Guess Who's Returning to the U.S. of A.?

This girl! And it's finally just starting to hit me. Monday morning, I'm making my way to the airport to make the journey home. It truly feels like centuries ago that I first stepped on Belgian soil --- and yet I can remember everything so vividly. I was nervous and full of emotions that I couldn't quite describe. I had no clue what this semester would have in store for me. It's still crazy for me to wrap my mind around the fact that the last time I saw my friends and family was in January.

Today I finished my last exam (after a month full of stress and studying). I ran some last minute errands. I also met up with one of my friends I made here for one last coffee shop trip. The rest of my evening has been spent detoxing with a Netflix Friends binge session and a large cheese pizza...and I can't say I'm mad about it.

So. I wanted to take some time to reflect on my experience here. A couple days ago I took a study break and read some of my older posts, thinking how glad I was that I kept track of my memories through this blog. As tomorrow will be filled with many goodbyes, I thought now would be the best time to reflect back on it all.

They say that home isn't a place, it's a person. Well, I think Leuven proved me wrong - it can be both. Everywhere I have traveled to, everywhere I made memories, I leave a little piece of my heart. People say that going out and seeing the world changes you. And they're right. In the last five months, I have traveled through 8 countries and close to 20 cities. Everywhere has touched my soul in a different manner. Budapest was my first taste of Eastern Europe. I got to experience the works of some of the most artistically talented individuals in the world in Rome. Ireland showed me what true natural beauty looks like. And Belgium taught me how to live life like a true European. I am just completely amazed at what this world has to offer. While I checked many places I have always dreamed of visiting, I only added more and more as my time continued here. I find it so fascinating that this planet is full of so many diverse cultures. It's so neat to see how history has shaped us and our environments into the way they are today. It's what I love about travel. It's like taking a step back in time, or entering a new world where the adventures to be had are endless.

Now, let me be honest. When I chose to study abroad, it was mainly for the travel aspect. I wasn't trying to get away from Hanover or from my family or from my friends. I just wanted to experience the world from a new perspective. It's one thing to take a 3-week vacation throughout Europe, but to actually live here...it's indescribable. It's crazy to think that somewhere halfway around the world, this town in Belgium would one day become a place I'd call home. One of the best parts about this experience were the people I met. We ended up becoming very close with a Belgian student at KU Leuven who will always hold a special place in my heart. It's because of her that I traveled to Budapest, that I met so many locals, that I got to experience true Belgian culture. She welcomed us into her life fully, and for that I am so thankful. Not only were her and her friends wonderful, but I got to meet kids from other schools throughout the US going through the same experience as we were. It was so nice getting to know them, and getting to hear all about their lives in different parts of the country back home.

One of the things that surprised me most? How much I learned about myself. I truly am an independent person, so when I knew I was leaving for 5 months, I didn't think twice about missing home or my family. But I truly have. It's been hard being away from them for so long. I got homesick and lonely a few times, but it only made me stronger. I think at Hanover I'm so used to having a million different activities I'm involved in, that I never really have time to just be with myself. Here in Belgium, I definitely had plenty of time to reflect and to think about who I am and where I am going. It brought me closer with some of the most extraordinary people who will always have a special place in my heart as well (you know who you are).

As I'm concluding this post, it's truly begun to hit me that I will be leaving this place and this country. Who knows when I'll return, but all I've got to say is thank you Belgium, and thank you Leuven for the ride of my life. Thank you for showing me the beauty in some of the simplest moments, and for opening my eyes to what this world has to offer. While I leave with a head full of bittersweet thoughts and emotions, I know that my time here will be a memory I will cherish for a lifetime. Cheers!

Photo Creds: LCR Photography

Living the Belgian Life in Gent

This past weekend, I had the privilege of staying with a Belgian family just outside of Gent in De Pinte, Belgium. My grandmother actually connected me with the family through a friend of her's whose family hosted the husband when he was studying in the United States. I am so thankful she did, because it made for such a fabulous and relaxing weekend.

We got to Gent on Friday because we were to spend a day there with our Flemish Art & Culture class. It was a long day -- we spent 5 hours in one museum we definitely didn't need to stay at, as well as a contemporary art museum. After being with our class, Izzy and I went to explore the city ourselves before we met up with the family we stayed with for dinner.

Doing some research, I discovered there is a street in Gent that is completely covered in graffiti, so we went to snap some pics and to explore. If you're ever in the city, look up "Werregarenstraat" to come across a tunnel that leads into a narrow street absolutely covered in graffiti. Every so often, they completely paint it over in white so that artists can start new projects, but ultimately it's a street meant for individual expression. I wish I would've known about it sooner, because I definitely would have bought a spray can of paint to add to the art on the wall.

After, it was time to meet up with the family we stayed with for the weekend. They took us out for the best dinner at "De Gekroonde Hoofden"- one of the oldest restaurants in Gent and well worth the visit if you're a fan of ribs. I ended up getting honey glazed ribs -- and the best part? They're all you can eat. We left the restaurant with full stomachs and sticky hands.

They took us to their home after where we were to stay for the night. It was so nice to sleep somewhere quiet and peaceful for a couple days. Especially when living in a residence with 20 other housemates.

The next morning, we were off to visit Gent. Frank who was hosting us drove us into the city where we got to explore for the day. Much of it was spent walking around and we got to see the three major churches that make up the town, Sint-Michielskerk, Saint Nicholas' Church, and Saint Bavo's Cathedral. Along with this, we went up the Belfry Tower to get a lovely view of Gent. There are plenty of canals running through the entire city as well, so we had the opportunity to simply take in the atmosphere.

By the end of the day - close to dinner time - Frank came and got us by his boat. Like I said, Gent has A LOT of canals, so there are plenty of ways to enter the city. We ended up getting to chat with a couple of his friends who were having a drink with him where they docked before we made the trek back to De Pinte where they lived. The ride was so lovely.

When we got back to his house, his wife was cooking dinner, and we chatted a bit more over drinks before eating. She ended up making this delicious lamb with potatoes and carrots that was heavenly. Being a college student who has to cook for herself, this felt like such a luxury. Because I don't want to spend tons of money on spices and flavoring for only for a semester, much of what I eat is pretty bland, so it was great to have someone else cook for a change.

After dinner, Frank showed us some photos of his travels and time he spent in the United States which was really neat to see. Before we knew it, we all went to sleep to wake up for the long boat ride we were taking on our last day.

Around 10 a.m. the next day, we got out to their marina where we went on a long boat ride. It was so cool to see all the homes and towns located next to the rivers we were on. It reminded me of being up at Lake Wawasee in the summer, something I miss so much. We eventually docked at a town called Sint-Martens-Lament. This ended up being where Frank grew up, and he showed us the perfect little path we could walk along for an hour before lunch. It was all Belgian countryside, homes with huge yards, just beautiful. I even befriended a couple sheep along the way.

The town itself was very adorable as well. All white buildings, a little church, nice restaurants. I would love to eventually move to a little place like this one. It was so peaceful - maybe after I've traveled the world for awhile, I can move to some place like this one. We looped back to their boat where we had a lovely lunch full of seafood. After, an ice cream truck pulled up that makes their treats with dairy straight from the cow, and it was so yummy. The perfect way to end such a relaxing weekend. We were so thankful for the opportunity to stay with them and to see a different side of Belgium.

The Venice of the North: Brugge, Belgium

On Friday, I trekked north toward the coast of Belgium to the romantic city of Brugge for a day trip for my art class. The city is a must-see for most tourists visiting Belgium, and now I can understand why. It was dubbed the nickname "Venice of the North" due to the numerous canals, cobblestone pathways, and weeping willows that drape across every street - it's absolutely stunning.

We lucked out, as it was supposed to rain all day while we were there. Instead, we had sunny skies the entire time, making for a perfect day to explore the city. I immediately fell in love. Our professor walked us around for awhile - we visited Sint-Janshospitaal (a hospital from the 11th century that has been converted into a museum with Flemish artwork from artists including Hans Memling). After, we headed across the street to Sint-Salvator's Cathedral to check out the artwork and architecture there as well. Who knew, but apparently Michaelangelo sculpted the "Madonna of Bruges" which rests inside this church that I had the chance to see it. Pretty neat stuff.

After we finished up with our professor, Izzy and I decided to find some food for lunch. All week I've been craving a big juicy burger, and so we happened to cross "Ellis Gourment Burgers" which is a chain found in Belgium and the Netherlands that makes these delicious burgers to eat. Since it was Friday, I decided to treat myself, and chowed down. If you know me and my obsession with sweet/iced tea, then you can understand why I was so pumped about the one I ordered in the photo below (2 months too long).

From here Izzy and I spent the rest of the afternoon exploring the city - enjoy some of my favorite moments below.

Remember when I said I came across that Beguinage in Leuven that housed the religious women? Well, turns out they're pretty common in Belgium, and Brugge had a beautiful one we came across. Our professor told us we came the best time of the year, as the neighborhood had a field full of daffodils that had just bloomed. So gorgeous!

Thank you Brugge for a perfect spring afternoon!

Dinant, You Didn't Disappoint

In my free time here, I've started to read lots of travel blogs to gain new insights and inspiration when it comes to exploring Europe. In doing so, I've come across multiple individuals who have put Belgium high up on their list of some of their favorite places they've visited. And now I can understand why.

If you ever have plans of traveling to Europe anytime soon, please put this little country on your list! While you've got to visit Brussels, Bruges, and Ghent, there are so many precious towns and cities to explore (and it isn't expensive to get to many places!) In working a little research magic, I came across the wonderful town of Dinant. An easy day trip from Leuven, we came for the gorgeous views and to climb the citadel that overlooks the town. 

Getting to your destination is just as much of an adventure as it is once you arrive. I've learned this very quickly. Upon arriving at the train station, I stopped by Panos for a Nutella croissant (something to indulge in when traveling) and got comfortable sitting on the train. I kicked back with my feet resting on the seat across from me. 10-15 minutes pass by, and the conductor comes through to check tickets. Once he arrived to me, I have never heard someone yell so much French. Lesson learned, but apparently you can get fined 25 euros for each FOOT you have rested on the chairs across from you. I pulled off the confused and scared little American card nicely, and thankfully didn't get fined. 

The farther south we traveled, the more French I was hearing. Dinant is located in the Southern half of Belgium -- and everyone speaks the language! I love it. 2 hours later, we pulled into town, with no plans set in stone.

After walking down the street, we turned a corner to this view.

Just stunning. See that huge rock behind the town with the wall? That was the citadel we climbed. Somehow I had this brilliant idea I should get back into running and ran 3 miles the day before. It's safe to say my legs were definitely not happy with my decision to take 300 something stairs up to the top.

But the view was so worth it. The original citadel (no longer intact) was originally built in 1051. The one we climbed today? Built in 1815. (Sorry mom for the following photos!!) but we stood up on the ledge to completely take in views of the city. Don't worry, it was extremely large, and we weren't the only ones doing it. Was it scary? A bit. But it was so exhilarating to just stand up on this wall, looking out over this tiny Belgian town and the beautiful countryside. One of those moments I will surely never forget. 

I'm on top of the world, HEY!

I even got to practice some French at a nearby restaurant where we grabbed some lunch. Dinant, you treated us so well. I can't wait to discover more hidden gems in Belgium while I still have time.

Castles and Coffee and Class - oh my!

Week three is done. I can't believe it'll be a month that I've been gone here soon. Time flies. Unfortunately, I fell ill with a cold and sore throat (my body's way of saying slow down) so there was much more time for relaxation included in my schedule these past couple days. As you know, Monday I visited the beautiful Kasteel van Arenberg. From there, it was class - class - class - coffee - and more class.

I know I will be saying this throughout the entire semester, but I truly have already come to appreciate the education I'm receiving at Hanover College. While the subjects in my courses are extremely fascinating, it's difficult sitting in a lecture for 2-3 hours when there are no discussions to engage in. I am so grateful to have the opportunity to attend this university, but I already know I will be so happy to be back in our 15 student classrooms when I return back in September.

Tuesday, we had a girl's night with Annelien and a few of her friends. We made chocolate fondue that we dipped bananas, grapes, madelines, and marshmallows into and it was heavenly. While many foods taste different here in Europe - both the chocolate and marshmallows taste are out of this world in the best way possible. After indulging in sweet treats, we watched the movie, "The Other Women" in her residence hall's movie theatre.

Speaking of food, I am having McCalister's Sweet Tea withdrawals. I also want breadsticks....and Qdoba chips and queso. I have no clue how I will last the next 4 1/2 months, but I guess I can give in to snacking on some Belgian chocolate to ease my sadness.

Nonetheless, this week did bring a great surprise. My Institutions and Policy of the EU course met for the first time, where I discovered shortly after class began an exciting tidbit of information. My professor explained he was going to be at conferences throughout the semester, so days would vary when we would meet. As soon as he said this, I was curious, and googled him to find out that he serves on the European Commission (a.k.a the executive board of the European Union). How neat is that?! I will be learning all about EU policies straight from someone who serves at the executive level. I've heard the course is extremely tough, but I am so excited to gain knowledge on this area from an EU commissioner himself.

I also checked one of the coffee shops off my list - Koffie Onan. I already know I will be back. Say what you want, but I don't mind spending a few euros on a good vanilla latte. The drink I had was frothy, creamy, and dreamy all at the same time. I had a cliche European moment, as I sat at the cafe watching people walk by and taking in all that the scenery had to offer. It was a blissful moment - my sore throat was thankful for the warm drink as well.

So frothy, so wonderful.

You know how you can buy pillows or frames with cheesy sayings and life lessons to adorn your home with? Well, I've got one I want to custom make already. Life Lesson #1 brought to you by my time in Leuven: "Whether it's taking a different street home or going out of your comfort zone to meet someone new - don't always take the same path in life." I know I am a very task-oriented individual. I like knowing what I'm doing/where I'm going/how I will accomplish things. When you're traveling or living in a new place, that isn't always possible. I'm learning to slow down, to look up, and to take the long way back home - it's doing me wonders.

The cutest apartment I discovered, courtesy of "taking a different path home".

Today, I am catching up on some Cold War History readings and later we're meeting one of Izzy's friends who is currently studying abroad in Paris for dinner. New adventures are in the near future, and I can't wait to see what more this city brings me.

Exploring with Mal: Kasteel van Arenberg

Today brought the most wonderful adventure that I believed deserved its own post. I decided when I woke up this morning that I was going to visit Kasteel van Arenberg, this beautiful chateau located just outside Leuven that reminded me much of Downton Abbey. How did I find this gem, you may be asking? Instagram.

There's a moat, too!

Before arriving in Leuven, I looked up the city's "geotag" on the social media site to discover that this place existed. How neat is that? I found a girl who is actually studying abroad here and started scrolling through her pictures to discover the castle was within walking distance of my residence. After googling "Kasteel van Arenberg" I learned that this place has tons of history, and I mean tons. Since the 12th century, this has been the chateau of the lords of the Heverlee until the 15th century when it was passed from family to family during the Renaissance period.

You can find pretty little things everywhere you look.

Just before the first World War, the duke at the time was trying to sell the chateau to the University of Leuven. Unfortunately, it was seized by the Germans and Austrians once WWI rolled around. It wasn't until 1921 that the University of Leuven gained ownership of the building. Today, it acts as the engineering campus for our university. I can't imagine getting to go to class in a chateau everyday...how dreamy!

Belgium's very own Downton Abbey

The first signs of spring - the tulips are starting to pop up too!

The walk there was so beautiful. Leuven is surrounded by one big loop/highway that acts as the entrance/exit for the city. In order to get to Kasteel van Arenberg, you must cross this highway and then continue onward down this beautiful path lined with old homes and vine-covered fences and gates. If you're from Indianapolis - think Meridian Street, but 10x's more European. It was so romantic. I'm thinking this will be the perfect place to run once it gets a bit warmer out. Upon finally arriving to the castle, you can walk on the grounds and explore.

Another building just next to the castle with the neatest watermills. 

We even got to pet a few doggies being walked along the way! An afternoon well spent - but tomorrow it's back to class!

My Little Slice of Leuven

Week 1 of class is in the books y'all. It's been a crazy, but productive week. I feel like I'm finally getting the hang of things around here, and pretty soon I will hopefully know all the ins and outs of the city!

Updates. I am taking 5 classes here. They include:

-Cold War History
-International Relations and European Integration since WWII
-Genealogy of North African Cultures
-Institutions and Policies of the EU
-Flemish Art & Culture

I am definitely appreciating my time here, but let me tell you - I MISS THE STRUCTURE AT HANOVER. Quite a lot. It's not similar at all. Here, we sit in a lecture hall and the professor talks into a microphone for a couple hours. You take notes, and hope you retain all the information you need. It's very intimidating as well. I am enrolled in two masters level courses, and the rest are provided through the program. It's fascinating to hear professors talk about the United States, to hear their views on current events, and to simply learn about life from a European perspective. I will hopefully snap some pictures of my classrooms soon so you can get a taste for what it looks like, but I will say, I am so happy I chose to go to a private college.

Celebratory First Day of School Waffle - the best in Leuven. 

This week, we had to go to our town hall to get residence permits which was a nightmare. We ended up waiting for almost 3 hours to hand in a couple papers and to get a signature signed. Biggest hassle of my life. I don't do well with patience, and this experience definitely tested me. We did meet a nice guy who was studying abroad from the United States as well, so it made the wait a bit more bearable. Mal also sent me the loveliest note in the mail that I got to read while we waited - it included a "list" of things to do for the month of February - she's the greatest.

What else what else. We spent some more time exploring the city. I have found two coffee shops I want to try: "Le Moustache" and "Koffie Onan". I don't have class on Mondays which is fabulous, so I feel like one Monday when I need a study break, I will be able to stop by.

The nightlife in Leuven is awesome (and very different) to experience. It's just such a unique culture here. They had an orientation party for all the students attending KU Leuven this semester that night, so there was tons to experience. The main strip where you can find Leuven's nightlife is called "Oude Markt". Here there are tons of places to explore - it's so much fun to even people watch just to take it all in.

Finally, after a long week of class - we decided to spend the weekend relaxing and preparing for the week ahead. Today, we made a trip to our library to explore a bit. We had planned on going to a market that is supposedly in front of the building, but there was nothing to be found by the time we got there (market is still MIA).

Okay. So this place is spectacular. It truly feels like I am exploring Hogwarts as I walked throughout the building. In order to get to the main common room, you must walk up these massive marble staircases. You open large grandiose wooden brown doors that lead from one room to the next, and it's just remarkable. All I needed were my robes and a wand and it truly would have felt like I was transported to the wizarding world.

Can't wait for cozy afternoons studying here. 

Can you point me in the direction of the Great Hall? 

We were going to head up to the library tower where you can see some amazing city views of Leuven, but we decided to save it for another day when the rain wasn't our enemy. All in all, a fantastic first week. Next weekend may bring an overnight to Germany (?) and the following we've booked flights to Budapest!

Day Trip: Antwerpen

Tomorrow marks our first week in Leuven. It's crazy how much we've crammed into a week, but things are finally settling down and soon we start our classes. Yesterday, our program took us on a day trip to Antwerpen where we got to explore much of the city. Our train left at precisely 9 a.m. and we were off on an hour ride to the northern part of Belgium. I absolutely love taking the train in Europe, as it is so wonderful getting to ride through the small towns and beautiful homes you find in the countryside.

Upon arriving, our massive group of 39 students split up into 2 groups. While I love learning about the history of the places I visit, I was not a major fan of our tour guide. He was very informative, but he showed us some very odd things, one of which included the parking garage below the train station we got off at (?). By the end we finally got the opportunity to see some historical sites - thank goodness.

Centraal Station, Antwerp

The train station is absolutely beautiful, and one of Belgium's previous kings, Leopold II was attributed for making it all happen. It shares similar architecture to the Palace of Versailles in France as well the Pantheon in Rome - it's absolutely stunning inside as well.

As we continued our tour, we went through little alleyways that led to hidden gems including this one. It was just adorable, and I could've spent all afternoon walking through the cobblestone paths. 

By the end of our 3 hour tour, we saw the cathedral, Grote Markt, and a German neighborhood completely refurbished after the devastation the city experienced post-WWI. At this point, we were allowed to head off to do whatever we wished, so Izzy and I headed for Museum aan de Stroom (MAS). It's a modern museum that was just opened in 2011, offering stunning views of the city from the rooftop. If you ever visit, go here because it only cost us 3 euros to experience it all and let me tell you, it is worth it. 

Museum aan de Stroom

As you climb up the 10 stories, you get stunning views of the city. While you do so, there is much to be explored on each floor in regards to the history of Belgium and the integral role that Antwerp played in WWI. 

We ended up having wifi in the museum, so by the time we reached the top, I ended up getting to FaceTime my mom to show her the views of the city which was great. While it was extremely windy, we lucked out as there was never any rain throughout the day. 

All in all, Antwerpen treated us well - maybe i'll be back soon..