Amsterdam, Netherlands

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I started my journey and I flew 4,237 miles across the US and the Atlantic.

A little over a week ago, my parents dropped me off at the airport and I was on my way, first a connecting flight to Reykjavík, Iceland then finally to my first destination of my journey, Amsterdam. I spent a couple days to explore the city, visit the Anne Frank house, and eat some tasty food.

On September 9, my ship life began. I started the day early in Amsterdam and made my way by train to Amsterdam Central with all of my bags with a total weight of almost 100lbs. These hundred pounds would be my only belongings that I will have access to for the next four months. It took me only a short time to unpack my things into the tiny closet that I had access to and then I was off wandering the halls of the ship looking for things to do and people to meet. Through my exploration I found that my favorite location so far is at the back of the ship (technically called the aft which the ship crew has reminded us of repeatedly). This is the best spot for sunsets and sunrises which I will entertain you with a few pictures. Since we are on our way north to Poland the weather hasn’t always been the best but there are some spectacular sights to see if you catch the right moment. 

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Evening came and we started our embarkation towards Poland. It’s an interesting feeling to start moving on such a large thing but now only a few days in I can’t really remember what still land feels like. As we watched Amsterdam fade into the distance we also watched a large group of family members holding up signs and waving goodbye to their people. I waved and pretended like my parents were right down there with them, it was the moment that I had actually realized my random google search about study abroad programs months ago is now becoming real life. I was here, it was happening. 

Up to this point I have been through hours of safety information and orientation meetings, so don’t worry about me I know everything I need to know and more about keeping myself safe and alive outside of the US. 

Classes have begun and I think it’s been one of the first times ever in my life that I was actually excited about school, I’ve missed it a bit considering all my friends have been back for a month and I haven’t had much to do in the meantime. While I’m here I’ve been meeting hundreds of new faces and stories so it’s overwhelming to keep up with it all, but soon I am sure we will all settle in and find our people. Between classes, meals, workouts, clubs, and all ship life in between you get to be exposed to so many different people. 

As of now if I had a word to describe my experience so far I would say overwhelming but not in a bad way, there’s just so much to take in during a short time. It’s exciting to be surrounded by discomfort, it offers the opportunity for me to experience things I never have and grow and ways I didn’t know possible. It sounds silly when I read this back because it doesn’t sound like something I would say at all but it’s real and it’s amazing what being surrounded by nothing but ocean and unknown faces will do to you. 

So far, I have learned that…

1. for me seasickness isn’t a real thing (at least for now) 
2. the left side of the ship is called port
3. showering on a ship is rocky, if you don’t have good balance you get tossed around
4. the right side of a ship is called starboard
5. escaping wifi can really be a great thing
6. the ocean is so big

*if this goes well and I keep learning things I might start an Ally’s Insights section about what I’ve learned*

That’s all I’ve got so far but there is so much for me to experience, learn, and share. 

If anyone is interested in contacting me please send me an email at alyssa.richter.fa19@semesteratsea.org

When we are at sea there is a quite a bit free time since classes aren’t in full swing yet, so I would love to spend time hearing about what’s going on back home. So, send me updates, I’ll email you back maybe not quickly but eventually. I’m serious I would love a message from anyone, even if we aren’t close or you think it might be weird, trust me it’s not. Send me an email!

Next stop… Gdansk, Poland