Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Days 3 & 4


Today you get two for the price of one. We had such a busy day yesterday and we all needed to pack because we left Croatia early this morning so we did not get the blog posted. We are also running into some serious problems getting a good internet connection. It's something we take for granted back in the states, but I have had problems almost every night trying to get a connection. I finally gave up on the free Wi-Fi and I'm paying for this connection so we can get something new posted.

You can see the picture of our first illustrious student blogger, Diego. Here are some of his thoughts on the trip.

So far, Croatia has been amazing! Last night we were able to meet some locals our age, who were able to give us their views on the current situation of the country. It was interesting being able to compare and contrast to what they were dealing with against other sources, such as the media or the older generation.

Later on, when we went walking around the city, when noticed a few anti-EU posters. This was the first time that I personally have seen a movement against joining the EU. I feel like it is a good sign though, showing that there is opportunity in Croatia to speak out, showing democracy in the state.

The experience here in general has been absolutely amazing. Not only do we meet with some of the largest and most important companies in Croatia, but we also get a mix of free time in which we are able to explore the city. This is without a doubt an excellent decision taking this course.

Diego Rodriguez



Next up is Brianna who liked having the day we traveled as her day to blog. Here is what she had to say.

Day 4
It was our last day in Zagreb this morning, so Tyler, Adam and I made the extra effort and began our last minute adventures around 6:30am. As we walked the streets of Zagreb to find the perfect backgrounds for our most “touristy” pictures we soon realized that there was so much we hadn’t seen, however, we did finally make it to the local farmer’s market. Watching locals set up their stands with all sorts of fresh produce was so refreshing. It seems that no matter how much they modernize the city the people seem to maintain their traditions and keep their true culture alive.

In addition to some last minute site-seeing, we made sure to pick up a few remaining souvenirs for those closest to us that weren’t lucky enough to experience Zagreb for themselves. With our postcards, mugs, key chains, and local chocolate packed away, we ate out last delicious hotel breakfast and boarded the bus to Budapest.
It was only a matter of time before the bus ride became an official nap time. We all agreed that there would be much to do once we arrived in Budapest so recharging our batteries was a priority. But even those of us that were out cold managed to wake up as we approached the bridge that crosses the Danube River. We were surrounded by the gorgeous city of Budapest, and no picture could possibly capture the depth of its beauty.
As soon as we had checked in we were off exploring in all directions. Our hotel is located right off of the river and there are shops, restaurants, and grand structures everywhere. The group seemed to focus primarily on shopping today and it didn’t take long to find out that Budapest is a slightly pricier experience than Zagreb. Within just a few hours the difference in culture between Zagreb and Budapest was easy to not only see but feel.

Later this evening we headed out to enjoy some traditional Hungarian food. We chose a restaurant suggested to us by the hotel that was only a few blocks away. It was a small location and had a very traditional feel. I went for a lighter dish, Hungarian Gulash and many others ordered Chicken with red pepper (paprika) or Beef Gulash. Overall, we were very satisfied with our first official Hungarian dining experience and I sure I can speak for the rest of the group when I say we are very excited to try even more Hungarian cuisine especially the dessert!
I am off to find the group, and hopefully get some rest because tomorrow we are visiting Parliament!

Brianna Bartok





In closing, I told the students today on the bus that I could not be more proud of them. The have handled themselves as true professionals in every meeting we have attended and asked very good questions. They are all fun and enjoy the evenings after the business is done (like normal students), but they know when to turn on the professional image and they do it well.

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