A lasting memory of this experience will be running around and laughing with my friends in Europe at 19 years old. It was so surreal to meet new people in a totally different country and get closer to them as you all work through the class assignments and challenges together. For example, I had so much fun on the Gazelle tour. Riding bikes in the beauty of the outside Netherlands while we were all laughing as Taofeekat was being pushed on the bike towards us was, and laughing at each other as we attempted to swing on old ropes and tire swings was so funny. We ate ice cream together and during that moment it hit me, I was a teenager living something out of a movie. Everywhere around us was so green, the trees were big and there were beautiful grassy areas and plants, it felt unreal. The ride back to Gazelle headquarters was just as fun and the workers really tried to get to know each of us and they were really inclusive.
One person that taught me something that I will remember is the possibility that you could be a double major in mechanical engineering and art. When I met Jaden I found out that’s what he’s pursing and I became really interested in seeing if I could do the same. I love art and drawing so the possibility of being able to double major peaked my interest and I will continue to look into this possibility.
One of the days I experienced in Paris was running up a giant hill carrying baguettes and cake with Max and Jenny only to miss our bus and laugh so much Jenny cried. This was another moment where it hit me that this nonsense would only occur in Paris. Where else would I be sprinting with baguettes??
One of my favorite eating experiences in Paris was eating 3 flavors of chocolate ice cream in a rose form. The fact that they had 3 flavors of chocolate was CRAZY! I love chocolate so to be able to taste different versions of it at the same time was neat. We got this ice cream as a group on our last day of being in Paris. We were skipping to the ice cream place while singing and laughing reminiscing all the nonsense that has occurred while in Paris.
If you’re considering doing the iSEED Europe experience DO IT!! I was nervous to do it because my parents had never been to Europe before or traveled abroad at all for that matter. However, I had so much fun. I met new people and had incredible one of a kind experiences like sitting by the canal looking at the Eiffel Tower sparkle with my friends or making fun of each other as we held up the line trying to separate our trash.
My favorite part of my experience in Paris was being in the city itself. I really enjoyed Paris. I thought the public transport was pretty good, the architecture was pretty and the food was tasty. Although we walked about 20,000 steps a day, it was so worth it to see all the monuments and taste different foods. I couldn’t believe at 19 I got to see Europe. I am really grateful for this iSEED experience.
Song of the day: https://youtu.be/P9CvQYMAGzw?si=-siMygurzm_ygEIN