.jpg) |
| The Lake/Beach |
As this week approached we were very excited at the fact
that our friends from home were coming to visit us here and we knew for sure
that this week would be fun for everyone! I firstly though finished placement
this week and it was quite sad to think that this was one of the first things
to finish for us over here. The children gave us some presents and are making
us some summer cards and are sending them to my home in Northern Ireland… This
really made happy! The rest of the week was mostly just sunbathing as the
weather has been brilliant this past week, with the sunglasses and shorts on we
decided to head to the lake/man made beach. The beach was filled too with Dutch
people and it showed that the Dutch are similar to us that we think, as back at
home if there was one glimpse of sun everyone has their shorts on and head to
the beach too.
Friday then came and it really was just like having a piece
of home with us here in Nijmegen, as Rukaya and Shonagh came and reminded us so
much of being at home and University. We talked so much about things and people
at home and about the different things we miss here like foods, music, shops
etc. It showed me how long we have been away for and how everything here in
Nijmegen really seems so natural now but yet we still have our own culture that
we miss.
“A nation's culture
resides in the hearts and in the soul of its people.” Gandhi
 |
| Us meeting Barrack Obama! |
We decided to show our friends Dutch culture by bringing
them to the Dutch capital Amsterdam. Here we did a lot; Madame Tussauds, The
Ice bar, The Heineken Experience, Flower Market and Anne Frank’s house. All of
these different activities let us still bond more with our friends and reminisce
about past events that we had at home and of course tell them about our
experiences here in Holland as well as introduce our old friends to our new
Erasmus friends. Through the memories and talking I found myself saying words
that I would normally use at home, for example “Aye” or “C’mon” etc. It really
reminded me of home and the way everyone understood your accent, common words
etc. Again it showed me how I have changed; slowed my speech, my stuttering
when I get excited is practically not there and I can deal with anger a lot
better.
“To improve is to
change; to be perfect is to change often.” Churchill
 |
| The Rainforest |
On Sunday we went to The Zoo and without a doubt it was the
best Zoo I have ever been to. It had different areas for example, the
rainforest, the dessert, the ocean etc. In each area the landscape and
surroundings were all made like that area so the dessert was covered with cacti,
the rainforest filled with trees, vines and even rivers and waterfalls! Really
the zoo was brilliant and I will never forget it!
We finished off with a relaxing day at the beach and it was
just perfect, sitting talking and having nothing to do but soak up the sun. This
week really has just reminded me of Northern Ireland and about my culture but
in a good way. I am not missing home or home sick but just happy to be able to
establish what my culture is and how I have changed as a person.
 |
| Lazy day at the beach! |
References
Churchill, W. Brainy Quotes. Available from: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/topics/topic_change.html#vg0MhgkotzpgOEaY.99.
Last Accessed: 11/06/13
Gandi, M. Brainy Quotes. Available from: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/culture.html#RQW8wPpORvpYWb8W.99.
Last Accessed: 11/06/13
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