Like many others, I was also in great dilemma on the decision of going to student exchange to Europe or not. The initial trade off was all the positions of responsibility and the numerous competitions which happen in this part of the academic year. I somehow, managed to take a decision and chose Belgium as my destination for these 3 months in March 2009.
In the previous 2-3 months, I developed quite a lot of anxiety over my decision over exchange and have pondered over the thought of even skipping it. I could not reach to the conclusion if the reasons were significant enough to leave Eurotrip opportunity. Today, after spending 2 weeks in Belgium and packing for Switzerland tomorrow, I came to some other conclusion related to it. The previous reasons were very important but the exchange experience is very very nourishing.
I have heard people saying that Euro trip could be made in 20-25 days with less money expensed. The problem is that till you do not stay at one place for few days, you neither know about the culture, the people of the place , nor do you enjoy it to the fullest. While living in a student hostel with students of different nationalities and color, I am learning a new way of living your life. In India, we believe that Europeans are rude and do not care much amongst themselves. Atleast till now, my experience is totally opposite. The people here have helped us much more than than what we guys help steppers in IIM Calcutta. (except few nice girls :P)
The culture of giving respect to pedestrians and saying hello to everyone on the road is just too different from India. The differences between both the cultures make my stay here worth the money spent and the reasons which I overlooked. :)
Cheers!
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Euro trip-1
I am on a student exchange visit from IIM Calcutta, India to Katholieke University Leuven (KUL) in Belgium for a period of 90 days. Why I chose this university? The reason was that few of my good friends were going to the nearest university to KUL, so I chose it.
After spending first week relaxing in my room at 11th floor and enjoying the Belgian beer at room only, we finally decided to clip off our laziness and to start our Eurotrip.
Last weekend ie: 22-26 September 2009, we went to Germany to visit the very famous Oktoberfest. The trip, indeed started with lots of excitement with we missing our train on the very first day. And the reason was not our laziness as in most of the times but it was the rare train delay in Europe. So, we came back to Brussels for night stay and shifted our all plans for the next day. The night was the traditional 'bakar' night with lots of beers and plans overflowing. The next day, all 8 of us started for Frankfurt. The time filler in the train was our beloved '29'- the card game. We reached Frankfurt at 4 in the evening, had some burgers at Burger King and rushed to the big Auto show which closes at 7 in the evening. We were dual minded over paying 7.5 euros for just 2 hours of glamorous models (included car models too :P)
The Auto show was indeed phenomenal. It was vast and watching Merc, Audi, BMW, Ferrari, Maybach, Lamborghini and others was worth spending our time. The big point of the auto show was the girl dancing around the pole in the Harley Davidson section.
At midnight, we had our trains scheduled to Munich for Oktoberfest. The station was pretty big and we spent our time at station and nearby roads roaming around. We reached Munich at 6 in the morning and it was dead cold at that time. We all shivered till 9 when the Oktoberfest started. We took our seats in the tent and ordered big one liter beer mugs with some snacks. In a few hour time, the environment was contagious with everyone standing over their seats singing and dancing. It was great fun and the whole tiredness went away with the yummy beer. We even bought Oktoberfest beer hats as souvenir to our memories.
We then wandered around the old city in the evening capturing beautiful churches, buildings and hustlers. The German people were looking at us in our hats with joy and surprise. One lady even asks us to take a snap with her :P. The train back to Brussels was at 3 in the morning, so we slept at the station with our luggage. We returned back to Leuven at around 11 in the morning on Tuesday, took bath and slept in peace.
This weekend (means from Friday 02 October 2009 morning), we are checking out the trains and other places of interest. Once I am back, will update you.
Cheers!!
Bon Voyage!
After spending first week relaxing in my room at 11th floor and enjoying the Belgian beer at room only, we finally decided to clip off our laziness and to start our Eurotrip.
Last weekend ie: 22-26 September 2009, we went to Germany to visit the very famous Oktoberfest. The trip, indeed started with lots of excitement with we missing our train on the very first day. And the reason was not our laziness as in most of the times but it was the rare train delay in Europe. So, we came back to Brussels for night stay and shifted our all plans for the next day. The night was the traditional 'bakar' night with lots of beers and plans overflowing. The next day, all 8 of us started for Frankfurt. The time filler in the train was our beloved '29'- the card game. We reached Frankfurt at 4 in the evening, had some burgers at Burger King and rushed to the big Auto show which closes at 7 in the evening. We were dual minded over paying 7.5 euros for just 2 hours of glamorous models (included car models too :P)
The Auto show was indeed phenomenal. It was vast and watching Merc, Audi, BMW, Ferrari, Maybach, Lamborghini and others was worth spending our time. The big point of the auto show was the girl dancing around the pole in the Harley Davidson section.
At midnight, we had our trains scheduled to Munich for Oktoberfest. The station was pretty big and we spent our time at station and nearby roads roaming around. We reached Munich at 6 in the morning and it was dead cold at that time. We all shivered till 9 when the Oktoberfest started. We took our seats in the tent and ordered big one liter beer mugs with some snacks. In a few hour time, the environment was contagious with everyone standing over their seats singing and dancing. It was great fun and the whole tiredness went away with the yummy beer. We even bought Oktoberfest beer hats as souvenir to our memories.
We then wandered around the old city in the evening capturing beautiful churches, buildings and hustlers. The German people were looking at us in our hats with joy and surprise. One lady even asks us to take a snap with her :P. The train back to Brussels was at 3 in the morning, so we slept at the station with our luggage. We returned back to Leuven at around 11 in the morning on Tuesday, took bath and slept in peace.
This weekend (means from Friday 02 October 2009 morning), we are checking out the trains and other places of interest. Once I am back, will update you.
Cheers!!
Bon Voyage!
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