Rome

For a little end of the term celebration my classmate Chu and I went to Rome for a couple of days... can't wait to go back!


Sitting on the edge of the Tiber River with St. Peter's Basilica in the background


Chu is hanging out with the weirdly dressed Vatican guards


In front of the Parthenon


Chu and I at the Roman Forum, the center of Ancient Roman life


The two hour line to get into the Vatican Museum


It was worth the wait... Chu and I in the Sistine Chapel listening to the audio guide;the artwork behind us shouldn't need an explanation


It was a long day for Chu... he took a quick nap while I enjoyed a coffee in the Piazza Novena


Colosseum, sweet!

Pics from the Term

Here are some photos from over the past term...


The rarity of snow in the UK, classes were canceled from a little dusting


Judy and Raquel making lamb and potatoes for Greek night


A little Greek dancing after dinner


A little singing after dinner, it must have sounded Greek based on Heli's reaction


Spring time on Campus, the library looks quite appealing from this view


A little soccer with the boys


A little fun after soccer


Enjoying some carrot cake with the birthday boy, my friend Roger turned 23


Friday night pub political philosophy

St. Paddy's Day

The St. Paddy's Day parade in Birmingham is suppose to be one of the biggest in the world, behind New York and Dublin. I don't know how true that is, however, it is long and there were a lot of people there to see it. It also happens to be Guinness' 250th birthday, so there were twice as many reasons to celebrate!

My classmates and I enjoying a pint

My favorite part of the parade was when St. Patrick arrvied riding a tractor with a large glass of Guinness on the back!

A small part of the parade

My classmates celebrating Guinness' birthday

Portugal

Flew down to Portugal for a few days to enjoy the sun. Unfortunately, our camera misplaced itself and the only photos we have are from the last day or two taken from a mobile phone. We spent time in Porto, where Port wine is made, excellent. Then stopped in the towns of Fatima and Coimbra. Eventually made it down to Lisbon where it was nice and warm.

Sitting in the Castle of St. George overlooking the city of Lisbon

Tower of Belem, guarding the city of Lisbon

Pena National Palace, started off as a monastery and became home to some of the Kings and Queens of Portugal

In Sintra, a photo from within the Castle of the Moors

My classmate Raquel standing in the Belem Tower

A photo of the cloisters within the Monastery of St. Jerome in Lisbon

Belgium

The Political Science department took us on a trip to Brussels, Belgium to visit the European Union and NATO headquarters (which no pictures where allowed to be taken). With a group of about fifty, we had a wonderful time.

We visited the village of Bruges, located outside of Brussels. Lots of chocolate was consumed!

In Bruges, the lake of love is a beautiful spot.

Over looking Bruges

Inside the European Union Council, behind us is artwork of the many European stereotypes

Our group dinner was a lot of fun!

My classmate Heli is entertaining herself

I'm enjoying a great seafood dinner

Manneken Pis, little boy pissing, is a famous landmark in Brussels

The famous Atomium was built for the world fair

Heli and I representing her home country of Finland in the European Union Commission

Andy, Judy and I sitting in the European Union Parliament