As my year abroad draws to
a close, reflection is the order of the day. As I scroll back and proof read my
previous posts, it becomes apparent to me just how much I’ve learnt and just
how much I’ve done. This year for me was all about experiences – whether that
be in the lecture hall, on a field trip, or through travel.
In terms of my academic experiences, I can say with
confidence that they have been enriched throughout my time in Utrecht. The geosciences
department has offered a range of subjects – I’ve explored areas of human
geography more deeply as well as developing my physical geography knowledge in
terms of breadth and scope. However, the most important lesson I’ve learnt
whilst studying abroad, it that it is the composite package of learning, living
and exploring in another country that rounds you as a person and leaves you
with a plethora of new experiences that are specific to this one year away from
home and away from London. I’ve visited Gouda, Amsterdam, Maastricht, Amerongse
Berg and walked virtually every street in Utrecht, you could say I’ve conducted
my own small-scale Netherlands geographic exploration. I’ve seen first-hand how
the Dutch stop themselves from flooding and encourage their population to lead
a green and healthy lifestyle – I’ve gotten to understand a whole new
population that are brusque but kind and don’t understand British (over-)politeness.
It’s these experiences that I’ve written about and that I can now read back on
that have made this year away truly successful. I’ve experienced culture,
experienced place, space and time, experienced human geography – physical
geography and geography field trips, I’ve experienced travel by walking, by
double-decker trains, by buses, boats and by bikes, experienced built up
science-parks and flat, flat fields and agricultural lands. It’s almost
impossible to list all of the different experiences I’ve had
during my time abroad, but 8 months in and about to leave, I can confirm I don’t
want it to be over yet.
