January 28th, 2014

So, I've been here over a week already and things are going pretty well. I've opened a bank account, got a phone, registered as a temporary citizen, enrolled in classes. The down side? Classes still don't start for a week, and I have a TERRIBLE cold! Like sinus headache, watery eyes, sneezing fits, and a wicked cough. My solution? Lots of sleep, lying in bed watching movies, and lots of fruit juice!

So I haven't been able to travel yet. Oh well! There is an Erasmus group here (for international students) who plan outings, group activities, and travel opportunities. I've signed up for it and the first event is a meet and greet next week at the students bar. So I'll get to meet lots of people. There are also two welcome days this week. Friday is general international students at the University, and Saturday is specifically for students at the HEC management school.

Last Friday I got to meet my tutor. Her name is Alexa and she's a first year at HEC. Her and her best friend picked me up at the school and gave me a walking tour of downtown Liege. Showing me the stores and local hot spots. Also giving me directions to school and the close grocery store. They also helped me get a phone, so now I have some form of portable communication device, thank goodness.

Aside from that there's not much going on. I wanted to get out and see the city, play the tourist and take photos but I woke up a few days ago with this cold and decided getting better was more important before classes started.

January 22, 2014

Hello everyone! Apologies for the hiatus! School and life were absoluely crazy last month! Christmas was wonderful, I got to see almost everyone, which was nice. But y'all don't really care about that. You're more interested in where I am now!

I, ladies and gentlemen, am an international student at the Université de Liège, in Belgium! I've been here a few days now, getting things settled. There's still a few other things I have to get done, paperwork mostly, but aside from that I'm settling in well. I have dishes, and I know where the nearest market is so I can get food. It's been a stressful few days but I'm making do. They say the first month is the hardest.

My building is beautiful! It is right across the street from the University.

Unfortunately none of my classes will be in there, but the Housing office and the International Students office are both there which is helpful. My classes are on the H.E.C. campus, which is less than a 10 minute walk away, closer than where I lived in Lethbridge.

My apartment is gorgeous. I think it is the perfect size for one person. I have a private bathroom, desk, bed, kitchen. Its super cute.

I did have to buy my own pots, pans & dishes, but there's a cheap department store nearby and I got everything for 30 euros. 

Liège is beautiful. All the old buildings, the cobblestone streets. It's like another world. I'll post pictures later. The past few days I've spent trying to get my bearings as well as enjoy being in a foreign country. Once all my paperwork stuff is completed I'll play the tourist and go snapping away at pictures. 

Today I went to City Hall to be registered. The walk was gorgeous! I was along the river so all of the buildings were at least 200 year old, as well as the bridges. It was a beautiful morning so the walk was lovely. It's spring here, green grass poking up between the cobblestones. I can't believe there's four feet of snow back home! 

I think the most difficult thing about being away is the time difference. Everyone back home is typically awake between 3 pm and 6 am my time. It's hard to keep in touch, especially keep a Skype conversation going, when I'm about to go to bed or they're just getting up, getting ready for school.