our first stop was the Charles Bridge, an architectural gem that spans the Vltava River, connecting the city’s Lesser Town with the bustling Old Town. Dating back to the 14th century, the bridge is adorned with 30 Baroque statues and arches, creating a picturesque scene.

After crossing the bridge, we made our way to the heart of the Old Town Square, where the Prague Astronomical Clock Tower awaited. This ancient timekeeping masterpiece, dating back to the 15th century, mesmerized us with its intricate design. Climbing various stories, we were rewarded with a stunning view of the surroundings, where each building’s red-shingled roof perfectly complemented its colorful walls.

Continuing our leisurely stroll through the Old Town Square and its charming cobblestone streets, we stumbled upon an array of boutiques, restaurants, breweries, and souvenir shops. Despite the chilly weather, we concluded our day of exploration with a cozy latte at a family-run coffee shop, where the skillful latte art and warm hospitality added to our memorable day of sightseeing. (Submitted on January 31, 2024) 

Submitted by Sydney Ballenger on the 2024 Spring program in Rome, Italy…

This week, I finally made it to the Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s Basilica! Visiting Vatican City had been on my bucket list since I decided to study abroad in Rome and I found myself with tickets for a time slot on a weekday squeezed between two classes. 

The walk was only twenty-five minutes along the Tiber River and the weather was beautiful. I made my way through all of the rooms of the Vatican museums– they have a fascinating collection of art, pottery, and statues. The architecture of the museums is stunning and I was constantly staring up at the beautiful and ornate ceilings. My favorite parts were the Raphael Rooms, the Gallery of Maps, and, of course, the Sistine Chapel. Following the Vatican Museums, I went to St. Peter’s Square and enjoyed the sunlight and beautiful view. (Submitted on January 31, 2024) 

Submitted by Jasmine Pennington on the 2024 Spring program in Athens, Greece…

Today, I woke up insanely late and immediately had the energy to head to the gym. Mind you, i dont use the gym since the first week because it was always crowded. But, today the gods themselves shined upon me and the gym was prcatically empty. I really enjoyed today even wuth the late wake up call. I finished my workout around 2ish and set off to go back home. I was rudely interrupted by a cat nicknmed Moo and I sat with him for a while and then headed to the closest cafe near school. I love ordering a hot latte with cinnamon and sugar. It’s sooooo good and I would highly recommend it. I dont have classes today so it’s fine that I woke up late, but I am becoming increasingly more stressed about classes. The structure here is way different than America and I am taking 3 history courses. One teacher is requiring us to know each name of the art, the time it was made, the place it was made, who made it, and what is the significance for over 50 artworks. I am just not a art history person but there wasnt any other classes listed that i could take to fill my breath requirements. I would rather memorize 50+ paintings than to ever take a philosophy 101 course. Thanks for coming to my Ted Talk!

Side note: I just loved the walk to campus and how walakble the city itself is. I did buy a metrocard but I would rather walk. I once walked for 2 hours instead of taking a bus because I felt like it would be pretty outside. (Submitted on January 31, 2024)