Summer 2023 #4

July 3, 2023

by Ella Conard, MUDEC student intern

Welcome back to the MUDEC Newsletter! Our students are beginning their last week of classes and preparing for finals, as their time here this summer is coming to an end.

Before heading home, students will be joined by staff, alumni, and host families tomorrow to celebrate the Fourth of July! Chef Stephane is preparing dinner from the grill and everyone will have a chance to play some outdoor games and spend time together.

Later this week, base program students will head home and MUDEC will welcome our last group of the summer before our fall semester students arrive in August. 

Thanks for following along this summer! Before we say goodbye, take a look at some of our students' views on the favorite trips they took, what they learned and what they will miss the most!  

What is your favorite place you traveled to while here?
My favorite place I've visited is definitely Amsterdam. It was so beautiful and every single person there was so kind.

What is one thing you have learned from your time in Europe?
I learned I am capable of navigating a foreign country on my own and without my family. This experience has given me a lot of confidence going into adulthood.

What will you miss the most about being in Luxembourg?
I will miss the amazing people I've met and the connections I have made. Although I am sure I will see them again, we won't ever be in this beautiful country together again.

What piece of advice would you give the students coming in the fall semester?
I would say not to overpack. There's things you'll definitely get once you are here, and you don't want overpacking to stop you.

What is your favorite place you traveled to while here?
My favorite place I've traveled to is Lake Como, Italy! I have traveled to Italy before but Lake Como is a uniquely beautiful place with the most welcoming and kind locals.

What is one thing you have learned from your time in Europe?
One thing I have learned from my time in Europe is how important it is to plan ahead, but also how equally important it is to go with the flow. Organization is key in traveling, but it's also crucial to be spontaneous in new places. Some of the most fun times are when you just come across something to do without planning it.

What will you miss most about being in Luxembourg?
I will, of course, miss the people I've met on this trip the most! Meeting people from Miami here and being able to travel around the world with them is a special bond. I will also miss how easy it is to walk from place to place and Luxembourg's free public transportation!

What piece of advice would you give to students coming in the fall semester?
One piece of advice I have for students coming in the fall is to talk to and meet as many people as you can! This goes for the professors, students on the trip with you, locals from wherever you are, waiters, everyone you encounter! It's a great experience to be able to hear about other people's lives in different parts of the world.

Because this is the last newsletter I will be writing, I wanted to answer these questions too! Here are some of my impressions from the past two months:  

Where is my favorite place I’ve traveled to while here?
My favorite place that I traveled to while I have been here would have to be Amsterdam. I loved the canals and the feel of the city. There is so much history there, but it doesn’t feel stuck in time. I felt at home there, and I loved all the boats that were everywhere. I also loved Vienna, Austria and Malaga, Spain as well. 

What is one thing I have learned from my time in Europe?
I have been to Europe before, which definitely helped me prepare for this European stint. I would say going with the flow is the most important thing; so many things are out of your control, and that is something that I just had to accept. I have also learned the importance of talking to people outside of your group. We made friends everywhere we went because we would talk to strangers at restaurants, tours, etc., and make friends all over the world.

What will I miss most about being in Luxembourg?
I will miss just being in a different environment. It is challenging to adapt to a new place, but it is also incredibly valuable and such a learning experience. I will miss coming to the Château every day and spending time with the staff and students. Lunch was my favorite time of day, because we all got to catch up and relax for an hour. 

What piece of advice would I give to students coming in the fall semester?
I would tell students to go into the experience with no expectations. Be okay with being uncomfortable and stepping outside your comfort zone. Have an open mind in terms of cultural differences. Be open to learning more about yourself and everywhere you are. It is an amazing experience that you will forever be thankful for.

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