However, I immediately thought Groningen was AWESOME. I have never been anywhere like this in my entire life, it is so cool looking! I was worried before leaving that I would be disappointed that the US and the Netherlands weren't that different...that has not been a problem!
We didn't have anything scheduled for the first day, so we wandered around the city exploring, (that day was freezing, we thought after 20 F degree weather in NY, 40 F here couldn't possibly be cold?). On Thursday we had our university introduction, which was nice, in the giant Academiegebouw (Academy Building). Friday was the Social Sciences department orientation, pretty standard stuff. I like that the university is big enough to have multiple libraries and things like that...not something I am used to at Geneseo. Everyone was very friendly, looking forward to my classes. Although it was weird to be given alcoholic drinks at a school function. 0_o Apparently this is normal outside the US....
We all joined this thing called the Erasmus Student Network which is a big European organization for international students. They organize events for us (renting out bars, organizing trips, etc) and it has been really excellent! Thursday we met our introduction week group and went to our hosts house for dinner (the Dutch can make mushed up vegetables taste good). After that we went into the city center for a pub crawl, it is nice to go to a college that actually has a night life! (love you Geneseo, but...).
Saturday I got my bike--I really like it, it is in great shape and it wasn't too expensive, I got lucky with it (fingers crossed that nothing breaks...). Sunday we spent the day at ACLO which is the sports center here. Sunday night was GREAT--we actually watched Superbowl in a Dutch bar which was so much fun! But of course it didn't end until 5AM time here.....
Basically I have been having a great time here! Classes start next Monday, I think I am registered for all of them but it is a bit confusing...? I tried to go to the store yesterday to buy shampoo and stuff and that took for ever because I couldn't read the labels ;(. I really need to learn more Dutch, I am working on it... I am registered for a day trip to Amsterdam in two weeks, I know I will be visiting the Anne Frank Museum but I am not sure what else is planned, looking forward to it.
Some observations about the Netherlands:
- Stairs and ladders are the same thing.
- There are no fat Dutch people. They are all skinny and 6 feet tall. Even the girls are 6 feet tall....
- There are four main food groups: bread, cheese, sausage, and beer (which doesn't seem to make sense with all the skinniness?).
- Stores close really early and everything is closed on Sunday (except the bars of course). This is compared to America, where even Geneseo with a population less than 10k has two 24/7 stores....
- Everything they sell in the store is much smaller, and I think people must shop nearly everyday because they come in, buy five things, and leave?
I have more observations of course but they are escaping me at the moment...on to the pictures!
The canal! (Yes...this is actually real! Not a postcard!! And I get to live here for while! =D)
Me looking mysteriously morose. Dutch snack food...?
My room...beautiful gigantic windows! It is in an old elementary school building, it is quite nice for a dorm!
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Interesting Dutch architecture..? My "room" is a little loft with not enough room to stand up...and a ladder...but it is actually not as annoying as I expected!
My little loft. Very....cozy?
The kitchen...and my roomie in the background!
More pictures soon!
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