This week was the last week for a few of our Erasmus friends who had opted for the three month Erasmus term. To celebrate the occasion we went for dinner in a local Italian restaurant. I found it surreal that their time in the Netherlands was over and it brought to light how little time I have left until I finish. I can’t believe it’s week 14 and I have only 6 more weeks to go- it’ scary. I know I will miss Nijmegen and all the friends I have made here. I appreciate the fantastic time I have had and the experiences and memories I will carry with me forever. This experience has shaped the way I see things and see other people and other cultures. It has defiantly broadened my horizons and made me aware that there is far more in the world other than Northern Ireland. It has been a great experience living in another country. Yet I know down in my heart that Northern Ireland will always be my home. I think I have surprised myself with how easily I have adapted to living in another place. I thought that I would be homesick, but I was surprised that I haven’t felt homesick at all. I think this has been down to the support of having Rachel and Daniel here with me and making lots of great friends out here. I am determined to make the most of my remaining time in Nijmegen.
Outside at the train station of Gouda
On Saturday we decided to visit a few towns in the Netherlands along with a few other Erasmus friends. We visited the town of Gouda and Rotterdam. Gouda is a city in the western Netherlands, it a quaint, typically Dutch village. Gouda is world famous for its Gouda cheese and its 15th Century Town Hall. Gouda has a regular cheese market which is held in the centre of the city. We stopped off in Gouda to have a spot of lunch and visit the famous Gouda market.
Harbour area of Rotterdam
Rotterdam is the second-largest city in the Netherlands and has the largest port in Europe. Rotterdam is very different to the other cities in the Netherlands as it is bursting with high-rise buildings and is often described as a concrete jungle. Rotterdam is a major international commercial centre and has always been one of the main centres of the shipping industry in the Netherlands. Its strategic location allows for a vast distribution system extending throughout Europe and this is the reason that Rotterdam is often called the "Gateway to Europe". Rotterdam is perhaps the best place to shop in the Netherlands. Therefore, we took full advantage of this and spent the afternoon shopping. Later we went for dinner in a lovely Chinese restaurant before we got on the two hour long train back home to Nijmegen.
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