Part 11: Saying Goodbye

If you haven’t done so, check out the beginning of my journey:

Part 1: First Day Jitters in Amsterdam

Part 2: Surviving the First Week

Part 3: Farm Life and Hague Life

Part 4: Taking in the Culture

Part 5: Old Art and a Freaky Robot

Part 6: Tricky Tessel

Part 7: Medieval Times in Ghent

Part 8: Loving London

Part 9.1: Traveling Galore

Part 9.2: Gorgeous Vienna

Part 9.3: Hilly Prague

Part 9.4: Historical Berlin

Part 10: Rockin’ Rotterdam

During my last week in Amsterdam for studying abroad, we completed our final material and had a mini trip to a hotel and shop with intriguing designs (like an arch of violet flowers). My favorite moment from my remaining week is when my Dutch professor invited us to her home to have coffee, tea, and sweet treats. She had an adorable black kitten that one of my classmates and I were in love with. It was a nice way to end my time studying abroad as we all enjoyed our remaining moments with our professor in Europe. Thankfully, this was not my last moment in Europe.

I spent another three weeks in Europe with my mom. She flew to Amsterdam once my term ended, and I planned out most of the week for Amsterdam. Basically, we went to a handful of the museums and sights I saw from my three months living in the Netherlands. There were a few new experiences (like going to the Royal Palace) I could experience the first time with my mom. We even took a day trip to Brugge to tour the Medieval town. After a week in Amsterdam, we spent two weeks on a cruise going up and down Norway. We discovered the uniqueness of each city and loved every moment. One of the most dream-like moments came from my mom and I sitting in the jacuzzi as the Norwegian landscape passed us. It felt like we were in a movie. I wished it would never end.

Sadly, every adventure has to end sometime. After three months in Europe, I flew home. I could never talk about Europe enough and have probably annoyed my friends and family from talking about it so much. This experience taught me things I would have never known without the opportunity to study abroad. When someone asks about studying abroad or is thinking about it, I say do it. No questions about it. It has given me a new perspective and a better understanding of the world I live in. I hope to one day to go back and discover more, but I do not know next time I will be able to. The fact I got to go at all is a dream come true. To anyone still questioning whether to study abroad, take the leap because the world is waiting for you.

• Amsterdam
• europe
• netherlands
• study abroad