Category: Life in Europe

Anticipating and Adjusting to Life in Metz

Written by Katherine Sanders

Two of my friends returned to Atlanta for the fall semester with stories from their time abroad. Both had gone to France for a summer semester, Zach in Metz and Lilly in Lyon. I loved hearing about their travels. From Charli XCX DJ sets to sunbathing in the south of France, the stories excited me. By the time I returned to Atlanta in August, my friends knew I was leaving for Metz that Spring. Some had advice for living in Europe while others had recommendations for travel. 

My friends Maddie and Baran both expressed interest in going to Georgia Tech-Europe in the spring of their sophomore year, so we all planned to go together. Baran was adamant we plan every weekend ahead of time. We created a Google Doc with a list of every weekend. Slowly, we assigned each weekend a travel destination. 

If someone asked where I would go in Europe, I pulled up our Google Doc on my phone and flipped it around. Initially, they would gawk, warning me that I would become exhausted. I understand the concern. However, I usually responded with “Probably, but we can figure that out when we get to that point.” 

These conversations came with advice I found entertaining and useful. 

“Germans think Americans are really funny, even if you aren’t trying to be.” 

“Sightseeing in Spain is beautiful until your phone gets stolen.” 

“Ask for a pitcher of water rather than a glass of water in France.” 

These conversations also brought some critiques from what weather would look like, or how long it would take to get to our travel destinations. At some point I wanted to ask, “why can’t you let me suffer on my own?” It was hard to keep all of the conflicting warnings straight, so I opted to make my own mistakes. I wanted most of my journey to come from my own accord, or at least from a place so deep down I can’t see who shaped it.

For so long, I avoided talking about studying abroad to stay present in my first semester, but when I landed in Montana, I couldn’t keep my mind off of France. As I made my lunch, I thought about the foods I would eat. As I went to the gym, I thought about how I would continue weight training. What skin care items would local stores provide? Could I find my favorite snacks? Despite my worries, I was interested in arriving so I could discover the answers to my questions. 

The first two weeks in Metz were exciting and exploratory. Students are given a studio apartment to live in with a personal bathroom and kitchenette*. The kitchenette provides a stove and microwave with an assortment of cooking pans and utensils. The interiors of the apartment buildings are completely monochrome: lime green, red, orange, and yellow. It’s eerily similar to Squid Game.

The GTE building is the size of a small high school, and the environment is similar to one. I usually see the same groups of people in my classes and in the cafeteria. Breakfast and coffee are provided in the lounge every morning. The lounge is where you can find students studying, playing pool, or practicing piano. Lunch is also provided by the school but is through the neighboring high school. Just like high school, you grab a tray and slide down, receiving a plate and side to go sit with the high schoolers in their own cafeteria. The process brings a special case of nostalgia. 

Although I am grateful for the opportunity to travel and live in the center of Europe, I can’t say I don’t miss home. Finding reasoning is useless when all the “bad” comes with infinite good, so I’ll say I’ve come down with a case of homesickness. I try to find hints of familiarity in Metz every day. Maybe the cold nips in the same way it did when I walked around campus late at night. I took a walk late last night around Lac Symphonie, and I can’t say it feels like North Avenue. Soon, this new norm will settle into place, and these cold foggy mornings will feel more friendly.

*Dorm situations vary between Fall/Spring and Summer semesters at GTE

A Homestay, but Not

Written by Guest Blogger Lila Noble

I think my best day abroad happened when I truly noticed my French improving. It all started when I volunteered to go with my speaking partner from my French conversation class to visit the home of a French family. I was both excited and nervous for this experience. I knew that I’d have to speak French the entire time, and because I was at a higher level than my partner, I felt responsible for carrying most of the conversation with the family. Adding to the pressure, the visit was scheduled to last from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m., and the thought of speaking French for five hours straight felt a little overwhelming. I was nervous but determined to give it my best shot.

About three hours before the event, I got a text from my partner. She had to cancel because she had a big exam the next day and needed to study. Suddenly, my nerves skyrocketed—now I was going to do this visit entirely on my own, without the support of a friend. My anxiety grew, but I reminded myself that this was an incredible opportunity to push myself.

I walked to the Georgia Tech building, where I was supposed to wait for the family to pick me up. It was drizzling as I made my way there, and while the light rain did little to calm my nerves, I tried to focus on the excitement of the experience. As I stood with a few other students, waiting for our host families, my mind kept racing with all the possible ways the night could go. Finally, my family arrived. It was a woman named Rebecca, along with her stepdaughter Sarah. They welcomed me with such warmth and enthusiasm that my nerves started to ease a little bit. Rebecca was chatting with some of the program administrators, and I struck up a conversation with Sarah. She was a senior in high school, and it turned out that she spoke a bit of English, which made me feel a little more at ease. Her specialty in school was English, so I knew that if I really got stuck, we could communicate in English if necessary. Once we got into the car, they immediately asked if I was okay with their dog. I enthusiastically said yes—I love dogs—and I was thrilled to see a small, adorable white poodle. Her name was Jazz, and she ended up sitting on my lap for most of the car ride. Having her there helped calm me down a lot, and it made the drive to their apartment much more comfortable. We chatted in French the whole way, and it felt surprisingly natural.

When we arrived at the apartment, I met the rest of the family. Rebecca’s son Ewen, who was eight, and Sarah’s older brother Thibaud, who was nineteen and studying English at university. We all introduced ourselves, and I could feel my confidence growing as the conversation flowed. I spent a little more time talking with Sarah in French, and then we all sat down for dinner. Dinner was lively and full of laughter. I was completely immersed in French conversation, and it felt like a breakthrough moment for me. Despite my initial nervousness, I found myself keeping up with the flow of the conversation and even contributing. After dinner, I continued chatting with Sarah and Thibaud, and we spoke entirely in French. We talked about their studies, my experiences in France, and even shared a few jokes. It was the first time I really felt like I could hold my own in a full-length French conversation.

Before I knew it, it was 11:30 p.m., and it was time for me to head back. As I said goodbye, they warmly insisted that I come back next week, which made me feel like I had truly made a connection with them. The whole experience was wonderful, not only because of the home-cooked meal and the warm, familial atmosphere, but also because it gave me a sense of fulfillment and accomplishment. It felt amazing to see my French improving in such a real and meaningful way, and it was incredibly rewarding to feel comfortable speaking the language for an entire evening.

Looking back, that night gave me so much more than just language practice. It gave me a sense of belonging, a feeling of being welcomed into a family, and the satisfaction of knowing that my hard work in learning French was paying off. I absolutely loved the experience and am already looking forward to returning to my makeshift “homestay” family for many more evenings to come.

An Auspicious Arrival: Week One In Europe

Written by Matteo Ruffo

The Arrival

Before heading back to school, I imagine everyone’s feelings are the same: new ambitions, a plethora of excitement, and plenty of anxiety. When you are about to embark on a study abroad, all of those emotions increase tenfold. There is fear, there is change, but above all, there is the grandeur of exploring new places, meeting new people, and experiencing different cultures — a sensation that cannot be done justice by description alone. You must experience it.

After my previous study abroad experience in Barcelona, my excitement drastically increased for this one, but tendrils of uncertainty remained. What if Metz underwhelmed? What if the classes were backbreaking, what if the people were unfriendly? As for the trips, how would I manage? My semester in Spain had spoiled me: despite being just outside of Barcelona, I was provided with quick and easy access to a world-class airport. From Metz, the commute to Paris’ or Luxembourg’s airports would be hefty, and trains would be the preferred mode of mid-distance transportation. How would I travel? Where would I go? How would I budget myself? Yet as I lifted off on my flight from New York to Frankfurt, these questions and doubts faded into obscurity. All of my worries seemed to be far away- I was headed on a new journey, and there was nothing to lose. Adventure awaits those bold enough to take a leap of faith; and any study abroad experience is a leap of faith. I was determined to make the most of what Metz had in store for me.

Any first day can be expected to have its issues. From canceled flights, to missing shuttles, to misplaced luggage, and finally to racing through Frankfurt’s airport, we certainly had ours. After landing, I managed to meet up with some Tech students at an elevator in the airport. Together, we slowly but surely found our way through the airport, made it to our shuttle, and embarked to the Lafayette dorms next to GT-Europe’s campus. I personally fell asleep immediately after entering my room; we were all jet-lagged, all exhausted. It had taken most students nearly an entire day to arrive at GT-Europe; for others, whose flights got canceled or delayed, it took upwards to 40 hours. My trip was fine, however; I had no issues with luggage, and my flight was quiet and uneventful, and I was thankful to be so lucky.

Campus Life & Metz Impressions

Campus itself is slightly outside of the city, but a quick bus ride, provided with our unlimited bus pass*, can get you into Metz quickly and comfortably. My first true experience with Metz was short, but interesting nevertheless. I went into the city with a few friends, and after meeting up with more students, we walked to the Cathedral of Metz, had kebab at one of the cities many kebab spots, and enjoyed the greenery and light that combined to give a breezy, sparkling atmosphere to the city at night.

The dorms themselves are small, but private. You will have no roommates at GT-Europe**, but you will be right next to tons of students who are just as anxious and willing to make new friends as you, so meeting people is easy. A big closet, plenty of shelf space, and plenty of cabinets line the apartment, and a twin bed with provided linens rests next to a window. The school provides you a Eurail pass*, free unlimited Metz bus pass*, and cafeteria pass*, as well as your European student ID: elsewise, it’s really up in the air as to what you get in your room. Maybe you’ll get some utensils, maybe some bowls, maybe some pots and pans. If you’re really lucky, you’ll get a fan. Nobody got a trashcan or trash bags this semester, so half of us went to Cora to purchase some, and the other half waited until the donated supplies exchange to obtain theirs. Overall, however, the most difficult day is the first day – the unpacking, the purchasing of groceries and supplies, the meeting new people and acclimating to your new surroundings. No difficult exam or nerve wracking presentation can ever live up to the pressure of the first day; but we survived, and set ourselves up for a wonderful semester to come.

Lafayette Dorm Room (left), GTE Building Lobby (right)

The campus and dorms are separated by a roundabout lined with trees and vegetation, and a nearby lake is surrounded by soccer fields, outdoor gyms, and student centers, as well as the actual GT-Europe campus itself. Classes are divided into color coordinated rooms on four levels of the GT-Europe building: a cubic, paned-glass building that resembles a Rubix cube at first glance. Most of the classes can seat upwards to 50 students if need be, but none of my classes have more than 15 students, making for a tight-knit classroom culture that allows us not only to get to know each other, but also for the professor to get to know us more than just on a superficial level. Laundry is quick and easy; bed sheets and linens can be exchanged for clean versions every week, and the washing machines are within the dorm buildings and very easy to access. Groceries of any sort can be found at the nearby grocery stores of Auchan or Cora, and an assortment of restaurants dot the area around campus: such as Mamma Mia Pizza, a pizza place that specializes in sprinkling olives on their pizzas, a Southern barbeque place that reminds me of a parody combination of Whataburger, Wingnuts, and J.R. Crickets from the outside, and of course, a McDonalds. Ultimately, I prefer to venture into the city if I am eating out, as there are so many food options to be discovered in just one walk through the city.

Orientation came and went without a hitch: classes started, and the jet lag which had plagued us replaced itself with a new familiarity to the environment we were in. I took the next few days to get to know everyone, clean my dorm, and of course, plan the first of my many trips: nearby Belgium and Luxembourg. And so, our GT-Europe trip begins: starting with the Green City of Metz.

Until then, this is Matteo Ruffo, signing off.

*Subject to change by semester. Please check GTE website for most up to date information.

**Subject to change by semester and student choice of dorms. 

No Shame in a Staycation! 

Written by Cate McCoy

Traveling this summer has been an incredible experience, and it’s been so fun to look back on all the new places I’ve visited. Since my travel group’s first weekend in Paris, we’ve cruised on the canals in Amsterdam, cliff-jumped in Cinque Terre, hiked in the Swiss Alps, visited the D-Day landing beaches in Normandy, and ate pig knuckle in Munich. What I didn’t realize is that I’d become super burnt-out from traveling, and despite trying to push through, my body reached its limit last weekend. 

I was looking forward to our trip to Lake Como, and I set my alarm for 5 AM the night before so I could catch the first train of the day. But when I finally woke up, it was bright outside and much later than 5 AM. My phone was spammed with missed calls and texts from my travel group trying to wake me up. I was able to catch an afternoon train, which—thanks to my bad luck—broke down on the way. After lots of timetable searching and calculating my odds of getting stranded in a station alone overnight, I accepted that I would not be going to Lake Como. I switched trains in Strasbourg and headed straight back to Metz in tears. 

That evening, I went grocery shopping, cleaned my room, and did laundry—all the things that I was putting off for when I got back from Italy. The next day, I slept in and took a late train to Luxembourg, where I spent the evening exploring the city. Before heading back to Metz, I grabbed some food from a kiosk and sat at a lookout while I ate. The next day, I trained to Nancy, where I visited the gold-embellished central square, sat in a café to do my fluid mechanics homework, and laid in the park and read. Then, once again, I headed back to Metz, refreshed from my restful weekend. 

Though I was initially upset about missing out on Lake Como, I ended the weekend feeling that maybe my bad luck was good luck after all. I had gotten to catch up on sleep and try out solo traveling, and I only spent about 30 Euros for the entire weekend! 

When studying abroad, it’s easy to get caught up in the grand plans of all the places you want to go and forget to make one plan that’s super important: a time to rest! While skipping a trip can be a hard decision to make, staying behind to catch up on sleep or schoolwork can make your future trips more enjoyable and less stressful. Rest doesn’t have to mean staying in bed all day, though there’s no shame in that. Instead, you can sleep in and spend the day exploring Metz or go on a day trip to another nearby city. GTE is in a convenient part of Europe and is close to lots of beautiful places that are only an hour train ride away. There’s so much nearby that often gets overlooked; go explore it, and you might find that a calm weekend is exactly what you need. 

Putting the Study in Study Abroad

Written by Cate McCoy

There’s a common stereotype that classes are easier abroad. Since my time here in Metz, I’ve learned that—in my case, at least—the opposite is true. I don’t think it’s necessarily the classes themselves, though the curriculum in my major-required courses has been tough. Rather, I think the most challenging part of classes abroad is managing your time. 

In Atlanta, I tend to use the weekends to catch up or get ahead on schoolwork. While spending my Sundays in the library isn’t overly relaxing, I end up having more free time during the week, which I use to read, climb, or sleep. But while abroad, the weekends are my only time to travel and thus provide little time for schoolwork. I’ve had to make big adjustments to my routine to allow enough time for my assignments, and even then, I’ve had a hard time keeping up with everything. While I’m still figuring out what does and doesn’t work for me, I’ve learned a few things that have helped me with studying while abroad. 

Just like in Atlanta, I’ve found that it’s super important to separate my study space from my living space. While I always try to convince myself that I can be productive in my room, that tends to rarely be true. Instead, I find that I’m most focused outside of my room, where I’m not tempted to lay in bed and read my book or take a nap. On campus, my favorite spot to do schoolwork is in the quiet study room on the second floor of the GTE building; I like the natural lighting and the fact that I won’t get hit with a ping-pong ball, which can sometimes be the case in the first-floor lounge. When I do choose to sit in the lounge, it’s in the mornings—not only is it a bit quieter then, but I can also enjoy the croissants and coffees that are provided! 

My other favorite place to study is a café called Fox in downtown Metz. It’s a favorite of GTE students, and you’ll often run into some peers there. The décor is super cute and cozy, and their drinks and baked goods are perfect study treats—my go-to is a golden chai latte. By turning my study session into a day-trip, I’m able to be more intentional with my time and can better focus. 

While the weekends usually provide little to no time for schoolwork, the train rides are an aspect of traveling that can be spent productively. It helps to consolidate my study materials—I simply pack my laptop, one notebook, and one folder with only the notes and papers I need for any current assignments. This makes it easy to work on the train without papers spilling everywhere while trying to find the right notebook. Another benefit of working while on the train is that the rest of my group is usually working too; in this way, we can hold each other accountable and maintain a productive environment. 

Overall, I’ve had to put in effort to make good use of my time. While it hasn’t been easy, I think that the skills I learn here will allow me to better manage my time when I’m back in Atlanta! 

First Experiences and Impressions

Written by Andre Grossberg

When I arrived in Paris, one of my biggest concerns was the threat of pickpockets. I’d been warned to keep a close eye on my belongings, especially in crowded places. My adventure took me to Montmartre and the stunning Sacré-Cœur Cathedral. Unfortunately, I was on my own as my dear friend Kingston from Atlanta was recuperating from a night out at a Taylor Swift concert and refused to budge from bed.

A bit nervously, I went around the sights and gawked at all the beautiful scenery. This led me to a famous staircase where as I was walking down, I noticed a guy standing near the stairs. Attempting to be polite, I asked if he wanted to go first to which he replied “No. Please go, go down the stairs.” Thinking that was an odd response, I walked down slowly checking my back when a young woman approached me and began speaking in French. I quickly explained that I didn’t understand French, and she switched to English asking for directions to a place I didn’t know. I continued to get more worried that this situation was going to go wrong. 

Then all of a sudden… she began to sing in full opera to me. She was an incredible singer, and I was completely taken aback. Shortly after, a cello player came to join her, then a clarinet player. As I stood there looking like a complete doofus, a crowd began to draw as they watched these three musicians play for this strange American tourist. As they concluded their impromptu concert, they excitedly revealed that they were musicians who enjoyed playing for strangers. They even asked if they could feature me on their Instagram. We then chatted for a bit where I learned more about them and we went our separate ways. 

Andre with local musicians in Paris

While I could go on and on about tips for those considering GTE (for example, please go to the events where you can get items that past students have left – it can save so much money), I actually want to save that for later blogs and first start a talk about mindset. I still warn you to exercise caution as you travel abroad, but reflecting on my first two weeks, I have already been amazed by the friendliness and kindness you can experience meeting people you don’t know.

Inspired by my surprise concert, I decided that I would begin to get out of my comfort zone and make an effort to meet others. With this changed mindset, I was lucky to meet many wonderful people at GTE with just as interesting backgrounds and interests. This has led me to two weekends where I spent time in Metz, Brussels, and Luxembourg with people I did not know before I came here. I paddle-boated across rivers, experienced my first hostel, and even found a new gym partner who will finally make me do leg day.

Along with students in the program, I decided to try to meet people in each country we went to. On the bus ride to Brussels, there were some rowdy Spanish men on the bus with a bunch of Red Bull merch. I built up the courage to talk with them and it turned out to be the European surfing champion, a finance specialist living in Luxembourg, and an influencer from Spain who were all doing a Red Bull challenge to travel through Europe with no money. We chatted the whole ride there and now I am following their journey online. In Luxembourg, I saw a skatepark and because I used to skate I asked if I could join some local skaters during their session. It turned out one was a student originally from Ireland, and we got to share our love for skating with each other and experience people asking us to do kickflips (though they ask in French in Luxembourg). 

While these are all neat experiences, what I really wanted to say is that I think one of the coolest things about traveling to other places is the people. Everywhere you will find kind, interesting, and happy people who are a pleasure to meet. While you should no doubt explore Europe with and cherish your current friends, I would like to urge those reading to consider talking to that stranger stuck on a long train ride with you, that student who happens to have the same hobby that you do, or even that person sitting right next to you, struggling to complete the math problem that you are also stuck on in your classes at GTE. You never know… you might find yourself struggling to find waffles in Brussels with them and making an awesome friend.

Happy Travels,

Andre Grossberg

Andre with Guillermo Robelo, Professional Surfer, and Gonzalo Montoya,
Spanish Digital Creator, on a train to Brussels Belgium

A Season of Firsts

Written by Cate McCoy

First Days

Although I’m already halfway through my third week at GT-Europe, it feels like it was just yesterday that I landed in Frankfurt and boarded the shuttle to Metz. A lot has happened since then, like exploring Paris, trying escargot (and liking it), learning a lot of thermodynamics and fluid mechanics, and falling severely behind on my travel journaling. But that’s all for another time; for now, I want to go back and reflect on my first few days at GTE, starting with my arrival in Metz!

Once I got off the shuttle and checked into my dorm, I lugged my suitcases up the two flights of stairs to my room. My living space is a studio-style dorm in Crous Technopole that includes a bedroom, bathroom, and kitchenette. All the necessities were provided, including bedding, kitchenware, and some travel-sized toiletries. The building is close to campus and located near the lake; although living in the downtown Metz area would be fun, I’ve been super grateful for my short walk/bike to class (especially since I tend to sleep late!).  

After unpacking, I met up with a friend and walked to Cora, the nearby grocery store. Our shopping experience was humbling, as we were unable to read any of the labels and had to depend on Google Translate—at least we were providing entertainment to the other shoppers! Finally, after at least an hour spent wandering around the store trying to find everything, we checked out and headed back to the lake near our dorms. We sat by the water and ate our newly purchased baguettes, along with some meat, cheese, and olives. The area by the lake is beautiful and full of wildflowers and birds; while sitting, we watched a swan land on the water and spotted a heron perched in a tree. It was the perfect end to my first night in France.

The next morning, I walked to orientation feeling jetlagged and nervous. I came into the program only knowing a few people, so I was anxious about the social aspects of the day. Luckily, most of my peers were feeling the exact same way, and these shared nerves allowed us to quickly connect. Orientation involved a campus tour, presentations in the auditorium, and lunch; afterwards, we were thrown right into classes. It was a long and draining day, but I was left with a good idea of how the semester would look, which relieved my nerves and gave me more confidence.

For the rest of the first week, I continued to settle in. Classes picked up quickly, but I’m lucky to have formed valuable friendships with several of my peers. We’ve quickly developed a daily routine together, which involves getting lunch at the cafeteria and doing schoolwork in the student lounge before class, while taking breaks to discuss travel plans and book train tickets for the weekends.

First Impressions

Now that I’m through the beginning stages of the semester, I’ve had enough time to recognize the notable challenges and successes that I experience during my day-to-day life at GTE.

A main challenge I’ve experienced so far involves food. The cafeteria, Crous Resto U’ Technopole, is open during the school week, but only for two hours during lunchtime. While that covers one meal of the day, we’re left to fend for ourselves for the other two. I’ve been cooking in my kitchenette, but it’s made difficult by the fact that I have one pot, one pan, and no microwave or oven. I’m hesitant to buy more kitchenware since I’m unable to bring it home with me at the end of the summer. Because of these limitations, I often find myself hungry during the school week, a challenge that my friends have also expressed facing. Luckily, there are plenty of solutions to the problem that I plan to implement, such as making a list of staple meals I can prepare in my kitchen and planning my meals for the week.

Regarding school, each class is just under two hours, and the curriculum is presented at an accelerated pace to fit it all into the term; it’s difficult to absorb that much information every day. Despite this, the workload is manageable, and I’ve found that this is largely due to the small class sizes of the program. My classes each have around 15-40 students, which allows me to have more personal relationships with my peers and professors, while also making it easier to ask questions mid-lecture. I believe that this has improved my understanding of the curriculum and is a huge benefit of the program.

Finally, and most exciting of all, travel has been a major aspect of my experience at GTE. I’ve made it to Paris, Strasbourg, and Luxembourg, and am looking forward to exploring Amsterdam this upcoming weekend. While travel can often present many challenges, my friends and I have been lucky to have smooth-sailing trips so far. I could have filled this entire post with travel stories, but I wanted to instead use it to share my honest first impressions of the GT-Europe program, along with my initial thoughts and experiences. Even with the occasional obstacle, these past three weeks have been incredible, and I’ve surprised myself with how confident and independent I feel despite being in an unfamiliar environment. Not only will I leave France with new memories, friends, and knowledge, but also with a newfound understanding of myself that I’ll carry with me for the rest of my life.

Thanks for tuning in. See you next week!

Making Friends

Written by Serena Khan

Diving into Georgia Tech-Europe was like stepping onto a rollercoaster blindfolded with not a single clue who’d be riding with me. I began my journey of finding my people by joining a GroupMe chat ahead of time, trying to see if I could make some connections before actually getting to Metz. Nonetheless, it still felt like I would be walking into a party where everyone’s already paired off into their cliques. I assumed everyone had already found their people which was nerve-racking to say the least.

In a last-minute “what have I got to lose” moment, I started DMing girls on GroupMe who seemed like they’d be down to earth. When I got to the airport to catch the shuttle to Metz, catching sight of other students made me realize most of us were going through the same thing — all of us bound for the same adventure. Bonding happened in the blink of an eye with a couple of girls on our way to Metz, making me feel like maybe I wasn’t in this totally solo. It was just the start, but that spark of hope felt really good.

These past few weeks in Metz have been nothing short of a blast. I now have myself an amazing group of friends that’s all about those uncontrollable laughs and making memories that’ll stick around way longer than any souvenir. This journey without them wouldn’t be the same. The time with them is flying by way too fast, and I’m here trying to live it up as much as I can.

To anyone even half-thinking about studying abroad: just dive in. Once you land, throw yourself into every single event GTE throws your way. Welcome bash, art classes, you name it—each one is a golden ticket to stepping out of that comfort zone and really soaking in this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity while you’re not spending your weekends traveling.

Feeling jittery about finding your people? I get it. But, surprise, surprise—it turns out connecting with others in a new setting isn’t as tough as it seems. Keeping an open mind and saying ‘yes’ a lot can make a world of difference. Before you know it, the globe feels just a tad smaller, and you’ve found a new family. As my own chapter here is already flying by, I’m just super thankful for the friendships and bonds I have already created. They’ve turned every day and every memory into something monumental.

The People We Meet On The Train

Written by Swati

March 2nd 2023

The people we meet on the train are Fate’s hands knitting the cloth of our lives right before our eyes. On the way to Venice, a massage therapist from Thailand settled in Albania, hoping to move to Switzerland to join the rest of his family. A couple on vacation from

Gyeonggi-do, South Korea, on a romantic getaway from the cityscape. Fathers wrangle rows of children together, mothers patiently gather tickets and baggage for disembarkment.  The people I meet on the train will be scored on my heart forever. 

On the way to Florence, I could feel Fate’s hand pushing me forward into my life. After a gentle morning in Burano, a fishing village off of Venice with rows of colorful houses and small pieces of handmade lace, I took some extra time to write by the water. I decide that Venice must be God’s favorite place on Earth. Manmade creations meant to mimic greatness I’d assume he respects the attempt, and allows it to prosper. It wasn’t a place where I necessarily found happiness, but where I found that happiness could be found. And with that I took a ferry back to Venice, with more than enough time to make it to my train. Or so I thought. 

How quickly an hour disappears. Delays in turn to new ferry lines, turn into frantic scrambling down Venetian streets, canvas bag in hand, hair whipping through the wind. By the time I made it back to my hotel to pick up my bag, I had 25 minutes to make the 22 minute journey to the Venezia Santa Lucia train station. I had all but given up, but something about traveling abroad alone has instilled more fight in me. If I am to miss a train, I must first attempt to make it. A big problem I had growing up was giving up too early. As it goes with young children who are identified as talented early on, I always wanted to be a natural. I wanted to be good at everything. I wanted assurance that all attempts are rewarded. But the world doesn’t work that way. And it’s alright. Sometimes Fate reaches out a hand. And that’s all we need. 

After clattering my way to the train station, a glass bottle toppled out of one of my bags splattering all over the stoned road. I couldn’t tell you why, but once I decided I’d be spending more than 2 days at Lake Como, I fell into the domesticity of it all, and ran to the nearby Lidl to purchase supplies for a lakeside picnic. The unfortunate thing about going grocery shopping with me is that I’ll always shop as my Indian mother taught me to, looking for deals and purchasing a mix of fruits and snacks. But this meant that I ended up with 2 full bags of groceries that I then needed to take to Venice, and later Florence, with me. I’d managed to pack a backpack crammed full of clothes for 10 days in Italy, but the rest were plastic bags from grocery stores knotted haphazardly around my fingers. I ran to the terminal a mere 3 minutes prior to departure, only to find that my seat was in the last car of the train. In the midst of the chaos, I make the split decision to settle into the second car, and cross my fingers that no one else has reserved the seat that I just claimed. Across from me, I snuggle my backpack, two bags of groceries, and my tote bag. Sigh of relief. I’ve done it. I’m on the train and I will be in Florence in 2 hours. Enter Fate.

Stopping at a nearby station, Padova if I recall correctly, a dozen new passengers enter the train. A woman walks over to the couple next to me, explaining that she had reserved one of their seats, starting a bit of a stir that had me wondering if it was my mistake that would finally be revealed. But Fate would have it otherwise. A man enters as well, gesturing that he has reserved the seat that held my belongings. Eyes widening, I apologize profusely, knocking over my water bottle full of San Benedetto Allegro, a sparkling citrus fruit juice. Lovely. While I’m gathering my bearings, the couple and a nearby train hostess discuss, asking the woman with the original seat reservation if she would be okay taking a different seat nearby, as the train car was close to empty. With an agreement from all four of us in the vicinity, she heads over to a different seat and the man sits across from me, apologizing as well. I detect an English accent and a lack of the normal European distaste towards my clumsy nature. I take the plunge, asking if he was English which led to the most engaging conversation I’ve had in months.

I find that he’s John Armstrong, a Glasgow native and Oxford-educated philosopher, professor, author, and art collector. It’s difficult to read strangers, and with all the stranger danger training I received beginning at age 5, I’ve favored safety in traveling alone. But life in Italy, and maybe in overarching Europe, has an emphasis on most strangers minding their own business, often not starting conversation unless approached first. It gives me a greater feeling of control and ability to walk myself out of unsavory situations or break if conversation tapers off. In fact, the way a conversation begins is quite interesting. It feels too technical to ever engineer perfectly, which is why I’ll always believe Fate led me to that train, that train car, that seat, and that conversation. 

John Armstrong has enough stories to last lifetimes, but I find that much of the work that he’s done and continues to do in literature are along the lines of the realizations I’ve had along my European adventure thus far: small joys and finding beauty in the little things, more specifically why we are pulled to beautiful things like the stroke of a brush in a painting, or a curve of a hand in a sculpture. I’m amazed to have found a writer, but also such a mind, passing through at the same time as I did.  I’ve never quite been able to look Fate in the eye the way I did that Thursday afternoon.

If by chance you’re reading this now, Mr. John Armstrong, I hope you find that opening line you’re looking for to start your newest book. 

The people we meet on the train won’t fix us. But they will teach us, lead us, and guide us into understanding that we are fixing ourselves.

C’est pas drôle! Well… Maybe a Little Bit

Written by Swati

January 23, 2023

With just a little over two weeks of living in France under my belt, I like to think I’m adjusting quite nicely to the new landscape. Waterways are plentiful, I’m encountering much fewer unfriendly French people than expected, and I’m picking up the language quite quickly, if I do say so myself. But, as we all know, with any new change comes its learning curves. Enter Cora. Supermarket extraordinaire, reminiscent of a super Target meets a Walmart, maybe throw in a Kroger for good measure. If there was one thing I wish I’d heard about Cora before I got to GTE, it’s how absolutely overwhelmed I would be as soon as I stepped foot in the store. I like to think of myself as a decently resourceful person. Prior to my first official visit and tour of the store, I made a grocery list and checked out their online selection to prepare me. Little did I know, nothing could prepare me for that experience. 

After more than 2 hours in the store that first go-around, I was frazzled, confused, and couldn’t understand any of the answers I was getting to the poorly phrased French questions I was asking. The exchanges would go a little something like, “Perdon, j’ai une question, où est fromage.. Uh le mozzarella (Where is the mozzarella cheese)” or “Perdon, j’ai besoin du lait (milk)” to which I would get rapid fast answers in French and I’d respond with a weak “merci” and a crinkle of the eyebrows, before deciding to wander the store in hopes of stumbling upon what I was looking for on my own.

I quickly realized I couldn’t go on like this and began tracking down other students as resources. There’s something noticeable about the GT students in the store. It’s hard to pin down what it is exactly, maybe a combination of general confusion and lack of awareness. Maybe also the fact that we huddle together and walk a bit more clumsily, running into the everyday French person on their daily grocery shop and standing confusedly in the middle of the aisles. I’d find familiar faces and ask where to find the oil with a frantic look in my eyes and would be met with an answer and an equally frantic question asking about rice. The first few trips to Cora were less than exciting, especially considering the time crunch. GTE has a shuttle to take us straight back to our dorms at 7:30pm on Monday evenings, but with a class ending at 6:15 and a 20 minute walk there, it’s my weekly dose of distress. 

I will tell you that I hold near and dear to my heart the one and only success, in which I asked a sales associate timidly, “Perdon, où est le ruban adhesive (tape)?” And expected to not understand what she’d say back to me. She gave me a once-over, saw the confusion in my eyes and responded slowly in French, “Le petit ou le grande?” “Le petit,” I responded, adding a small gesture with my hands. After all, I wouldn’t need a roll of duct tape to tape some receipts and ticket stubs into my journal. She nodded with a gentle smile and responded with the first French words I had made sense of in days. The tape was in the paper aisle! Two aisles over! I could hear the heavens calling out to me, I’d make it in this country after all. Alas, the walk of victory back to my friends after that experience was short lived as I later realized I had mistakenly picked up sweet and sour sauce after being too overwhelmed to read the labels in the pasta sauce aisle.  Spinach and cheese ravioli coated in aigre douce was a sour ending to a sweet experience. More on that failure later. First, let us revel in the glory of success.