Upon reflecting over my last few months spent in Amsterdam with CEA CAPA, it is clear to me that my experience would not have been what it is without the people I have met and the places I have seen.  

Pictured are some of my favorite moments, beginning with a Dutch staple—fries. Waiting in line for these was definitely worth it, as I got to chat and get to know the other students who would soon become my close friends.  

This photo is a throwback to one of our first days here! Within two days of landing we had already stopped to get the famous Vleminckx de Sausmeester fries after orientation. I ordered the parmesan truffle fries, and they definitely lived up to the hype! 

Our trip to the Our Lord in the Attic Museum was also a highlight—built in 1630, the old canal house has a hidden Catholic Church on the fourth floor. Walking past on the outside, you would never know that the attic of this tall, gray building used to be a sanctuary where Catholics could hold services during a time where public acts of worship were not allowed. Exploring the many levels of the home with my friends from CEA CAPA was both exciting and educational, as we all snapped as many pictures as we could of the stunning altar and window views.  

This beautiful altar is from our trip to the Our Lord in the Attic Museum. It was amazing to witness such an old piece of history with all of my fellow CEA CAPA students. 

Captured here is a view from a tiny window in the attic across from the altar. It is crazy to think I was looking at the same old buildings that churchgoers in the 16th century were gazing at! 

On our walk home from the museum, our whole group stopped at this canal corner to snap a few pictures of these beautiful canal homes. 

We all enjoyed a good laugh as we navigated a typical sight in the Netherlands— incredibly steep staircases. Since homes back in the 16th century used to be taxed based on their width, narrow stairs like these can be found in almost all old canal homes. Though they can be a pain to walk up and down sometimes, little quirks like these are what make Amsterdam such a special city.  

While it may be hard to tell from this photo, these stairs are some of the steepest I've ever seen—I had to practically tiptoe down them! 

Even simple activities like walking around and capturing moments of the picturesque streets on camera become more exciting when surrounded by new friends and what used to be an unfamiliar city.  

Our day trip to Utrecht was also very exciting, and only a 45-minute bus ride away. We all quickly fell in love with Amsterdam, but knew that seeing other cities within our host country was just as important. We visited De Haar Castle, which is the oldest castle in the Netherlands. Everyone pulled out their umbrellas to explore the large surrounding gardens and moats before heading inside to wander around its 200 rooms!  

On our day trip to Utrecht, we all managed to capture a group picture outside of Castle de Haar despite all the rain. If you look closely you can see the massive moat right behind us! 

Pictured here is just one of 200 rooms inside of the castle. This one stood out to me because of its gorgeous pink walls and decor. 

Utrecht seems to hold many historical records, as we also visited Dom Tower, the tallest tower in the Netherlands.  

In this room, the richly ornamented wood carving is reminiscent of the inside of a Roman Catholic Church.   

These detailed archways surround a beautiful courtyard garden we visited just near Dom Tower.  

The view from the top of Dom Tower is a must-see while in Utrecht. Climbing the steep stairs all the way to the top with such a large group was also part of the fun! 

Studying abroad has instilled in me a greater sense of confidence and independence, and has helped me grow greatly as an individual, as it does for most. However, sharing my time with the students and staff of CEA CAPA has made the experience all the more enjoyable, and given me friends and memories that I will surely never forget.