As I sit in my desk at work my mind is filled with thoughts and anticipation about tomorrows early morning departure to my fall break adventure. Though I should probably start referring to it as autumn break after a colleague jokingly scolded me for using “Americanisms” but that’s a tale for a different day. We all reach that point in the semester right after midterms (shocker!) where we need a break, and being abroad is no different. Many will disagree and say “you’re whole semester is a vacation,” and to them I say “you’re right,” but it is one exhausting vacation. I dare say that in some aspects I’m busier in London than I am at Rollins. Here, I work 20 hours a week in addition to taking three classes, and though the workload is lighter, we still have homework, projects, tests, and papers. Another aspect that makes studying abroad a tiring experience is the fact that there is so much to do and see, and I want to do and see it all. While at Rollins most of my weekends consist of lounging by the pool and dining on Park Avenue but my weekends in London are filled with walking around the city from morning till night. Getting into bed after a long day of doing amazing things is one of the best feelings, and one I have very often here.
Tomorrow, four friends and me are embarking on a journey to Prague, Berlin, Amsterdam, Brussels, and Paris. I know what you might be thinking “5 cities in 10 days…that doesn’t sound relaxing at all” and it probably won’t be. Our days are going to be filled with activities, walking tours, and long bus rides, but that is part of the experience of travelling as a student. When I say I need a break I don’t mean it in the sleeping-and-Netflix-all-day sort of way, I mean it in the breaking away from the class-work routine I’ve been under for over a month.
Fall break is the only long vacation we have while abroad, which is why I wanted to explore as many countries as possible, since I have never visited Europe before and don’t know when I’ll be back. As the end of what has felt like the longest week of my life, fall break: I’m ready for you!
