Wow, so hard to sum up such an experience. I will try my best. All I can is that this was the best experience of my life by far. Hands down. I want to thank everyone I've met while in Europe. I already miss all of you so much and greatly look forward to seeing you again, wherever we may be in this crazy world.
After this trip, I still have only seen 9% of the world. Check out this map to see what I've covered so far. Still a lot to do!
After this trip, I still have only seen 9% of the world. Check out this map to see what I've covered so far. Still a lot to do!
Things I've missed since being in Europe:
Family and friends, driving, Jeopardy,
Ellen, my comfy bed, taking a bath, dishwashers, nonsmoking bars/restaurants, not having
to carry cash, knowing when to push or pull on doors, not looking at the
currency exchange, good chai tea lattes, stargazing, being able to
speak proper English without an accent, appetizers, thunderstorms, air-conditioning (sometimes). In terms of food: Super Target,
Starbucks, Chipotle, Flat Top Grill, Kashi Meals, Cliff Bars, Odwalla Bars,
Fiber One bars, Silk milk, Edamame, Hummus.
Other than those things, I really haven’t missed too much. There are so many great alternatives to things over here that make it quite easy.
Things I miss in Innsbruck:
My amazing friends. All Erasmus students. Waking
up everyday to the mountains. Going hiking or skiing. Tomato/Mozzarella
sandwiches, Der Backer Ruetz, the city itself, riding my bike everywhere,
efficient public transportation, crazy nights in Innsbruck, dancing and being
high on life knowing I’m in Europe, Akademikerhilfe, fresh mountain air, most
delicious fresh mountain water from the alps, speaking the little German that I do know, Café
360, Baggersee, walking through the city and always running into someone I
know, always meeting new amazing people, planning trips like it’s my job,
COUCHSURFING, sharing dinners in the kitchen, listening to Konahitz and
awesome European music, parties at Stadt Salle, the Sound of scooters zooming by
outside my window, Cars stopping everytime you cross a street.
Florian fahradd (Name of my bike!), Playing charades trying to figure out what
they said in German, Centro: Hellas chicky pitas!!, Walking through town
knowing that I live here, People being so nice and genuine. Everyone in
class with their pencil holders. Seeing BMW and Mercedes everywhere, Chilis falafel kebabs. How Green everyone
is. Cheap airline carriers. Accents, making parties, keeping my shoes on while
going through airport security, bars open late. Learning so many new things. Latte
machiattos. Traffic lights turning yellow before they turn green. Bob.at.
Improper English, hitting my head on my 1980s tv. My iPhone. Eurotrash, murses. Old women with
purple or random unnatural colors in their hair. My favorite german words:
entahuldigun, bitte, ganow, scheisse. Fannypacks. Free music. Fresh bread,
small European cars.
I could probably go on and on with that list, but those who lived there know exactly what I'm talking about. Innsbruck is the most spectacular city I've ever been to. So easy to fall in love with this place.
After such an exciting journey, I'm finally back in the USA. Nearly two weeks in Illinois and then I flew down to Orlando, Florida for my graduation from the University of Central Florida. I graduated summa cum laude and number one in my class with a
Bachelors of Science in Hospitality and Tourism Management.
I could probably go on and on with that list, but those who lived there know exactly what I'm talking about. Innsbruck is the most spectacular city I've ever been to. So easy to fall in love with this place.
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| Innsbruck, you will always hold a special place in my hear. |
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| Rosen College of Hospitality Management |
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| UCF Graduate |
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| Friends and family after graduation ceremony! |
Since being back I've had a lot of time to relax and catch up with friends and family which has been absolutely great. On the other hand I've also been extremely busy accomplishing a thousand things as well.
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| Back with my family! |
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| My amazing American friends |
To end with a few true amazing quotes:
"When you least expect it, the great
adventure finds you."
"Life is a journey, and only you hold that map."
"I met a lot of people during my travels; I even met myself."
"I met a lot of people during my travels; I even met myself."
"Like all good travelers, I have seen more
than I remember, and have remembered more than I have seen."
"Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile because
it happened. "
"We travel, some of us forever."
"We travel, some of us forever."
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| Innsbruck, Austria |
