So much to say, so little time…

It’s been a while since I’ve posted on here. I’d try to catch up on the two Amsterdam trips and various other goings- on, but should be going to bed soon so I’ll just say a few words.

School is going well. My favorite class by far is the business practicum, mostly because we get to go visit lots of companies throughout this semester, and also get to go to Germany for a weekend in March, I believe. Dutch Culture and Society is also an interesting class; I’ll give some tidbits I’ve learned from that class next time I get to blog.

My host family is great. Haven’t gotten much chance to try speaking Dutch with them, but I still hear it a lot because the three younger kids don’t speak any English.

Had THE BEST PANCAKES EVER last night (sorry, Mom)!!!!!!! They were thinner, and had whole pieces of bacon in them!! And then we put butter and powdered sugar on them = deliciousness! I’m definitely taking that recipe home with me.

Tomorrow I’m meeting up with the three other girls that are going with me to Italy and Greece in two weeks to do a little planning. I’m really looking forward to breaking in my travel backpack, getting a way from school for a bit, and soaking up a little bit more of the sun (hopefully!)!!!!

I should be going to bed. I’ll try to get in all the Amsterdam memories (and lots of pictures to go with it) sometime this weekend – expect a long post!

Doei! (Translation: bye!)

Settling in

So I’ve been in Zwolle for about a week now, and am really enjoying it. The half-hour bike ride to school over a bridge, through a tunnel, and through two roundabouts in 30-ish degree weather isn’t my favorite, but we ride through part of the city center (with all the cute shops and cobblestone roads), so I can’t complain too much.

This week has been mostly orientation at school, then next week classes actually start. Today we had a pretty boring lecture in the morning, followed by a scavenger hunt in the city center, which a lot of people bailed on, then a few friends and I stopped by a bakery and got a little snack before heading home.

Life here is different in a lot of ways, but I like it a lot. The styles people wear are really different, which I can’t really explain (side note- THERE’S AN H&M IN THE CITY CENTER TOO!!! I AM SO EXCITED!) The food is also different, but delicious so far; however, I was very excited to find out that there’s a McDonald’s in the city center.

The family I live with is amazing, too. The dad especially is so excited to learn more English, which makes it hard because I want to learn better Dutch at the same time, but they have been so nice and helpful in my first week here.

Well, not much more to write now. Some friends and I might wander the city center this weekend and then visit a pub or something that night. I’m really excited to see what the nightlife is like here, compared to the normal school stuff we’ve been doing thus far.

Just had a delicious Dutch dinner, by the way. It was snert (split pea soup), with yogurt and oj mixed together for dessert – way better than it might sound, trust me.

Anyways, I’ve got to go shopping with Roelof for a birthday present for Vivian – his verjaardag is tomorrow. Later.

I have arrived!!

Got in to Zwolle Friday around noon. Did some stuff yesterday. Am very busy with family and will write more later when internet connection is better. Food is a little different, but not bad – had brood met pindakaas en chocolate hagelslag for breakfast this morning.

PS- riding bikes in the cold is not fun!

Hello there

This is my first-ever blog entry. Unbelievable, right? I created this blog to hopefully keep in touch with and easily update friends and family while I’m gone, and also share some of the many, many pictures I’ll probably be taking while traveling.

A little bit about myself: my name is Jamie, I’m 21 and a senior in college, from the lovely state of California, and I’m about to have the time of my life while studying in the Netherlands next semester. This is the first big trip outside of North America, and I’m quite excited about it. I’m hoping to get into international business after graduating, so this trip is going to be a great experience in so many different ways.

I can’t wait to live with a Dutch host family and ride on a bike to get to school, travel throughout Europe (hopefully taking some great pictures along the way, right mom??), see some amazing art & architecture, go to so many of the places I have heard about and been wanting to see my whole life (Eiffel Tower, Big Ben, the Coliseum, etc.), learn more of the language, and spend an extended amount of time in the Netherlands.

My  ticket’s been booked, I’ve made the deposit and registered for classes, and now all I have to do is wait about 5 more weeks. I can’t believe it’s come so soon; seems like there’s so much left to do and take care of before I go, hopefully with minimal stress while I’m home for Christmas before leaving!

Well, I think that’s all I’ve got in me right now. Thinking too much about next semester makes it harder to focus on finishing up the current semester. Two more weeks and I’m done!!

Hope this finds you safe and happy on this cold December night!