Reflections

How can you start to sum up 3 months of traveling in Europe when you've done so much. There's many lessons, experiences, and aspects that have made up this trip, and it's easiest to categorize my reflections.
Traveling:
I woke up in Rindge, New Hampshire for 5 semesters to go to the same buildings and sometimes have the same professors. The biggest change is what I'm doing after class. I'm still in class here but when I get free time, I can wander Europe. Besides the class trips to Salzburg, Innsbruck, Munich, Bavaria, Paris, and Prague, I managed to go to Venice, Rome, Semmering, Budapest, Amsterdam, Berlin, Dresden, Krakow, Auschwitz, Zilina, and many other little places along the way. It's been amazing to see the world. I loved traveling on my own at points because I can do what I want. I've heard from others that they didn't have a good time at places because they were held back by friends and their desire to do other things. When alone, I can do what I want to do and not feel like I was held back.
Learning:
I am a mass communication major and I love that this trip was all about mass communication. I have watched so many European films that I never would have seen in America because we don't really get them. This trip has opened my eyes to the rest of the world and see what is beyond the American borders that doesn't get imported in. I know many people that can't stand subtitled movies because they can't get over the fact that they have to read the translation the whole movie. Honestly, I really haven't watched an English spoken movie in 3 months so when I go back to the states it will feel like something is missing. I feel that once you get into the movie, the subtitles aren't even thought about. You almost forget that it's a foreign film because you get so used to it. I'm glad I've watched so many foreign films.
Social/Relationships:
We are in college; some people don't understand that. I thought high school was bad, but then I came to college and realized it's worse... well when you live with the same 11 students... it found a way to be even worse. This is almost like the Real World over here and I honestly laugh so much when I'm alone because I realize how serious people take things. People talk a lot behind people's back and it gets around to everyone, including the person it was targeting. Like everyone, I have fallen victim to this, but I don't let it get to me now. It really never did because I realize who the gossip people were and how depressing their lives are. They always complain about the way they are and are so hard on themselves, I honestly can't find it in my heart to insult them back, because they do it enough to themselves. I have developed relationships and built onto old ones. I am so glad I came here with some of the people because I made connections with good people. In these relationships I learned that they feel the same way about the people that are trying to bring everybody down. I'm not alone in feeling this way and that's helped me out in laughing about it and letting them get away with it sometimes because I realize that's the only thing that makes them happy. It's the end of the semester, I have put up with a lot but I'm starting to lose my sence of restraint... not from holding back revenge, but informing them of what they haven't noticed. They throw around words that should honestly be placed on themselves, but I guess it's a defence mechanism to keeping them from breaking down. I feel bad for them sometimes. Other than that, I've developed some good friendships with many students here and feel that the 3 months together has helped.
Problems/Complications:
I don't know how somethings happen sometimes, but I've noticed someone is always looking after me. I seem to get into situations that could end badly, but something always makes them swing in my favor. There are so many examples that I feel it's honestly its own category. I'm in Slovakia in a Eurail Pass deadzone, meaning my ticket is invalid. I was confronted by train authorities and they told me I had to pay a fine for fraud ($160), then the actual ticket ($100). After explaining my situation to them for 10-15 minutes, he just smiled and said, "Sit anywhere you want. Don't worry about it." It could have been bad, but it worked out for me. That's not the first train situation, another was on the way to Budapest, Hungary and I altered my ticket. I took a date (11th) and it wasn't validated and turned it into a 18. They held my ticket up to the window to check for pen marks and fluidity of the ink and they kept saying there was a problem with my ticket. I played it cool and they just handed me my ticket and said, "Here you go." I know others in the group did the same thing but they got screwed over. I feel the same thing should have happened to me; I was lucky. Another time is just recently... I overdrew my bank account and they charged me $117 in overdraft fees. After calling up the bank and explaining my situation, they told me many times that they can't do anything about it because it wasn't a bank error. I got a little personal with the representative and the supervisor and then the manager... I explained I took complete responsibility for my mistake, but I was asking them a favor and eventually they rebated me the overdraft fees. So many stories like this have happened here, and I know I'm alone a lot of the times, but sometimes I feel someone or something is always looking over me. I guess Karma is working for me.
Missing Home:
This is the longest I've ever been away from home. Yes, I'm in college I'm 1 1/2 hours from home... but I can always go back home on the weekends or when I want. This is 3 months without my mom, dad, sister, other relatives, and my girlfriend. I'm so grateful that my girlfriend stayed by me even though I left for Europe. She never liked the idea and is mad about it, but she has always been supportive. I respect that so much and it honestly has built our relationship more because we met new people and never once wanted someone else. We know how strong our relationship is and how in love we are, and we waited for each other and that showed me a lot about how strong our love is. We webcam everyday, talk on the phone when I'm on excursions, but nothing is the same as being able to touch or see her right in front of me. Less than 1 week left and I can't wait to actually be able to hold her in my arms again.

Final exams are coming up and the end of the semester abroad. It has been an amazing time and I recommend this trip to anyone. It is the best time of your life because you experience the way people live in a land far from yours. I am so glad I came. I learned so much.

An Interesting Foreigner

While in Munich, I went to the bar/restaurant in the Hostel and sat down to get something to drink when I noticed the girl next to me speak very good English. Many times I start conversations here by telling them I notice they speak English, and then ask them where they were from. Sometimes I get answers that freak me out how small a world it is, by telling me they are from the town next to me (this happened twice). In very good English she responds, Equador. I honestly thought English was her first language when I heard her speak. We started talking about why we are here in Europe and specifically Munich, Germany. We brought up our home countries and what it's like there. It was just really cool meeting somebody who has never been to America and having so much in common with her because we find ourselves in Europe doing the same thing. While I'm North American and she is South American, we found a common ground and talk for a long while. We eventually had to go different directions that night, but it was really fun talking to somebody who has never been to the United States and finding out what she thinks about us. We got eachothers names down and are keeping in touch via Facebook.

Salzburg, Innsbruck, Venice, Munich, Bavaria, and Dachau

Wow, what a week! It's so amazing how much of Europe you can fit in only 7 days, and yet feel like you were on the road for weeks. At first we went to see if the hills were really alive with the sound of music and maybe see high on the hills that lonely goat... but the rain must have scared the goat away and took the sound with him. Despite the weather, I really enjoyed Salzburg very much. When we first got there we walked around and saw the old town, the beauty of the Alps, Mozart's birthplace, a few places where the sound of music was shot at, and the Fortress at the top of the hill. The next day we went to the Salt Mines, which were really sweet (errr...salty?) I liked them. Then the day after we took the Sound of Music Tour! Which brought us to all of the outside locations the film took place in: The Gardens, the streets, the churches, Captain Von Trapp's mansion, and the gazebo. The rain kind of made everything a little less enjoyable, but it was still fun.
Then we went off to Innsbruck, Austria to meet up with the Spring Breakers from Franklin Pierce. Some of us went up the mountain and took a lot of pictures, after the whole group of Vienna students took a tour of the city.

The next day was a free day, and I went to VENICE, ITALY! W00T!
Venice was amazing. We left at 5am, got there at 11am, went to a glassblowing place and watched some guy make cool things out of glass, and then we were left to wander on our own at noon. I walked all around and took many pictures and got many souveniers. Venice was just beautiful. I loved it. We left at around 4pm and that pretty much sums up the day.

The next day we left for Munich and did our art presentations and then go to the Hofbrauhaus! Which is where I believe Oktoberfest is held. The next day we went to Bavaria and saw CrAZy Ludwig's Castles. One of the castles gave Walt Disney the idea for the castle in Disney World, so it was cool seeing what inspired him. Overall though, I wasn't too impressed. That night i walked around the city and went to the Hard Rock Cafe and other places around town.
The next day we went to the Bavarian Film Studios, which was cool because we saw the sets of many European films and even acted in our own =) I was the purple guy from Star Trek. We even got to see Falcore... from the Never Ending Story. After that I saw something that wasn't something I was enthusiastic to see, but something I had to see, and that was Dachau Concentration Camp. It was so overwhelming that I didn't know what to feel because I felt angry, sad, depressed, free, and about 10 other feelings at the same time. I went to the memorial there and payed my respects to the 7 children my grandfather lost in the Holocaust. The hardest thing was seeing the Krematorium and walking through the gas chamber and seeing the ovens. It's something I hated to be put through, but I wanted and needed to.
That night we left back for Vienna and it ended our 1 week on the road. While it was very tiring and fast paced, it was so worth it.

Rome, Italy

Wow, where do I begin... 3 nights and 4 days in Rome was one of the most incredable experience I've ever done. There are so many highlights, but it's better if I tell this like a timeline.
Pre-trip information:
Nicole and I wanted to get away for the long 4 day weekend, so we decided to take a trip to Rome! We booked a Hostel for 9 Euro ($12) per night and decided to ask if anybody else wanted to go last minute; Ryan decided to join us. So Nicole and I now had another fellow classmate join.
The trip started at 7:23PM on Thursday night, and the train would take 13/14 hours to get to Roma Termini. The trip was long, but we met a few European teens who were delighted to have a conversation with us in English. I managed to sleep about 3 hours on the train.
On Friday at around 9AM we got to the station and went to go find our hostel. It was a beautiful place that was very secure, friendly, and located 5 minutes from the terminal. We left our bags there and I saw this girl who was unpacking, she smiled and said hi. After about 30 seconds, I found out she went to the same high school as my father in Petah Tikvah, Israel. We became friends very quickly and she would join us until she left for Israel. Our first day I split off from the group and went with Chen (the CH is pernounced like CHannukah, or leCHaim). We went to the Republic, then got lunch. Pizza no doubt. After the amazing food we went to the center of Rome, saw the old ruins and then looked to our left and saw the incredable Coluseum. I knew I was in Rome when I first arrived, but seeing this landmark really made me know I was in the center of Rome. Infront of me was the whole premasis of "Bread and Circus", the Gladatorial Games, and what kept the Roman citizens happy. We toured more of the city, and then went back to the hostel and slept.
Friday we went on a more detailed trip and saw the shopping streets, the Spanish steps, more ruins, and other marvoulous architecture. We toured much more of the city and went back to look at the Coloseum again, and eat at other restaurants.
Saterday was great. We went inside of the Coloseum and it was incredable. They are rebuilding part of the floor, so you can understand what it was like there. Just being in the center of the Coloseum looking around at the seats and where the emporer sat was just incredable. That day we went to many other places. I went to the Tribute fountain, and up to the northern end of the city, and just all over. I had lunch on the river with this guy I met at the hostel from Buffalo, New York, and we saw where Caesar was assassinated. That night I went out to a few bars with the friends I met at the hostel and met 2 girls from the town next to me in Massachusetts. Such a small world! Then I met this other girl who knew one of my friends from my college, and was travelling with her... again SMALL WORLD. It was a lot of fun.
Sunday we caught up on all the places we missed or wanted to see again. We managed to go shopping, go to the Pantheon, and other places to the West of the city.
Monday was quite incredable, we went to another country within Rome. For those who don't know their geography I'm talking about Vatican City. I went inside the museaum and saw works by many famous artists, such as Raphael and Michaelangelo. The Sistine Chapel was incredable. I was all of a sudden in this long narrow and tall room, and I look up and see the "Creation of Man," where G-d is touching Adam's finger. Absolutely Incredable. That day we packed up and left for Vienna.
This trip was so amazing and I managed to keep my budget on track. I spent less than $150 for 4 days, because the Hostel was only $12 a night, and it included breakfast and dinner. So worth it. I am off to Salzburg this weekend, and then Innsbruck, and then Munich, and then Venice? I will recap all of my journeys when I return.
Auf Wiedersein.

Only One Week In

It has only been 7 days since I first arrived in Vienna and I already feel like a local. I came to this country with 4 German phrases and no idea of the cultural shock to come. In one week I have learned the streets of Vienna, learned basic conversation, picked up on the accent, and even traveled to the Alps. It is so amazing here. I love having a dream about being in America and then waking up and realizing I'm in Europe, I get so happy.
The city of Vienna is incredible. If any building was moved from here to Boston, it would be the centerpiece of the city, but it's just another building over here. I think I've seen it all, but then I turn the corner and another masterpiece is standing before me.
Daily life here is really fun because it turns basic errands into adventures. When you don't speak the language, it becomes a lot more difficult and you feel so much better about yourself when you successfully communicate with somebody.
My fellow students are all great. We all get along very well and there hasn't been any problems thus far. We are a good group of students who have a good level of trust within eachother.
The people here are a lot different than in America, because they are very firm, and sometimes rude. People like to walk around with they mouth closed and their arms only to propel their walk, never to wave. After being here 1 week, I realize they are like a cactus, they show they don't want to be disturbed on the outside, but they are soft on the inside. Most people here speak at least a little English, so when I don't know how to say something in German, they can understand my English. I try to speak as much German as possible, but some people tell me not to because many people know English, and German is only spoken in 2 countries. I feel other people are different because when they hear the American accent or hear my English, they get rude.
To a completely different topic, I have managed to travel outside Vienna this weekend and went southwestern to the Austrian Alps to go snowboarding. The Alps are so beautiful. It is just one gigantic beautiful mountain after another and it goes as far as the eye can see.
I love it here in Vienna and it seems like I have too many memories for only 1 week, but that's something I can't complain about. I hope I can get the most out of this trip. But as of the first week, it was amazing =D

10 Words That Describe Me

Optimistic- No matter what problem or obstacle I face, I always stay positive. Sometimes when you feel there is no way out, this trait makes you find a way.
Funny- I am very goofy and I love to make people laugh. This is who I really am, but sometimes I can seem professional and shy because there are times being silly isn't good.
Generous- I tend to put other people before myself. What's the point of life if you aren't happy? I make myself happy knowing that I made someone else happy.
Creative- I write deep guitar songs (lyrics and instrumentals), make movies, and draw. A lot of my recreation time is spent being creative in some way.
Ambitious- I have a dream of making movies in Hollywood and I won't give up. My dream is very important to me because I've wanted to do this since 6th grade.
Intellectual- You do what you have to do to do what you want to do. I feel being intellectual is a big part of who I am because I can think for myself. I've visited the Dean's list 3 of 4 semesters and I also tutor upperclassmen in Physics since I was a Sophomore.
Talented- For some reason when I pick up something new, I learn very fast. Once I learn something, I keep getting better and better and I love improving. I play guitar, wakeboard, slalom ski, barefoot, draw, and aggressive inline skate very well.
Confident- I know I can do a lot of impressive things, but I'm not cocky about it. This is a great trait to have a little of because I can step up to the plate when I want to, but I don't act arrogant.
Reliable- People can trust me with information, tasks to complete, and much more and have faith that I will do what they ask. This is just who I am because I feel no need to betray somebody for entertainment.
Mature- Unfortunately I grew up way too fast with the childhood I had, but I grew up to be a very mature individual who can act professionally when applicable. I realize this trip will put me on a new continent and I have to be smart about decision making, and I feel I will make the right decisions.

Interpersonal Relationships

"My sister and I a few years ago at our summer house"





There are only a few people who really know me deep down. For this reason I decided to interview my sister and my girlfriend. My girl Brittany is very honest with me and my sister Alyssa wont hesitate to give me criticism, which I guess can be constructive =P.

My strengths:
My sister was with me growing up, and I had to pave the way in the hard home life we had. She told me that I am emotionally strong and able to handle a lot of stress and pressure. She said that many people rely on me and I must have a high tolerance of stress. When I asked my girlfriend what my strengths were she told me the same thing. She knows my college life and that I am making the most of it. She added generosity and kindness to my strengths when she said I would do anything for a friend. I always put other people before myself. This is a great strength, but is also a big weakness.

My weaknesses:
The fact that I put other people before myself really hurts me in the end, because I never have time or effort to do things for me. My sister agreed to this comment because when it comes down between doing something for myself or my family, my family comes before myself. My girl added by saying I have a hard time opening up to people. I have been scared because I have trusted people and had them turn around and hurt me very bad. Because of this, I tend to keep my emotions inside.

Analyze:
No matter how much you know yourself, it always helps to hear things about yourself from others. Back in my hometown I just lived my life and I knew I did things for other people, but I didn't really realize that I do things for other people, even when it's an inconvenience for myself. I know I don't open up, but it's hard for me. Even back in middle and high school I never opened up to friends because of the home life I had. I never thought of it as a big deal but my friends and family are always trying to get me to show my real feelings.

The next few weeks:
I really want to start doing more things for myself. By going to Europe, this is really an experience for nobody but myself. I really want to meet some good friends that I can be open with. It may take me a little while to fully open up, but I really need to break my habit.