🙌🏻 @boilersabroad. Looking for a winter break program? Check these guys out. Emily, here, just returned from her HTM experience in Thailand. @eaw.photo #BoilersAbroad @purduehtmlife @purduehhs Photo Cred: @shelby_jane_photography #studyabroad #kenilworthglobal https://www.instagram.com/p/BsZGckDFUPv/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=12c2j8ke3la7t

Got to visit Brandenburg gate today! #boilersabroad (at Brandenburger Tor)

Traveling is tiring to say the least. I thought going to Indiana from Florida was a big deal but when I got on the air plain to London I did’t know how tiring traveling could really be. 7 hours and 45 minutes. That is how long it took us to leave little old USA and land in London. Now that  felt like forever to me! I was tired and altogether uncomfortable while on the plane. Not saying that the service wasn’t great. It was; I was just to tired. Flying internationally was different. Like this plane actually had different classes; “first class to coach class”. Since we flew British Airways the the snacks were different too!Enough about the traveling! To say that I was scared and excited is an understatement. I was ecstatic and frightened! I was going to a new country with people I didn’t know to well learning about a different culture. I was going to see how slavery affected a different place, I was going to to ride on the London Eye, and I was for sure going to eat fish and chips! So please continue to read this blog as I tell you about my spring break across the ocean!

All I can say is what a trip! I am so tired yet not at the same time. My flight from Washington, DC to Vienna was so long. I think I only slept an hour on the entire trip. When we arrived at the airport we got our luggage and then looked for our buddies. My buddy was waiting for me with a sign. Stu's buddy also met us there. The four of us then traveled to the apartment offices in the first district. On the way we passed where Stuart lived and the entire time I kept asking myself what I got myself into. I got my key with no problems but Stuart has to wait till 2 pm to get his key. We then separated and Karin, my buddy, took me to there tram to go to my apartment. However Karin had to get back to BOKU so she sent me on my way. I wasn't worried till I got off at my stop and was standing cluelessly around the stop wondering where to go next. So finally I asked someone if they knew where my apartment was and I pointed at my flyer I had with a picture and the address. He then proceeds to speak in German as I try to understand where he is talking about. I walk in the way he points and I thought I saw my apartment but then I second guessed myself and kept walking. Finally, I gave up and asked another lady on the street and she told me I went one block to far. But as least that meant I was done dragging my luggage around. I am now sitting at a McDonald's down from my apartment. No one is home at the moment and I can't figure out our WiFi in our apartment.

Rick Steves is America's leading authority on European travel. Plan your own trip or take one of Rick's value-packed European tours. Everything you need is here.

Looking forward to attending Welcome Days.

One of my main goals while being abroad is learning to slow down. America is a fast-paced country. At Purdue, I usually take 18 credit hours, I am actively involved in 5 clubs, and I am a social butterfly. I never take the time to "slow down and smell the roses." I usually book myself from dawn to dusk with classes, meetings, and social time. I want to learn how to take the time to casually walk in the city rather than rushing from place to place. I want to be able to sit for hours, just sitting there rather than panicking about missing a meeting or worrying that I am not being productive. 

Also, I want to thank Purdue University for there Study Abroad Scholarship. Their financial support has made it possible for me to study abroad, and I love that Purdue promotes international understanding.