Summer 2023 #5

July 17, 2023

by Stephanie Shaheen, Associate Director, MUDEC 

L-R:  Adam, Sam and Nick S.

We thought we'd share some student reflections from last semester (Spring 2023). MUDEC intern Adam Witzman interviewed students and asked their favorite travel memories as well as how to find your own fun in Differdange and Luxembourg in-between trips abroad.

A note: normally MUDEC is 70%-80% female, but last semester we had more men, who comprised 40% of the student body! We also had six students named Nick or Nicolas.

Here is some of what Adam learned:

Nicolas C. 

Nick S., Adam, Sam, and Nicolas C.

Nicolas Conway
Eindhoven in the Netherlands was a great experience. My extended family invited me to participate in one of the biggest festivals of the year. I went with a group of my friends and we were able to see how the event was celebrated, the different fun music, and costumes that people were wearing. I loved the family aspect and being able to connect more with my heritage. It was a great time.

Samuel Schoen
When I visited Italy, I got to tour the small town of Terni where a family friend lives; we had previously hosted her as an exchange student. I tried homemade pastries, saw one of the biggest waterfalls in Europe, and enjoyed a traditional meal in her family’s restaurant. It was very powerful and emotionally connecting.

Nicholas Sullivan
We traveled to Morocco and went on a hike in a remote village where we were served the local cuisine. It was a unique experience, and I really appreciated getting a glimpse into life in a traditional African village.

Adam Witzman
With a full semester at MUDEC, travel is only part of the experience. One of the biggest benefits is finding yourself and picking up new hobbies. From discovery tours to pick-up basketball games and bike tours around the city, students found many ways to occupy their time while in Luxembourg.

A group of students took matters into their own hands, purchased a basketball, and started a club. Inclusive to all, Lux Hoops, as they called themselves, would show up at the local park nearly every weekday. The social dynamic, exercise, and ability to have fun on the weekdays in between classes and after school changed the semester of those involved for the better.

The group planned to leave the ball they purchased at the Château for future students, in hopes that they can continue the tradition. Lux Hoops transformed into something a lot bigger than we thought it would, and I hope that other students can do things like that with their time at MUDEC.

Nick Perez
Lux Hoops changed my semester! Once I started playing it felt like a switch was flipped.

Photo courtesy of Olivia

Olivia Bickford
This semester I picked up photography and film. I feel like it was a great way to express myself creatively and now I have a lot of work to show for it.

Roger Dafoe
I’m a big walking guy. I like to go check out different neighborhoods and take advantage of public transportation to branch out and see new places.

Hayden VanVleet
The school has a lot of great events. It is easy to fill your time if you talk advantage of them.

Photo courtesy of Abbey

Abbey Poole
I like spending time with my host family. They have two kids, so we hang out and play card games.

Ryan Van Witzenburg
I have Dutch heritage, so the ability to return to Amsterdam and see the place my family originated from was a great experience. It was a chance to trace back the family roots.

Ryan

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