Europe
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A tourists guide to Amsterdam
By Rose Vollum, University of Amsterdam, Netherlands Becoming a hostess with the mostess is a rite of passage when doing a year abroad, especially when you’re just an hour flight away from home. Throughout my year in Amsterdam, I’ve had many friends and family come to visit! It’s always fun to become a tour guide, as it allows you to see the city in a different light and explore places you wouldn’t normally. However, initially, due to the wealth of activities available in Amsterdam, I found it a bit daunting trying to decide what to do and where to show people. Here is a list of all my favourite touristy…
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A hidden perk of doing a year abroad
By Rose Vollum, University of Amsterdam, Netherlands One of the hidden perks of international study is getting to visit fellow year-abroaders. It means you have free accommodation and a knowledgeable tour guide for a weekend away! After eight months apart, Emily and I decided it was about time we visited each other in our respective cities. Emily is currently studying French in Lyon, while I’m doing geography in Amsterdam.
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A day trip to Tallinn: What to do and see!
by Chloe Bolton, University of Helsinki, Finland Here’s a fun fact: the closest capital to Helsinki is Tallinn (Estonia). The two are closely linked via the many ferries that go from Finland to Estonia daily. Most of Helsinki’s ports will have a couple ferries going to Tallinn which means you’ve got plenty of choice when it comes to times and prices!
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A guide to Amsterdam in the Summer
By Rose Vollum, University of Amsterdam, Netherlands Given that good weather is such a rarity in Amsterdam, it can be tough to know what to do when the sun finally arrives. After our recent heatwave, I thought it might be useful to compile a guide to the best spots to visit when it’s hot!
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Embracing Life in Amsterdam: Tips for Settling In
By Rose Vollum, University of Amsterdam, Netherlands Moving abroad can be daunting! While I now feel completely integrated into the Amsterdam lifestyle, it took some time before I felt adjusted into my new flat and routine. Here are some tips for settling in during your first few weeks: 1. Embrace the new way of life I think getting a bike is essential for feeling at home in Amsterdam. It gives you so much freedom and is the fastest way to get about! I got my bike, Ranger, for 80 euros from Waterlooplein market. And while we have had some tough moments, including 4 punctures and a broken brake, she has…
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Why you should make Albania your next place to visit
By Hannah Castenskiold, Universiteit van Amsterdam, Netherlands Being on a year abroad is one of the easiest ways to catch the travel bug. For a group of us in Amsterdam, as much as we love this city, UvA’s easter holiday was the perfect opportunity to explore somewhere new. After a while of negotiating the cookies of skyscanner and rome2rio, we found that taking the bus to Brussels then flying to Tirana, Albania was the cheapest option, and to our luck, one of the best, undiscovered places Europe has to offer.
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Exams all year round? What’s up with the differences between UH and UOM
by Chloe Bolton, University of Helsinki, Finland Okay, so forget everything you’ve learned about exam season over the past two years, and get ready for exam year. Lucky for you, the grades you get here don’t count towards your final degree, so don’t stress, all you need is a pass. Unlucky for me, I’m doing better here than I was in Manchester.
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Seeing the Northern Lights in Finland!
By Chloe Bolton, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland It truly is a breath-taking experience. You can see them all year round in Helsinki if you’re lucky, but if it’s a must on your bucket list it is worth going up North to Oulu or anywhere in Lapland. I was lucky enough to see the northern lights a few times this year in Finnish Lapland (December), in Oulu (February) and in Helsinki (May), but a lot of people saw them from Helsinki in September. If you are on the lookout you should be able to see them more often than that!To stay alert I would recommend the Aurora app, it’ll notify…
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Cafes & bakeries in Berlin
By Hannah-Louise Sampson, Freie Universitat Berlin, Germany Berlin is popular for many things, from it’s vibrant night life, diverse culture and rich history, you’ll never be short of things to do. Amidst all its excitement, one of my favourite things to do is enjoy a coffee and sweet treat at a cozy cafe, while I romanticise my life ( it’s becoming my main personality trait…) Whether I’m going solo or catching up with friends, I absolutely love the vibes of a good coffee shop. So, I’ve made a list of a few of my top café picks in Berlin. Isla Coffee Located in Flughafenkiez, Isla coffee has it all; good…
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A Year to Remember in Milan
By Txell Borras, Università Bocconi, Italy. Returning home after a year abroad in Milan feels like waking up from a dream. Even though coming back home is exciting, the buzzing ambiance of Milan, its streets flooded with style and fashion, and the aroma of freshly brewed espresso will definitely be missed. Reflecting on this incredible journey, I can’t help but feel a mix of nostalgia and gratitude for the amazing friendships, the adventures, and the invaluable lessons I’ve gathered along the way.
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Bored in Bergen? Why not get a tattoo?
By Georgiana Marinescu, University of Bergen, Norway This may be an unusual activity to write a blog about, but if you love tattoos like I do, this post is for you.
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Ice Bathing In Norway:
By Georgiana Marinescu, University of Bergen, Norway If you have the opportunity to visit Norway or study there for a year like me, you will find that ice bathing is a very common sport all around.
