Tag: the chronicle

Every day I’ve been abroad has been a completely new experience. Whether it’s the way someone serves my tea or the dozens of languages I hear spoken on the tram, there’s always a new lesson to be learned from every moment. My recent trip to Budapest, Hungary, provided me with eye-opening experiences that taught me to live in the moment and never take anything for granted.

My friends and I arrived in Budapest at roughly 6 on a Friday morning. Bleary-eyed and sluggish from our overnight bus ride, our first excursion was to the Gellert Thermal Bath. Built between 1912 and 1918, the thermal baths are a part of the famous Hotel Gellert and are intricately designed to uphold an Art Nouveau style. Tall pillars embellished with floral carvings encircle the main indoor pool with iconic, puritanical statues standing at either end.

We spent most of our time in the outdoor pool, enjoying the hot, steamy mineral water while it lightly began to snow. Before leaving we hung out in the steam room for a bit, taking in all the relaxing and purifying qualities of the balmy atmosphere before departing. 

Read the full column on SouthCoastToday.com, published on March 13, 2018.

One of my favorite parts of studying in Prague is the city’s extremely convenient location right in the heart of central Europe. Although Prague itself is a city full of adventure and history, I have also been taking advantage of how close it is to other beautiful countries. Recently I set out to explore the quaint, quiet town of Salzburg, Austria, where I witnessed some of the most incredible sights I have ever seen.

Salzburg, made famous by “The Sound of Music” (1965), sits at the foothills of the breathtaking Northern Salzburg Alps. A “love-locked” pedestrian bridge spreads over the Salzach river, which divides the town. Colorful buildings, bike paths and chestnut trees flank either side. Hohensalzburg Castle sits perched upon the Festunsberg hill, casting its grand shadow over the entire town, making a lasting impression on anyone who visits.

We checked into our hostel, Yoho!, and grabbed some burgers at BurgerMeister, a restaurant in the city’s center. After our lunch we crossed the river and explored the other side of town. We passed by Mozart’s home and museum, and headed toward the Salzburg Museum. The museum had a very long elevator that went all the way to the top of Festunsberg hill, where we enjoyed a gorgeous view overlooking all of Salzburg.

We continued to climb the Festunsberg hill, admiring the glistening white snow on the trees and houses we passed by. Eventually we climbed up far enough and got to explore Hohensalzburg Castle. The sky had reached dusk by the time we reached the top of the castle. We watched the city lights flicker on in the darkness as the church bells echoed in the distance. We spent a significant time looking out over the city as nighttime approached and the sky darkened.

Read the full column on SouthCoastToday.com, published on March 7, 2018, as part of travel column ‘Amy Abroad’ written during a study abroad term in Prague, Czechia.

Traveling is incredibly important because it not only opens doors to new cultures and unexplored places but also to a further understanding of yourself.

I chose to go to Prague to study abroad this semester because I thought that it was off the beaten path when considering most major places in Europe. All those that I have talked to about the Czech Republic have had nothing but good things to say. I figured that Prague would be the perfect place to find myself: a humble city of uninterrupted life and knowledge desperate to be discovered.

So far, Europe, particularly Prague, has far exceeded my expectations.

Just one month ago I began a journey not only to see more of the world, but also to find myself.

As my plane began its descent into the city of Prague, my home for the next four months, the vast stretch of the city made a profound impression.

Composed of red rooftops, Gothic churches and cobblestone streets, everything about the city invited exploration. After settling into my apartment, just a 10-minute metro ride from the heart of the city, I was eager for adventure.

Read the full column on SouthCoastToday.com, published on February 27, 2018, as part of travel column ‘Amy Abroad’ written during a study abroad term in Prague, Czechia.