Spring 2023 #6

April 24, 2023

by MUDEC Student Interns Grace Gannon, SJ Weidner, Nicholas Sullivan, and Megan Harrison

Hello, everyone! We can't believe we are entering the final weeks of the spring semester. There are so many trips, memories and stories to choose from when describing what a semester abroad is like—it can seem almost impossible!

We wanted to give you a glimpse into what other students have to say about their journeys as the semester abroad comes to an end. So, as a group, we each interviewed one MUDEC student with questions about their travels, experiences, and any advice they wished to share about traveling and living in Europe.

Interviewed by Grace Gannon

Where's the best place you visited and why?
Switzerland as a whole, but specifically Interlaken. There was so much natural beauty and the mountains were breathtaking! I went with a great group of friends and crossed big things off my bucket list while there.

What has been your favorite class and why?
LUX 201 - Self Determination in Europe. The class is made up of such a fun group and the study tour in Slovenia was so engaging.

What is one thing you wish you packed and you didn’t?
I wish I brought a normal backpack and not a tote bag. Also a jean jacket.

Where is your favorite place to grab coffee before class?
My host family's house; their coffee machine is awesome.

What’s the best part about living with a host family?
The best part about living with a host family is our weekly family dinners, which are always homemade and delicious. And their dogs. It’s nice to come back to a home after class or a long weekend of traveling.

Interviewed by SJ Weidner

What is your favorite restaurant in Lux?
Pablito’s in Lux City!

What’s been your longest travel day and would you do it again?
My longest travel day was my 13 hour train ride from Geneva, Switzerland back to Lux. I would do it again. It was not that bad, and almost kind of relaxing to have some down time.

What is something that you’ll miss the most about study abroad?
Traveling every weekend with my closest friends and experiencing moments and places like no other.

Where is the place that you would most like to move to abroad?
Realistically, London because there is no language barrier, and I really liked the city. But I would also love to live the rest of my life in Dublin.

What was your favorite activity or excursion?
My favorite activity was watching the sunset at Poseidon’s Temple in Athens, Greece during my study tour. It was such a pretty view and one of the coolest sunsets I have ever seen. It was very peaceful, a great time to reflect, and I was surrounded by great company.

Interviewed by Nicholas Sullivan

Favorite traditional Lux food?
I really like the frites that I have gotten in Luxembourg. There's something about the density, thickness, and flavor that is unlike anything I've had before.

What’s one thing you wouldn’t be able to live without while being abroad? 
I wouldn't be able to live without my umbrella; everywhere I go, I always make sure to bring my umbrella with me. It has become an everyday necessity, making me feel like myself in a culture of uncertainty.

What is the difference in European culture that surprised you the most?
Eye contact is a lot more common here than I am used to in the U.S. 

Which independent activity while traveling that you participated in was your favorite?
My favorite activity of this semester was being in Dublin, Ireland for St. Patty's day and watching the parade. It was a special experience to see everyone celebrating the holiday and having a great time.

What will you miss most about Luxembourg?
I'm gonna miss the beauty that you see everywhere. When you are constantly surrounded by beauty, you take it for granted. But at the same time, you subconsciously absorb it. I'm gonna really miss walking around in the parks and fields.

Interviewed by Megan Harrison

How have you seen yourself grow the most?
Two of the most obvious ways I’ve grown are becoming a better traveler and improving my French skills. I think those are too easy, so the most exciting way I’ve seen myself grow would have to be managing my time. This semester has been a great experience, and I’ve been able to have lots of fun on my travels while keeping up with everything else!

What song(s) have been on repeat for you this semester?
Some of my favorites have been Basic by Declan McKenna, Solo by Miloe, Je Danse le Mia by Bengale (my favorite songs in French), Ruby by Kaiser Chiefs, Name Something Better by Ray Bull and Never Change by COIN!

What is one cultural difference that you’ve really enjoyed participating in? 
A cultural difference I’ve really enjoyed here is getting to exercise my French. I’ve been learning French for over five years now, and I don’t get to speak it very much back home. However, everyone in Luxembourg speaks French, so it’s been great to improve and practice the language. Some of my favorite moments throughout the semester have been little conversations in French I’ve had with strangers at the bus stop or the grocery store.

What is one unexpected travel destination that ended up being one of your favorites?
I went on the Champagne country discovery tour to Reims and Nancy, France, a few weeks ago. I didn’t have any friends going, but I still decided to go, and I ended up loving it! I made friends and really enjoyed wandering around the cities with people I hadn’t talked to before this trip.

What is your favorite way to reflect on your travels?
Journaling! I’ve really enjoyed finding little things to decorate my journal with during my travels. I make sure to write down everything that was important to me that day, along with little things that made me happy. I know that when I look back on the semester, I’m going to want to know every little thing that happened, and it’s cool to already see my growth and visual reminders of my travels!

We hope that you enjoyed getting to know some other members of the MUDEC student community. We also hope that you’ve enjoyed the other newsletters from this semester—the four of us have enjoyed providing you with an inside look at student life abroad. This semester has been such an incredible experience, and we’re sad to see it come to an end. 

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