Boyz Street Fun!

My family!

Okay, so I did not forget to write yesterday, but instead decided I should wait an extra day so that I may include details about my first day of classes! I had Psycholinguistics (which I might switch to Cognitive Neuroscience), and Clinical Psychology, both having no more than 25 students. So after attending UCF for 3 years (with classes as large as 400), I feel like I'm back in high school (in regards to class sizes and student body, which is only 700!).

Let me go back to the beginning though. I had a four hour delay in Miami, causing me to miss my connection flight in Madrid (so another four hour delay), allowing me to arrive in Amsterdam at around seven at night. The train ride was fairly easily just 30 minutes (about 8 euro), then a bus ( 1.6 euro) and a good three minute walk to the campus. All the delays caused me to miss an entire day of getting to know students. So I quickly learned that I (along with everyone else new to UCU, exchange or not), has been assigned to a "family," so that during intro-week students have an easier chance becoming friends, since most of the activities are completed with a family. My family consisted of two dads, one mom, about 8 sisters and 2 brothers, along with another "brother" who we adopted (in secret) because he is attending the regular college UU.

The family idea was great, although some people thought otherwise, I feel like I was able to make many friends fairly quickly from over-exposure. And since new students are mixed with the families, I, and I am sure others as well feel less secluded from the full time students. Surprisingly, most exchange students I've met are from California! Some from New York, Boston, Connecticut, Florida, China, South Africa, Mexico, and Germany. Although I feel like the majority are American, which I did not expect (although it's nice to have something in common).

I purchased my first bicycle! So yea, I am officially Dutch. Although my bicycle is not considered "cool," because it is a mountain/BMX bike, and Dutch people like to ride tall bikes with a small platform to have friends sit on the back (which is terrifying and uncomfortable in my opinion). It also says: "Boyz Street Fun," so I think it's for children, but it was cheap (50Euro) compared to the average 125/150 Euro prices! Which I thought was insane, because most bikes are rusty, poorly maintained, and have a 75% chance of being stolen!

It's freezing here. I'm starting to get used to it, but riding a bike in the freezing weather is something I was not prepared for. I can't feel my face every time I ride from the cold weather. Anyways, intro-week was extremely fun; with activities like city tours, bike tours, ice skating, movie night, jazz night, a formal dinner, pub crawl, and a party every night has kept myself and all the other students busy and somewhat sleep deprived. But it has all been very much worth it.

My two classes today briefly went over the class syllabus along with some introduction to the class, so I cannot really compare the difficulty levels yet, although it is very obvious that class participation will happen VERY frequently.

Oh, my roommates are very nice! I have four girls and 2 guys on my floor, with a common area, laundry area, and showers. All but one (from London) are second year full time students, so I hope they will be able to give me more of an insight to the Netherlands and Europe then other exchange students (Like the fact the France is only a 10 hour drive!) My room is HUGE. Imagine a double room in college, but as a single. I have too much room actually, so it makes my walls look so bare. I also have a personal sink/mirror to my left which cannot be seen.

The music room is great as well. They have two drum kits, a piano, keyboard, bass, acoustic/electric guitars, and some little tarbukas. The gym is not as great on campus, sort of like a crappy hotel gym. Off-campus, or technically on the Main campus of the regular college, their is a state-of-the-art gym.

I'm not sure what else to say other than It's amazing here in every way. The campus is beautiful, the city even more so (NOTHING like Florida). Everything is closed on Sundays. Everything is within a 10 minute bike ride. It's freezing. A lot of exchange students are planning to travel on various weekends (I hope I can make the masquerade ball in Venice!). I think I'll leave you off with some pictures for now, and fill in more next week!

INSIDE A FRAT HOUSE!

Main Campus!

Vaarwel!

Don't Forget Adapters!

I am 5 hours and 20 minutes away from leaving to EUROPE! And I just ran to target to grab some adapters because I COMPLETELY forgot that I cannot plug my electronics in the European outlets! It's a little weird though, because I tripled checked on other sites about what to pack and NONE of them mentioned adapters! So don't forget if you ever go abroad!

Also, when packing, I highly recommend using SPACE BAGS! They pretty much allowed me to make all my clothes look like Space ice-cream, which is ironic, but extremely useful to conserve space! I just hope the airline security doesn't get too curious and decide to open one up...because then I'm screwed. But unfortunately, I was not able to fit everything into one suitcase, (because I put a blanket and pillow in one space bag). So I will have one giant suitcase, a small travel backpack (which will come in handy to travel Europe!), along with my guitar (as a carry-on). I will not bore you with everything I packed, but if you want, (which I doubt anyone will) contact me and I'll send you my check-list!

Anyways, my flight leaves from Miami at 6:30 PM and arrives at Madrid at 8:55 AM. I have some time in Madrid and then depart to Amsterdam at 12:10, arriving at 14:40 (European time!). From Amsterdam I must take a train to Utrecht Central (33min ride for about 8 euros), and then decide if I can handle carrying all of my luggage onto a city bus (for 2 euros) or suck it up, and take a taxi for an unknown amount of euros :[
I will arrive at Utrecht around 1700 or 5pm (at which time the sun will be setting! Also, it only rises at 830 am!) to join the already in progress WEEK long orientation. The schedule received for orientation is 90% getting to know the other 60 exchange students. We are scheduled by the school to go ice-skating, on a city tour, bike tour, movie night, pub crawl, jazz night, ( yea pub crawl! by the school!) and each night ends with a party in the ON CAMPUS bar! *email me for the entire schedule!*

I thought it was funny! (It says Air Holland!)

I think the school is attempting to make a comfortable environment for the students. With a party every night, they are also trying to make a safe environment for students who believe that studying abroad is all party (especially in the Netherlands). This way students will not get lost in the city; they will most likely satisfy their party cravings, and be able to meet as many new students as possible.

Hmmm, I am not sure if there is anything else I should mention before I depart except HOW EXCITED I AM! I am nervous, , scared, anxious, happy, sad, and everything mixed together! I cannot wait to find out who my roommates are (6-12 of them I have been told!), whether or not I will have a double room or single (hopefully single!), and how beautiful the city is! My classes are still not finalized until I arrive there, so I am hoping to receive all the classes I requested (cross-cultural psych, cognitive psych, clinical psych, and possibly chemistry).

This is about to be the newest adventure in my life. I will learn and grow in ways I have never imagined in the next six months and I hope that you will keep reading and join me and my future friends on future adventures!

Speak with you in about one week! (LIVE FROM UTRECHT!)

Vaarwel!

Thank You Gilman International!

It is officially ONE WEEK prior to my departure. This semester I will be participating as an exchange student at University College Utrecht - a tiny (approx. 750 students small, compared to my home institution of 56,000+) honors college of Utrecht University. I am a student at the University of Central Florida (current temperature 75 degrees). However, I am soon to be living on campus in Utrecht, Netherlands (current temperature 35 degrees).

YEAH, IT'S BEAUTIFUL :)

I expect to be taking four psychology courses (which will only be finalized upon my arrival). Some reasons I chose Utrecht College:

• Location: The Netherlands are in the heart of Europe, rich with history, art and culture. 
• Academics: This college is ranked #1 in the Netherlands, #11 in Europe. I did not chose this school FOR being ranked highly, but the reasons WHY it is ranked so. With a strong focus on class participation, demanding curriculum, small class sizes so that classes are more personal, along with hands on experiences, and so much more.
• Culture: I visited Amsterdam this previous summer and fell in love with the city. Whether it be architecture, city parks, historic districts, or the amazingly friendly atmosphere of the general population, the Netherlands has an infinite amount to offer.
• Language: It sort of helps to speak the language your are instructed in. Although, you may catch on eventually...right?

I will be arriving in the Netherlands one week prior to classes to partake in a full week of orientation during in which I will register for classes, learn about the university, city, and campus, but most importantly meet the students I will be studying with for the next four months. Utrecht, from the orientation week schedule, makes a clear point that students need to feel as comfortable as possible and "at home," so as to make the best of their experiences abroad.


It is currently a 60% chance of snow (happens often in Florida...ha ha...) when I arrive on January 24. This minor HUGE change in temperature, was and should be a big consideration when applying to a study abroad program. From an average high of 85 to 95 degrees in the Spring semester in Florida, Utrecht's average high is 40 to 50 degrees. Weather alone, may be a "make or break" for anyone who decides on their location abroad.


Money Matters. If you are like me, you are not holding a six-figure job as a student. Research the currency differences between the USA and your country of interest.

BUT, none of this could have been possible without the help of a scholarship.

Let me thank the Institute of International Education for awarding me with the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship. This award has taken a HUGE weight off my shoulders financially and relieved me of my worries about needing to find work during my study abroad experience. Students may receive up to $5,000 and another $3,000 if one studies in a country which Gilman considers to have a critical language.

So for anyone interested in receiving money while studying abroad (and you better not think it's impossible for you to be selected, because not only will I give you all the information you need to prepare for the application, but each applicant has about 1 in 3 chance of being selected!), the criteria are as follow:


Eligibility for semester scholarships: 

1. You MUST be receiving the Federal Pell Grant DURING your time abroad; not just be eligible too.
2. You MUST be accepted into a study abroad program (duh).
3. You MUST be studying for AT LEAST four (4) Weeks abroad in ONE country!  So if you are planning a sea abroad program or something of the like, you must be in at least one country for a month to qualify for this scholarship!
4. You may NOT study in a country on the U.S. Warning Travel List 

For more detailed information you should click HERE!


To apply for the Gilman Scholarship, you must submit two (1000 word limit) papers. That's it. No recommendation letters, no 80 page essay about the hardest times of your life, or anything irrelevant to the program. 

The first essay is your Statement of Purpose. This is your time to shine. Include information about yourself, the program you chose, why that said program, what you will accomplish abroad, what you will bring back with you upon your return, what you will do to get involved, who you will live with, what classes will you take, what will you do during your spare time, and much more. Pretty much, the reviewers of your applications want to make sure that if awarded $5,000 it will not be spent on alcohol, shopping, and alcohol. If you would like more information of help with your essay, feel free to contact me!


The second essay is your Follow-on-Project. The reason why the chances of receiving this award is 1 in 3 and not the usual 1 in 1000 is partly due to the lack of student knowledge that this award even exists. So the follow-on portion is a way for the recipients to "spread the word," and advertise for the Gilman scholarship to students in their home communities about the award. As you may have figured out, I proposed to write a weekly blog during my time abroad. This blog will include everything from applying to the Gilman scholarship, to everyday activities and "need to know" information such as packing for your trip, how my classes are, what I do during my free time, where I may travel to, who I meet, pictures and videos I take throughout the semester, and anything I can think of writing about.


I believe my follow on proposal was strong because I did not simply say I will write a blog, but instead contacted several clubs throughout my college and who have agreed to have a link leading to my blog posted on their home websites so that students (who were informed about my future adventure abroad) may have access to my blog.

Upon my return home, I proposed to the Gilman scholarship (after speaking with several clubs and the study abroad office), that I will have PowerPoint presentations about my experiences abroad, as well as a short article in my home institutions official newspaper. So once again, if you apply and need any help with either essay PLEASE feel free to contact me!


Lastly but probably most importantly, the help I received from the study abroad office, my institutions honors college, and my friends greatly impacted my essays. It is NEVER too early to apply for this award. I began my application in early July, for a mid-October deadline. Every minute of revision counts. The more feedback you receive from peers the stronger your essay will be.


I hope this information helped!


So the next time I will write to you will be about one week, a day or so before I depart. I will include information about what and how I packed, details about how to make your study abroad affordable (because everyone loves to save money), some flight details and anything else I may have forgotten in this post!

Vaarwel (Bye)!