Inside Student Blogs

Joycelene Fernandez Amsterdam, Fall 2009

Joy is a junior at Lawrence University participating in the IES Abroad Amsterdam program. She is a proud Gender Studies and Psychology double major and History minor. While in Amsterdam, she hopes to get a head start on her senior project that will investigate the pressures involved in disciplining the female body, especially in regards to sex work, eating disorders, and reproductive health. Her goals are to travel within and beyond the Netherlands, have a conversation in Dutch in her charmingly awkward accent, and gain a better grasp of her identity as not only a feminist, but also as a human being.

Joy's Posts

• Reflections from Amsterdam – A Year Later

  8/02/10 • (0)

  The realization that it had been nearly a year since my departure in search for adventure abroad dawned upon me in the most unlikely of places: a Mexican fast food restaurant.

  A Year Later, Amsterdam, Netherlands

• “Lucky to have been where I have been; lucky to be coming home again.” -Colbie Caillat and Jason Mraz

  12/18/09 • (1)

  Now that I’ve returned to the States, it’s time to go full-circle and get a little philosophical and more than a little profound. Bear with me on the the maudlin poeticisms, dear readers, for I promise you that this will be for the final time.

  Amsterdam, Post-departure, The Netherlands

• “Are you the now or never kind?” -Eve 6

  12/14/09 • (0)

  All good things must come to an end. With less than a week left here in Amsterdam, it is time for one last update here in the Netherlands to reflect on my time here amongst the Dutch. This calls for a little poetry, a little philosophy, and a little… football?

  Amsterdam, Blogs, The Netherlands

• Surviving Amsterdam 101

  12/04/09 • (0)

  In the words of Baz Luhrmann, “Advice is a form of nostalgia. Dispensing it is a way of fishing the past from the disposal, wiping it off, painting over the ugly parts, and recycling it for more than it’s worth.” With less than two weeks left in Amsterdam, I’d like to offer a few tips to upcoming study abroaders, travelers, and the merely curious.

  Advice, Amsterdam, Blogs, The Netherlands

• No t(of)urkey, no America, no problem!

  11/30/09 • (0)

  In spite of my growing cynicism towards the commercialism of the holiday season, I must admit that some of the important aspects still manage to persist. A Thanksgiving abroad and the many things I am grateful for.

  Amsterdam, Blogs, Holidays, Thanksgiving, The Netherlands

• Sinterklaas is coming to town!

  11/20/09 • (0)

  The holidays have officially arrived here in the Netherlands! My take on the Dutch holiday of Sinterklaas.

  Amsterdam, Holidays, The Netherlands, Traveling

• “… I wonder if it’s swine flu.”

  11/04/09 • (0)

  While some would beg to differ, being sick in Paris (twice!) and Amsterdam is as equally miserable as being sick in your suburban home in Chicagoland. My second visit to Paris in the same week, falling ill abroad, and realizing the unconditional comfort of home, in sickness and in health.

  Amsterdam, Sickness, The Netherlands, Traveling

• “Baby went to Amsterdam; she put a little money into traveling.” -Peter Bjorn and John

  10/29/09 • (2)

  My adventures while pseudo-backpacking through Europe for ten days! My journey through various parts of France, Switzerland, and Spain.

  Amsterdam, Pictures, The Netherlands, Traveling

• DOES the rain in Spain fall mainly on the plain? Time to find out!

  10/19/09 • (0)

  Fall has descended upon the Netherlands, which can mean only one thing: rain.

  Amsterdam, The Netherlands, Traveling, Weather

• 

  A breath of fresh air!

  10/12/09 • (2)

  I can’t make any promises, but I hope that this will be my last blog update that involves a disaster of any sort. My weekend away from Amsterdam exploring Veluwe and Het Loo.

  Amsterdam, Apeldoorn, Pictures, The Netherlands, Traveling

• Oh how time flies!

  9/28/09 • (0)

  It’s officially been over a month of adventures, new discoveries, and, of course, class.

  Amsterdam, Classwork, Netherlands

• When “In Bruges”

  9/21/09 • (0)

  Another traveling misadventure! My journey to Bruges, Belgium.

  Amsterdam, Bruges, The Netherlands, Traveling

• Lost (and found) in translation.

  9/14/09 • (1)

  How the realization that the Dutch speak, well, Dutch really dawned upon me.

  Amsterdam, Cultural Differences, Netherlands

• 

  A new adventure begins!

  8/31/09 • (0)

  They really weren’t kidding when they said that getting there is half the battle. A tale about the traveling mishaps on my way to Amsterdam and how orientation has been thus far.

  Amsterdam, Netherlands, Pictures, Traveling

• “Let’s get out of this country!” -Camera Obscura

  8/19/09 • (2)

  “‘All I know, April, is… I want to feel things. Really feel them,’ Frank expressed with a vague longing in his eyes.” (This is not a book/movie review. Promise.)

  Amsterdam, Pre-Departure, The Netherlands