For three month (May-August) I've been given the opportunity to study in the Netherlands. When one thinks about studying in Europe, usually England, France, or Italy comes to mind, but the program through my University allows me to participate in a full study abroad experience and do it in the summer complete with three day weekends every week (some weeks I have four day weekends) and three solid weeks of traveling at the end of the month. So, why not the Netherlands? We'll do something a little different, and the best part is I don't have to be fluent in Dutch.
The area I'm going to be studying in is known as the Limburg region (the area shaded in light blue). Maastricht is the red dot at the very bottom of the map. Most of you who know me know that I'm full of random tidbits of information and I shall not disappoint in this blog (I hope). Maastricht argues itself to be the oldest city of the Netherlands (apparently another city claims the same thing and no one is sure who's telling the truth).
***Also, for your random knowledge, I was pleased to find out that the people of the Netherlands are averaged to be the tallest in the world. Yes! No more towering over all my friends, (sorry Amanda).
Anyway, back to Maastricht. The city gets it's name from the Maas river which now runs through the center of the city (traditionally, though, it flowed around the outside walls of the ancient walls). The picture at the top of my blog is of one of the bridges that crosses the Maas into the city proper.
Ok, so geography lesson over! All in all, I would like to say that I'm so excited (and a little nervous, not going to lie here) about this trip and the opportunity to write about my travels. So, stick with me, and let me take you to the lost valleys of the imagination... I think the trip will be fun.
