First Orientation Meeting

Last night was the first real orientation meeting I've had about Study Abroad. There were about 100 to 150 people there from all different programs to all different places. They gave us a few handouts and handy tips. Nothing too spectacular, but necessary information nonetheless.

The one thing I hadn't thought about was being ready to discuss current affairs and US history while I'm away. Foreigners will have questions about our history that they expect us to understand. Worse comes to worse I'll start blabbing about the civil war or some nonsense.

Another handy fact: everybody on a MSU study abroad program is covered under some short-term health care plan for emergencies. That's good to know.

Nick's Desk

Nick's Desk
Originally uploaded by Helmers.

To help the reader get an idea of the current state of affairs, I've included a picture of my desk.

Stuff I still need

• Pocket size notebook
• Streetwise maps of Berlin and Vienna
• Electrical outlet adapter
• New headphones for iPod
• Cheap watch

Other Titles

In Roger Hamlin's Real Estate Finance class I thought about some names for this website.

• Nick Helmholdt Never Goes to New York
• Robots Aren't Carry-On Luggage
• Will My Razor Work Here?
• Last Minute Plans
• Oh, and Chocolate. You'll eat lots of that.

I also though of some combination of Dortmund/Berlin/Vienna but that wasn't going anywhere.

T-Minus 27 Days

The purpose of this weblog is to provide the exploits of Nicholas Helmholdt's travels abroad to a wide audience of friends and family. I will update it as often as humanly possible using all imaginable sorts of media: pictures, sounds, and tastes.

Between now and my departure I will update with any news about my plans and what I'm bringing along.

(also: if you're wondering why the time is so off it's because I changed the time zone to Berlin's.)