When in Utrecht..

Fun fact: There are 17 million people (give or take a few) in The Netherlands. Another fun fact, there are around 19 million bikes... that's about 2 million more bikes in Holland than humans.

Given that statistic, it should come to no surprise that one of the first things you will notice when you arrive in Utrecht is that everyone bikes here. I mean everyone. Men, women, girls, boys, old, young... The Netherlands' king even uses a bike to get around.

As does his security as well it would seem. How cool is this guy? Your move OBAMA...

Tip One: Buy a cheap, but reliable, bike and TWO good locks.

Naturally, if you come to study here in Utrecht or anywhere in Holland, buying a bike is essential. It doesn't have to be pretty, in fact it's probably better if it isn't. As long as it gets you from point A to point B then it's good. No one is going to judge you for having rust bucket of a bike. Apparently bike thievery is a huge problem in The Netherlands so I would actually recommend the crappy looking bike as opposed to the shiny new one because more likely than not, the nicer one will be stolen. And then you are stuck walking on the bike paths to get somewhere and everyone will hate you.

I am so glad I bought a bike. Forking over 76 euro was definitely worth the difference in travel time that having a bike makes. Walking to get to the city center takes around 55 minutes but by bike it is only 15. Plus, their are many more biking paths than their are walking paths, making it by far the easiest way to travel around the city.

Me and my bike, Frannie. What a gem.

I've never been one to stay in my comfort zone. I mean, where is the fun in that? Sure, as the name implies, it is comfortable. But comfortable... is boring. It's dull... monotonous...bleak, bland, drab. The word comfortable should only be used to describe couches and beds. What is life without a little adventure, even if you run the risk of failing or having something turn out not the way you would have liked. Life, in my opinion, is all about the risk.

My tendency to step out of my comfort zone is why, when I heard about the Euroscholars program, I jumped at the opportunity. I jumped out of my comfort zone once again, across the ocean, all the way to The Netherlands. And if this week has been any indication, it was well worth the risk.

Not that it started out easy. Claire, the other MSU Euroscholars student, and I were originally booked to fly out of Lansing to Detroit and then to Amsterdam. Unfortunately Michigan's weather decided to get nasty (as it usually does) and our flight out of Lansing was cancelled. Fortunately my father owns a large truck and was able to drive us all the way to the Detroit airport where our flight to Amsterdam had NOT been cancelled. And then, we were off. Just like that, I was on my way to Europe.

Let me say right now that although I do tend to never back down from a challenge, that does not mean I was 100% confident about my decision to do Euroscholars. The whole month before my departure date was me almost constantly being on the verge of a panic attack. I was worried my research professor would not like me, or I her. I was afraid I wouldn't make friends or ever figure out my way in a new city. I was basically petrified to go, but I knew I had to do it. I am SO glad that I did.

First off, my research professor, Dr. Heike Schmitt, is wonderful. I believe that we will work great together and it will be an amazing experience. Secondly, I already have a group of fantastic people from all over the world who I call friends (we say we are our Utrecht Family). And third, although the city is large, I am already figuring my way around by bike and if I ever do get lost, the Dutch have been very friendly and have pointed me in the right direction.

I am not one to take a ton of pictures but below is what I have taken so far. These pictures will give you a taste of what my first week in Utrecht has been like. There was far too much for me to put down into words but I will hopefully begin updating this more frequently!

It's not goodbye, just see you later :)

Don't let our smiles fool you, we were nervous.

The city is full of canals and small rivers, with buildings lining them.

My apartment is on the 10th floor of the red building in the left corner

This is the size of a typical latte here... where is my venti Starbucks?!

My kitchen area in the apartment

A view of the walkway underneath the Dom Tower, the highest point in the city. Fun fact, up until recently you were not allowed to build something higher than this tower.