domonatingeurope-blog

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Flash back to the final weeks of the castle. From the last American Nights, to last minute shooting of an ENTIRE music video during finals week, and who could forget the end of the semester parties where your professor celebrates with bottles of wine for the class. I swear only in Europe, let me rephrase that..only in Kasteel Well does that all happen. Four days since I have been home in American and I miss this place already. Some refer to this stage as "Post Castle Depression" or "Reverse Culture Shock" and as much as those terms may be right, I feel that many of our feelings are a bit less drastic. I am SO happy to be back in American with my family, friends, and boyfriend. Especially because it has been such an easy transition back in, feeling like nothing has change a bit. However I still feel like I am still trying to come to terms with what I did in these past three months. I traveled to 12 different cities, explored 10 countries, and discovered much more about my self and an entire continent all in a matter of ninety days. It's mind blowing to think about and at times when I try to explain how my trip was I find myself at a loss for words. Many of my Aunts and Uncles continuously say "how lucky" I am to have been able to travel at such a young age. Man, do I know it. Studying abroad truly has been a blessing that I would not trade for anything and I could not be more grateful for the opportunity to do so. I am going to conclude my final blog post on DOMOnating Europe with a small piece of advice. If you ever have the opportunity to travel whether that be through a study abroad program, or even if it just for a summer..DO IT. Pick up a backpack and just GO. You will be surprised with how much you learn about yourself and of the world in that small amount of time. The world is a large and exciting place, so go out and explore it. :) My three month adventure through Europe is finally coming to an end ( unfortunately). Thank you to everyone who actually took the time to read this, honestly I truly appreciate it. I hope you got a little something out of this and will one day travel yourselves. Follow me on my other tumblr page @ d0mo.tumblr.com.

Until next time (I travel Europe)- Domonating Europe.

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Last day festivities..

include:

- Tree planting

-Farewell Dinner at Stephan's Bed & Breakfast

- Farewell performances/speeches in the barn

-& Lots of crying & wine. It'll happen.

It has been such a beautiful last day here in Well. We all spent the majority of the afternoon frolicking around the grounds, soaking in our last minutes of the Castle. I still can't believe our time here is finally coming to an end. It is surreal to say the least. Now I honestly understand what people mean when they describe the three months in Welll to a dream. And that leaving here tomorrow is just like me finally waking up and going back to reality.Drastic, I know, but completely true. What saddens me the most is thinking that I probably will never come back to Well in my lifetime, nor will I ever see these amazing teachers/staff members again. However, as sad as that makes me I know that I got the most of this experience and couldn't have asked for a better group of people to come with but it's now our time to go back to America. Kasteel Well Spring 2011, a time and place I will truly never forget.

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Suitcase is out..

packing begins today. It can be a bit overwhelming to think about packing 3 month's worth of clothes and  souvenirs back into my two suitcases. Little by Little..it'll happen. In between studying for my two finals, writing a final paper, and everything else that is going on in Kasteel Well right now..it'll happen. America in 3 days..I can't believe it.

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beyondthemoat:

Here’s episode 4!

Come with our correspondent Dominique as she goes to Barcelona! Also, join Ethan as he checks out the a magical week here at Kasteel Well, Harry Potter Week!

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youvegotbeauty:

“I’m On a Moat” — coming soon.

"I'M ON A MOAT, FREAK!" SO much love in Kasteel Well Spring 2011.

Just another Friday morning.

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ONE WEEK.

7days..The countdown back to America is in full force. I just finished my last official day of classes here and it is such a relief but so weird to think that it's actually going to be over soon. Now time to sit back, do some studying, write one LAST paper, and enjoy the rest of my time here at Kasteel Well. There isn't much time left..so we're going to make this count :)

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Berlin, Germany.

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 Berlin, Germany

East Side Gallery. Some of the sickest graffiti I have ever seen. So expect more coming from that soon. This is my current background. Still can't get over how amazing it was.

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Zadar, Croatia

Many people will tend to ask..why Croatia? Why Zadar what is there even to do there? And I won't lie I wasn't sure what there was to do before visiting but I knew that this exotic destination was one that I wanted to see and that past Kasteel students said I HAD to see. The trip started off small. The plan was for Darian, Kristen, and I to go in the beginning of April where we would bask in the sun by the end of our travels. It worked out and and before we knew it more and more students jumped on the trip (the magic of Kasteel Well). Before we knew it about 30 students were going which is where the invasion of Kasteel Well Spring 2011 takes over Zadar aka Prom 2011 (as I like to call it) began. When I look back on this trip and think about what the highlights of it were, aside from the delicious (and can't forget cheap) cuisine of fresh seafood and sparkling champagne and being able to  tan out in the 70 degree weather off the coast of the Adriatic Sea. I will look fondly on the time I was able to spend a weekend in an apartment with my closest friends here at Kasteel Well. It makes me smile just to think about the crazy Saturday night where all 30 of us spent partying in a beautiful apartment right right on the water (and a palm tree out front, can't forget the palm tree) for CJ's birthday. It was wild time and I couldn't have asked for a better group of people to be in Croatia with. These are the memories that Kasteel Welll is supposed to provide us with, and I truly could not feel more thankful and blessed for that. So next time somebody asks me why Croatia, I will tell them truthfully because it stranded me in an island with some of the greatest people I have ever met. That's why.

Until Next Time. - Domonating Europe.

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beyondthemoat:

Hey fans, Episode 3 is here! Come with us on our second academic excursion, Prague, the Capital of the Czech Republic. Also, meet Karen Lindsey a professor here at the Kasteel. Let’s go Beyond The Moat!

Czech IT OUT! Featuring our very own Joel Ahumada as the correspondent!

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I'm off to my final travel weekend in Berlin, Germany. It is my friend Maggie's Birthday this weekend as well so we are going out with a bang in Berlin. This weekend has been hectic with The Kasteel Well's 25th year anniversary but once I get back I am updating you all on my travels to Croatia and Germany. However until next time. -Domonating Europe.

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Next stop: Zadar, Croatia.

I'm off to this coastal city off the Adriatic Sea this weekend! It may not be the most popular destination in Croatia but I could not be more excited. To spend the weekend in sunny 70 degree weather with an apartment full of people that I love so dearly. It's going to the best. In addition to that apartment there are tons of other people going to Zadar  from the castle so it's pretty much going to be a #KasteelWellSpring2011 invasion up in Croatia.  Plus, this is the final city I will be covering for Beyond The Moat which I am looking forward to! YAY! More updates on my travels soon.

Until Next Time. -Domonating Europe.

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beyondthemoat:

Episode Two is HERE! Follow the Beyond The Moat crew to explore the fashion capital of the world and hear some crazy culture shock stories from students!

DO IT DO IT! CHECK IT OUT :)

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beyondthemoat:

Correspondent Darian Symone H. is a sophomore majoring in Broadcast Journalism. A multidimensional leader of the Emerson Community, you might as well call her a Renaissance child. A sister of Alpha Epsilon Phi, an assistant at the Student Life Office, and a star on EIV and the Emerson...

Check out the bio I wrote about my lovely roommate.

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beyondthemoat:

Dominique B. is a sophomore Broadcast journalism major with a minor in Marketing, whose passion for reporting has come with her across the pond! With a passion for traveling, fashion and comedy, don’t mistake Banas as the typical girl! Her motivation to bike around the Netherlands and eat...

haha written my my equally as talented roommate Darian Harvin.

[domonatingeurope-blog]

Paris, France.

This past weekend I visited the beautiful city of Paris. Let's just say that is proved to be just as magnificent as any book/movie/show may have ever portrayed this fine city. I had such a great time exploring this popular French destination. 

The highlights of my weekend:  

Crepes

These delectable desserts were present on practically every street corner in Paris. Straight off the pan and into your hand within minutes, I couldn't help to indulge in these easy and cheap treats. From nutella, to chocolate and banana stuffed ones, there was no going wrong with this French snack.  

Visits to the Eiffel Tower

I won't lie, If I did the most of anything on this trip to Paris it was probably visit the Eiffel Tower ( 3 times to be exact). However whether you plan to visit this wonder during the day or the evening, it will most definitely take your breathe away. I recommend spending an evening below the tower with a cheap bottle of red wine on hand as you await the hour mark in which the tower begins to sparkle. It's magical, to say the least. Being able to see the Eiffel Tower in person solidified the fact that I was actually in Europe..and that these past two months have, in fact, not been a dream. Yeah it definitely has that effect on people.

Versailles

For all the history buffs, Versailles is definitely a must see when in Paris. However I had other motives in going to the beautiful city. The weather on the Friday we chose to go could not have been anymore perfect. In the high 60's, we set out to explore with just a shirt on our backs. We successfully arrived and got away  as "EU Students" after we said that we were studying here for a year and not actually three months. Saving 20 euros is always good news to me. We toured the apartments with our free audio tour in ear. The entire estate was absolutely breathtaking. Furnished with only the finest furniture and walls decorated in the most ornate textures; it was hard to believe that only a family had lived in there at once. After we finished the tour, we grabbed some lunch from the cafe and sat out in the gardens. Although the flowers weren't completely in bloom, it was still lovely to sit out and soak up the warm sun. We toured the grounds a bit when we caught up with Eric who was also in Paris for the weekend. After some contemplation on renting either a golf cart or bike; we finally had to go with a bike since there was a 25 year old limit for the golf carts (lame!). One thing I would recommend to anyone visiting Versailles. Rend a bike and explore the gardens. It it is the best way to see them. Best 4.50 euros I ever spent and a new happy place to add to my list. Yes.

Flea Markets

If anyone knows anything about Paris street fashion then you probably know that flea markets are pretty abundant in this fair city. There are websites and long lists of various types located all over Paris. I thought realistically and chose two specific ones that I was personally interested in. One was more on the antique side (which is huge there) and the other was located in the Montmarte area and pretty well known for it's array of clothes. So Ali and I milked our three day metro card for what it was worth and hit them both up. Literally if you think you know what flea market are -you need to go to Paris. The first antique one we hit up was HUGE, I literally couldn't even fathom where they got all of the things they were selling. It went on forever, too. It was mind-blowing. Although filled with a lot of antique furniture and nick knacks; I surprisingly got most of my clothes purchases there. Good finds. Three shirts for 7 euros? Hell yeah!

The Montmarte market was a bit sketch and reminiscent of Downtown LA but had a lot of cheap things, that is for sure. We explored down one street that had more vintage shops, and stumbled upon the more bohemian side of Montmarte. Cool stuff, but a bit on the expensive side.

French cuisine

It wouldn't a visit to Paris, France if I didn't at least try some traditional French cuisine. Although my budget didn't really allow me to eat too fancy while in Paris I didn't treat myself to one nice dinner. On our last night we found a lovely and pretty well-priced restaurant right in the area of our hotel (St.Michel/Notre Dame).The special of the night was a three course meal for only 13 euros (What a steal!). The meal of choice started with a warm bowl of french onion soup and followed by my dish of choice: Beef Bourguignon. Cooked in a traditional French wine sauce, the dish was rather similar to that of beef stew. Served with carrots, and small buttery balls of potatoes, I was all over the meal and practically finished all that was on my plate. The meal ended with a serving of chocolate mousse. It was the perfect dinner for a girl's last night in Paris.

I only wish I could have spent more exploring this wonderful city. I could definitely see myself visiting again one day, I only hope that I can because it truly is a gem. Thank you for such a wonderful weekend Paris, Je T'Aime.

Until Next Time. -Domonating Europe.

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Well, Netherlands.

What has been my home for the past 2 months. Spring is finally here and we are all starting to enjoy this place in a different light. Sometimes it honestly doesn't feel like real life. That is the truth.

Until Next Time. -Domonating Europe.