The whole concept of study abroad is something I find absolutely fascinating. You go to another country where you have two choices--you can continue to be responsible and hard-working, or you can party your ass off. Now, hard work is great and all, but when you are taking three courses that rarely meet, and no one around you appears to be trying hard, your motivation quickly is replaced by the DaVinci Code, late nite games of Halo, pub-hopping, and gym time. The great thing about this fine part of the world is that the work ethic is completely different. In all of Europe, in fact, people work fewer hours and retire earlier than in the US. We think that everyone expects us to work hard, but cultural relativism being what it is, what we see as a good work ethic can be seen as excessive elsewhere. So in the last three days I've spent the mornings reading with a cup of coffee for hours at a time, doing a bit of work in the afternoon, and going out at nite, and let me tell you that it is fabulous.

Don't get me wrong, I have been logging hours in the library, because the European Union, Scottish History, and International Political Economy do fascinate me. But if I'm planning to take classes this summer at home (Chinese), I'm not going to feel too guilty about the whole affair. I mean, for God's sake, I go to Columbia University. I've worked and played as hard as I could for a decade; it's time for a little bit of selfish, relaxed "me" time.

Anyways, I love the fact that I'm rambling on a website that may have 1 or 2 readers at the max. So leave me some love if anyone is out there in blogland reading this ... or don't if you are lazy, since I'll continue posting anyway (what do you mean I like the sound of my own voice. Shut up!)

Cheers,
Brian