Center for International Studies | Archives | 2019

How to See a City in a Day (and on a Budget)

Date October 29, 2019

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Sophie Torgerson

One of the things that has always been on my bucket list has been to travel to Europe. I was ecstatic when I made the decision to study abroad in Denmark in June of 2019. The majority of the trip would be spent in Aalborg, which is a smaller-sized city in the northern region of Denmark. The last couple days would be spent in Copenhagen, the capital and largest city of Denmark. The program was only three weeks, and although I was told we would have free time most evenings and weekends, I wasn’t expecting to have enough time to travel outside the country, although that was something I was interested in. However, in our second week abroad, a few of my classmates were researching things to do for the weekend and came across a $39 round-trip ticket to London for the following Saturday. I decided that I couldn’t let this incredible opportunity pass, as I wasn’t sure when the next time I would be in Europe would be, so a couple hours later, four of my classmates and I booked our flight.

All photos courtesy of Sophie Torgerson

The World is Your Oyster

Date October 14, 2019

Posted by Stephanie Trottier

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Ashlee Gibson

If I am being honest, I never thought that a person like me would end up having this incredible opportunity. Not only have I been able to travel to a whole new part of the world I have been fortunate enough to live for 3 months in a castle! I grew up in a single parent household living below the poverty line, yet here I am. I don’t want to take a single day in Europe for granted because this is an opportunity of a lifetime and I want to make the best of it. The world is your oyster after all.

Images in this post are courtesy of Ashlee Gibson

The few days of packing before leaving for Alnwick were exciting yet difficult if I am being honest. I remember stressing over what to bring because I wanted to bring everything yet nothing at the same time. I was excited but it just didn’t feel real to me yet. I was excited to start my semester abroad knowing I will be with other students who are in the same boat as me and that I will have professors and faculty from Minnesota going on this journey with me, but also to help me along the way. I am going for elementary education and I have completed my generals and so none of the classes that were offered at Alnwick were required or could apply to my major. I am however learning a lot from my British professors and Saint Cloud State professor about the UK and its history but also its current events such as BREXIT, the shutdown of the Thomas Cook Firm, the plans of renewable energy at Alnwick, and the future plans of Newcastle. I came to Alnwick for the experience and to develop more of a global perspective and the experience has been phenomenal so far!