2 Month Update: Everyday Life and Learning About Myself

 I'm two days out from being here for two months and I feel at home. I've made my room cozy and homey, just in time for Fall and the colder weather. I've gotten into a routine that includes school, cooking, cleaning, and leisure activities. I feel like a local. 

I love coming home to my apartment after school and cooking myself a homemade meal while music plays. I love hanging with my friends in someone's room and talking until the early hours of the morning. I even love going to school. 

I've learned a lot about myself these past months. I've learned that I like my own space. Not just 'like', but love. So much so, that I'm predicting I'll experience reverse culture shock when I return to Loyola. University housing here in the Netherlands usually does not include roommates. Students typically have their own rooms and bathrooms and then share the other living spaces. I know when I go back, I'll have a hard time adjusting to roommates. Living alone and as independently as I have been has taught me that I thrive better when I can call an entire living space my own. 

I got very lucky with this program as our housing consists of studio apartments. We have our own kitchen area, our own bathroom, a couch, closet, storage, desk, table, chairs, and a king size bed. It's honestly amazing. 

the windows let in so much natural light during the day

I've definitely already started to feel nostalgic towards the Netherlands and city center, specifically. I finally feel like I belong in this city and can see myself living here in the future if there wasn't such a bad housing crisis. It's been a long journey thus far, but I feel like when I leave, part of me will stay in Amsterdam/Diemen. I love it here and I can't wait for the next two months. 

Here is a video of my apartment: