The End Has Come

When I was 15 years old I had the opportunity to travel to Europe, and I had no idea how that would transform the next 4 years of my life. Ever since that trip I have had this deep desire to see and do as much as I possibly can while I am young. I have traveled somewhere every summer since then, and I even have a goal to set foot on all 7 continents during my lifetime. A girl can dream. When I found out that MNU had a study abroad program located in Europe I was sold. I wanted to make sure that I would be able to spend a semester abroad living in the continent that I had so quickly fallen in love with the first time I had stepped foot on it. Problems arose because well let's face it in life they always do. I was feeling discouraged, but also determined. I prayed a lot about this semester because I wanted to make sure that this was something God was in support of. And even though it took a lot of effort and work and patience and let's not forget trust, I found myself boarding a plane in September heading across the big blue to the beautiful country of Switzerland, where I have spent the last 3 months of my life. But now my time is up, and it's time for me to head back home.

This semester I have been to 7 countries, 15 cities, and I have plenty of pictures to show for it.

As I think back on these past few months I am blown away by how quickly it flew by. It astounds me that it is already December. I remember thinking about this semester and getting excited about it. And now as I sit here writing this, I am to board a plane tomorrow morning to head back to the states. I can remember the first day that I arrived in Busingen like it was yesterday. I remember looking at this campus and being so confused because it was so different than any other campus I had been on before, but over time, and now it feels like a home away from home, and I know that I will miss this quaint and peaceful town. I have been pushed and tested in more ways than one, and I believe that God used this semester to help continue to shape me in the way that He wanted. I have made so many memories, and with as small of a group as we have I have made lots of new friends as well as growing friendships with people I formerly knew. I went to places that I have only learned about in classes, but here I was able to see and experience the history that I only knew from sitting in a classroom. On top of the school trips to Munich, Paris, Taizé, and Frankfurt, Cherith, Hayley, Erin, and I took two trips of our own to Salzburg, Austria and Rome, Italy. I was in a city that the disciples had once been in centuries before me. I walked the streets Caesar did, and I skipped down the lane Maria von Trapp (Julie Andrews) did in Sound of Music. I stood and looked out across an empty lot that once held hundreds of barracks for concentration camp prisoners, and I felt the sadness and despair that once filled that area. I was even able to see some family that I had not seen in some time. I learned a new way to spread Christ's love to others, and I even got to see it in action. I met so many amazing people from all over Europe, and I experienced love and patience from others that can only come from God. 

This semester has been a bundle of ups and downs, but I would not trade it for anything in the world. I would not take back a single late night girls talk or any trip that may have made me pressed for time on homework. Every minute spent here in this country, on this continent was worth it. I have learned so many things about myself, and I have been pushed out of my comfort zone time after time. I have gained a greater appreciation for things stateside, especially family, and I even experienced a good bit of homesickness to my surprise. This experience is something that I would definitely recommend to anyone who enjoys traveling or who wants to have a trial run of living overseas. I feel beyond blessed to have been chosen for this pilot semester of MNU Europe. It has exceeded my expectations, and I cannot wait to get home and share all my stories and pictures with everyone. My bags are packed and I am ready to go!

Thanks for everything Europe! Til Next Time :)