Laura Hutton
Co-Editor-in-Chief
Living in North Village, I never dreamed that I would want to be anywhere else my senior year, until I spent a semester in Budapest, Hungary.
Before leaving for Budapest, I was concerned about what I would miss on the Hill. Now, back on campus three months after returning from Budapest I constantly think about all that I could be doing in Europe.
To say Budapest Spring 2008 was my best McDaniel semester would be an understatement. It was an experience I almost let pass me by and it changed my life.
After spending the summer after my sophomore year in Heidelberg, Germany, I knew I needed to spend more time abroad. However, with the swim team season lasting until the end of February, I was so afraid of missing the end of the season, especially Conference Championships. But, I also knew that I would always regret it if I missed this once in a lifetime opportunity.
Due to the time I had already spent abroad, four months was not as intimidating. However, in the weeks before I left, I was positive that I had made the wrong decision to study in Budapest and miss the end of my swim season.
The last meet I competed in was our dual meet at Dickinson, the same school where we had our first competition of the year. In my 100 yard freestyle, I shattered a personal record I had been trying to break for a year. This created a sense of accomplishment and a definite end to my season. I knew then that I was ready to say goodbye.
When I got on that plane with Jenny Sandler, 09′, and Fernando Gomes,’10, I was ready to go. Ready for what, I was not entirely sure. But ready to learn about Hungary, Hungarians, and myself.
While abroad I was able to stay in touch with the newspaper. I contributed stories on my blog and wrote for the student paper on the Budapest campus, The Messenger. I wrote my last piece for The Messenger about my overall experiences a few weeks before leaving Hungary and described my adventures as follows:
Well aware of how quickly the end of May would arrive, I packed my days with activities in Budapest and trips throughout Hungary and the rest of Europe, with the hope of embracing as much of Hungary as possible.
Journeying through the country, I was able to hang onto muddy hills while climbing in Visegr?d, browse the markets and stores in Szentendre, enjoy the sun in Sopron, and wave at Margo as she videotaped in P?cs. Lake Balaton, my final stop on my Hungarian adventure was my last hurrah before finals.
Aside from cities in Hungary, I was able to visit Salzburg, Austria; Athens, Greece; Vienna, Austria twice; Prague, Czech Republic; Paris, France; and tour through Ireland. These trips were filled with adventures and memories that I want to keep fresh forever, but I know they will fade over time.
I can feel the changes that those four months had on me, from the adjustments I had to make to fit into my life and home and back on campus. I am not the same person I was before leaving for Hungary. My life has changed, and my goals are changing accordingly, fitting into the song Closing Time by Semisonic. I am still adjusting to the person I am now and embracing my new beginning, for “every new beginning comes from some other beginnings end.”