BELMAR-BEACH Sunday, August 31st

After this exhausting day(s), we decided to relax a little bit. Yep, as the sun was shining and the birds were singing, we thought it to be a good oportunity to go to the beach. Belmar was our goal, which is approximately 45 minutes from Lawrenceville. The „Austrian (except for Kristel, she was in Tennessee) gang“, the two Frenchies and our American friends Julie, Julie, Rachel, Amander, Elizabeth, Cynthia, Monique and Katie headed for the beach. FUN! The beach was beautiful, the sun was shining and we were having a blast. Relax, relax!

 

The next few days we were just relaxing, watching movies like „Borat“ and „Superbad“. We just wanted to relax before the classes started.

NEW YORK CITY – Saturday, August 30th

Trip to New York with Linda Materna, the chairperson of the foreign language department, Barry, a prof of politics and Harry Naar, a prof for arts. We were all – the Austrians and the Frenchies, kind of tired, because we had stayed up very late, and some of us didn’t feel well- the reason, well I don’t know the reason. Anyway, we went to New York City. First we enjoyed the portraits or art in the Metropolitan Museum or „Metro“, where Harry guided us through. Then we walked down 5th Ave, passed the Central Park, the Rockerfeller Center, Madison Square Garden, the Trump Tower and the Times Square. What to say? AWESOME. Unfortunately, we ran out of time so we couldn’t see everthing. But at least we got some impressions of the „Big Apple“.

After the entire day walking around, we were pretty exhausted. I could hardly keep my eyes open. Back home, in our dorms almost starving, we were served pizza- again. After chatting with some people, I finally went to bed.

Friday Night

What is there to do on campus? Well, we, the 22-year olds and over decided to party a little bit. It started quite funny, with (drinking) games and so and so forth. Finally we ended up with a warning from the RAs, the Resident Advisors. More details back home.

RIDER CAMPUS – Orientation days start, August 28th- August 30th

For three days (from Thursday till Saturday) we had orientation days, where we were informed about all the safety instructions on campus (we’ve got our own public safety officers here J, unfortunately they are not cute at all), about where to go when problems arise or when we’re ill. We also have an indoor swimming pool on campus, which will open its doors on the 29th of September. We can’t wait!

Oh, not to forget the rules they mentioned , which we MUST follow when staying on campus. I just want to mention two out of the paper „Alcohol policy“

Smoking is only allowed outside the buildings.When smoking, you must stand at least 10 feet away from the building.

No alcohol for underage people (Which means for people under 21). If you are 21 and over and you stay with someone in a room who is underage, you are not allowed to have/consume alcoholic beverages in your room or another’s room.

And we were told to „drink with responsibility“ and „to represent our countries“! OK ;-)

Changing the topic now, I want to tell you that I, we also have „buddies“ or „mentors“, who should be our friends now. No, just kidding. I have got a really nice, friendly,  awesome mentor. Her name is Julie and her majors are Psychology and education.  Of course we get along very well and I hope to spend a lot of time with her in the near future.

 

Another thing at Rider, which is pretty well organized are the „Off-Campus Trips“. Kristel, Gerlinde, Jasmin etc. already signed up for a „Sex and the City Bus Tour“, a trip to Princeton Campus, a trip to a Baseball match etc. And that’s all for free. I’m really curious about the trips!

 

Yesterday I was invited to Kirsten’s aunts house- eating. But it tasted delicious! Her family (until now I just know her mum, her aunt Barb, her uncle Dave and her sister Shannon) is so kind. They are just awesome, like the American people in general, whom I’ve met so far. They are putting a lot of effort into  getting to know us, our culture and our customs. AMERICANS- go for it!

 

USA – ARRIVAL. Austrians take over Rider University J, August 27th

After a 3 1/2 hour ride to Linz, crying my eyes out, and waving goodbye to my boyfriend and cousin , we were on our way to Munich- another 2 hour trip. When we finally arrived at the airport in Munich, Kristel was crying her eyes out. At the airport we met Behnam, another Austrian exchange student. Get on the plane!

While waiting anxiously, anticipating getting on the plane in Paris, and heading for Newark, New Jersey, I was stopped after the check-in  by a security guard. Of course they have to stop me because I defintely look like a suspect. She-unfortunately it was female security guard- did a full body search, Whatever!

Finally on the plane, we watched movies, such as „What happens in Las Vegas“ or „Kung-Fu-Panda“, but most of the time I was sleeping in a very uncomfortable position. After a 9 hour flight we finally touched American soil. Yippie! The security checks were much easier to get through than in Paris- I didn’t have any problems at all (they were just taking our finger prints and a picture). What a surprise! After our arrival we had to wait for the two „Frenchies“ Thibeaut and Benoit, who are exchange students from France (well guess what, they actually speak French) and they are staying for only one term. These guys are just awesome (When reading my blog you’ll find out that I use this word very often) and we got along very well from the very first moment. Finally Amjad (or as we prefer to call him „one-shot“), a Rider staff member picked us up at the airport and took us to our „beautiful, overwhelming and awe-inspiring Rider University campus“. On campus Ervin, another Austrian exchange student, who is originally from Slovenia, was already longing for us.

Totally SHOCKED! We entered our rooms in Gee Hall (A 103, probably the most known room number right now) and... there was just NOTHING. Actually the rooms solely consisted of two beds, two desks, two bookshelves, two dresser and something looking similar to a closet. Just plain!

After having experienced the way of accommodation on campus, we were invited to a Pizza Party. Pizza –What else? There we got to know some other Rider staff members besides Amjad. We also did a little „sightseeing tour“ around the campus- every building actually looks exactly the same, but at least there is beautiful lake.

Afterwards I finally met my awesome roommate, Kirsten. We met and we clicked together immediately. I’m really happy to know her, because she is as open-minded, crazy and fabulous as I am J. Kirsten’s major is International Business and Marketing, her minors are French, Spanish and German. So we have, at least a few things in common regarding school. Well, she actually wants to spend two years in Europe, where she is going to study in France, Spain and AUSTRIA, Graz. All I can say for now is that I’m glad that SHE is my roommate.

So, as you can see when you read, I’m really fine and I’m doing great!

 

the hotties are back!

A week ago we (Kristel, Julia and Mario, Kristel's friend from Guatemala) decided to follow the flow and watch the looked-for third part of Pirates of the Caribbean. Of course we were watching it in English, otherwise the movie would have lost its ambiance.

Actually, speaking of language comprehension, I didn't have many difficulties. Mostly they spoke clearly, I rather had a hard time to follow the sequel as it isn' that easy to follow. You definietly should wach the second episode before the third one, otherwise you will be a bit lost. I did watch the second part but it was way too long ago. Anyway, it was a feast for the eyes to see Captain Jack Sparrow and Will Turner on the screen. The film was kind of irritating, but funny and full of Jack's charme. The actors performed very well so that in the end I even had to cry. Anytime again! :-)

DAY 3 - A BLAST!

On our thrid day of our journey, we decided to amble through the streets of Amsterdam and once again shop around a little bit. Completly exhausted from the shopping tour, we stopped by at an Argentinian steakhouse called "La Pampa". Guys, I've got to tell you- the food was amazing! I definitely can recommend this restaurant to anybody who wants to eat cheaply and deliciously.

Anyway, chatting and eating there, we were addressed by two Duchmen. At first they seemed kind of weird, but talking to them for about an hour made us change our minds. So, the first impression isn't everything. Finally, we got invited to Herman's apartment. As we were four girls, we accepted their invitation and joined them.

Shock! The apartment was run- down, almost impossible to describe: filthy, filthy, filthy as far as the eye could reach. But after some Heineken we totally forgot the dirty surroundings.

The two guys and Rokus another friend of them, who dropped over were just a barrel of a fun, though. Their sense of humour was just awesome and we were laughing our heads off, when talking to them. After staying at Herman's the whole afternoon, we finally left at 7 p.m.

On our way to the hotel, we met another Dutchmen named Gino, who right away invited us for another booze.

Returning squiffily to the hotel, we got together with the French soccer players with whom we were sitting down in our "hotel bar" to drink, for a change, something nonalcoholic.:-)

Well, that night was our last night, unfortunately! It was great to go to Amsterdam again, meeting very welcoming and friendly people.

HAD A BLAST!