by Global Learning Semesters
Students got ready for the important meeting we had at the European Parliament, in Brussels. All packed away the torn jeans and flip flops and put on their smart, elegant clothes and ready to learn more about the European Union. After the meeting we wondered in the city center and unquestionably everybody tried the famous Belgian waffles and the Belgian chocolates…
- Mia
A small break in the middle of our trip was in Leuven. The small city that surprised everyone. Once we arrived there students were wondering what was there to see or do. Leuven is known throughout the word for the remarkable architecture. The Great Market Square of Leuven is covered with many cafes, restaurants and bars with indoor and outdoor seating.
- Mia
Strasbourg is a stunning city; centered on an island formed by the river Ill and the canal that surrounds the historic center. We had a stop and to take pictures of the Council of Europe which is the one of the main EU institutions (the other 2 being the European Parliament and the European Commission).
The meeting at the European Commission Representation in Luxembourg called for the students to be dressed up. They were about to meet with EU officials. Mr. Werner Poerch gave us very useful information about the European Commission Representation. After the meeting we had the chance to walk around the city center.
- Mia
On our way to Dachau we watched the documentary on the Dachau Concentration Camp so that everyone knew the historical facts before visiting the camp and be prepared for what they were about to experience.
Leaving Vienna behind and following the road to Salzburg we had to stop at Melk Abbey which is one of the world’s most famous monastic sites.
We eventually arrived at Mozart’s birthplace and the place where the Sound of Music was filmed. We actually drove to Salzburg to the rhythms of the Sound of Music! The sightseeing of the town was unguided and students in groups walked to every corner of it. Visited Mozart’s House and Salzburger Dom (the city’s cathedral), and climbed Salzburg’s fortress to see the panoramic view of the city from the one side and the Alps from the other side.
We of course all tried the giant pretzels that are baked in more than 10 different flavors and the Mozart chocolates. Yummy!
- Mia
Bratislava is right on the Danube River that flows from Vienna down to Budapest. Our stop in Bratislava was short but enjoyable. Our guide took us to the Main Square, with the Old Town Hall that contains the City Museum and the City Archives. We saw the Slovak National Theater and the big castle that overlooks the city.
Vienna!!! One of the most multifaceted cities in Europe. One of the favorite cities we visited. The State Opera House and the Lobkowitz Palace where Beethoven premiered his Third Symphony, in 1803. St. Stephen’s Cathedral, the biggest church in the city and the Schonbrunn Palace with its’ miraculous gardens! Some students tried the delicious Wienerschnitzel which is the traditional dish. We also visited the Krawinahaus, the houses which were painted by the Hundertwasser, and that was a good spot for purchasing souvenirs and post cards.
- Mia
Amazing! Unanimously agreed. The tour was long but nobody seemed to care. Prague is like a poem transformed to a city. We walked around the lit castles and bridges and the view was beautiful! Some students enjoyed the Black Light Theater and others had coffee next to the Astronomical Clock.
- Mia
A brief stop at Dresden was all we needed to grab something to eat but most importantly walk around in the beautiful city to admire the Royal Palace and the Zwinger palace gardens.
- Mia
From Charlemange to Bismark, Nazism and the Berlin Wall, Germany is the Heart of Europe. Students enjoyed Berlin very much and everyone noticed haw clean the city is and how organized the buildings are in the city. We walked along the Berlin Wall and were surprised to see that the Wall is not as tall as we all imagined it to be.
We visited the Holocaust Monument and the Checkpoint Charlie which became a symbol of the Cold War, representing the separation of east and west.
- Mia
Today, our Semester in Europe students go on the Europe trip with me and Marianna. It will be quite an experience as we visit 9 European countries in 2 weeks! You could definitely see the excitement in everyone’s eyes and the big smiles on their faces. The Europe trip was about to begin.
Hungary! Even though it was early in the morning when we arrived there, the sightseeing in Budapest managed to keep all of us wide awake and very eager to see and learn about the “Queen of the Danube”. We visited the Castle District and the River Danube. Budapest is also known for its Spas.
- Mia
On Wednesday, April 9, students on GLS study abroad programs in Cyprus visited the US Embassy in Nicosia to learn more about the Foreign Service and the work that the Embassy does on the island. Students had the opportunity to meet Ambassador Schlicher and officers from the Management, Political, Economic, Public Affairs, and Consular sections, as well as officers of the USAID and Bicommunal Support Program.
The US Ambassador to Cyprus, Mr. Ronald Schlicher welcomed the students and spoke about the goals of the Embassy and the Cyprus issue. He also pointed out issues that make Cyprus unique; the role of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus; Cyprus’s accession to the European Union and ethnic conflicts. Ambassador Schlicher also told the students how his daily work is like and about his previous Foreign Service experience which was definitely noteworthy and inspiring. Some students even said that they felt motivated to follow a career in International Relations and probably in the Foreign Service.
The officers from the various Embassy departments gave valuable information to the students about the work they do in their departments and unquestionably enlightened them what it means to represent the US abroad through a position in the Foreign Service.
Below is a picture from the visit.
On March 22 we left for our trip to the Mediterranean. Students on our Semester in Europe, Global Semester: World Cultures and Semester in the Mediterranean programs attended this trip as part of their program travel. Everyone was very excited and anxious at the same time to finally get to meet this part of the world. Our journey began in Athens. While there, the group had the opportunity to visit the Parthenon and the Acropolis and walk through the Agora. You could see in the face of every student the admiration for the Greek architecture that revealed this ancient civilization. In Athens, we also had the chance to enjoy the famous Greek cuisine and walk around the Monastiraki area (flea market). Some of the students actually had the chance to visit one Greek island on their free day.
The group at the Acropolis
Veronica, Ashley, Caitlin, Anna and Jamie in front of the Caryatides.
Our trip continued to Rome. As soon as we arrived we had an arranged guided tour of the city of Rome. We of course had to throw a coin in the Trevi Fountain and go up and down the Spanish Steps! On the next day we visited the Colosseum and the Vatican.
At the Trevi Fountain
On our way to Florence we stopped to see the famous Laaning Tower of Pisa where of course we had to take the ‘must’ pictures!
Then… my favorite city, Florence! Florence is a gorgeous city. Built in Medieval times you can actually feel the history coming out of the bricks of every building. In Florence we visited the Ufizzi and the Academia Museum, where we admired the Michelangelo’s statue of David. I don’t need to mention the food and shopping? Well, we were in Italy… so you can imagine! ☺
Mia and Marianna in Florence
Last on the itinerary but certainly not least was Venice. Some chose to visit the famous St. Mark’s Square and Basilica, while others preferred to go on a gondola ride. Either way, every one had a great time in Venice and it was a great finish for our trip to the Mediterranean!
On our way to Venice
- Marianna