Get pregnant. That's seriously the only plan I have right now, since it'll be right after my wedding/honeymoon in May.
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Plans for Summer '08?
Started by aanihc
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WHAT😱 ...you are already throwing away your life in med school...now you are going to get pregnant too!? is this a ploy to prevent a breakup/divorce since your relationship will probably go down the drain in M.S ?
Italy for a music festival at the end of May (I'm a cellist and a soprano), followed by a Firefighter I crash course, and I'll be driving back down to school at every possible chance to go sailing and race with the local yacht club. I can't freakin' wait, it's going to be an awesome summer. 😀
4-month long cryfest if I'm headed to the 'world of work' for one year after march.
Spending every weekend on my mom and stepdad's boat, partying on fire island and getting beautifully dark. Finding a place to live if i don't go to a school with good housing. Working out like it's my job. Riding at my volunteer ambulance corps in spare time.
I will be in Germany for 6 months starting fairly soon, so lets see...
For the ones you have listed I have a trip planned for Paris, Salzburg, Munich/Neuschwanstein, and Berlin.
I've been to Florence, and it is wonderful. Everything closed on Mondays obviously, so be careful of that.
Venice: A little touristy for me and floods of people if you go during the peak season.
One big tip: GO TO SWITZERLAND! Everything goes like clockwork, and the stay will be very nice. I love the Swiss life.
I think you're being a little ambitious. I would pick 5-6 places to visit in a month. Otherwise you're going to be spending the majority of your time on the train instead of enjoying Europe. 10 destinations means basically 10 days of travel, not to mention the flight there and back and time acclimation.
Central/Eastern Europe is wonderful and great in the summer. I lived in Vienna for a year and it's one of my favorite cities in the world. PM me if you want more info.
I'm actually spending a month in Europe in the summer as well, doing Nice/Monte Carlo, Barcelona, the Balearics, Naples/Capri, and the Greek Islands. Should be nice and relaxing.
Everyone is going to Europe... I want to go too...
Well due to scheduling conflicts I'm going to take summer classes, even though this summer was supposed to be my summer off... and I will be applying to med school at the same time... and hopefully I won't have to retake the MCAT... so my summer is going to be BORING.
Well due to scheduling conflicts I'm going to take summer classes, even though this summer was supposed to be my summer off... and I will be applying to med school at the same time... and hopefully I won't have to retake the MCAT... so my summer is going to be BORING.
Well, you can always do Europe next summer then! Did you not take the MCAT yet?
Sent in my application yesterday 🙂 I'm also applying for a couple internship spots at the Red Cross and a few other places. Hopefully I'll get something, and if not... I'll do a little travelling. My mom has a bunch of international conferences she's going to, and has invited me to go with her, so we'll see.
If all else fails, I'll either bum around all summer (if I get accepted), or do a lab tech or CNA training program (if I don't).
My friends and I are going on 28-day trip. We're starting in London and taking the Chunnel to Paris. We're going to buy a 3-week Eurail pass because that's the most cost-effective method. We plan on going through Italy, Switzerland, Austria, Germany, and maybe one Eastern European country. From the research that we've done so far, everything suggests that we cut down on the number of places to visit because the traveling really takes a toll on you. When are you headed over there?
damn, i envy you. unfortunately ill have to spend a month of my summer in africa doing volunteer crap. come back, shadow for a month and do some research.....oh the things i sacrifice.....🙁
Eurail is only the most efficient method if you use the train ALOT. That sounds like a reasonably itinerary for Europe though. One thing you may want to look into is flying within Europe, because it's really cheap, although it does limit how much stuff you can carry a little bit. It's much cheaper to fly within Europe than take the train, although the countries you are planning to visit are all adjacent to each other so it might be OK. Keep in mind, though, that a train ticket from say, Rome to Vienna is about E100 ($150) while flying is probably E25-50 and takes much less time.
The Czech Republic and Hungary are great Eastern European countries to visit, although in Prague, watch your belongings VERY CAREFULLY.
I'm going to India for a short trip and shooting my last film before med school!
Thanks for all your wonderful input!! we are planning to head over there beginning of July and get back in mid-august just in time for start of school. 🙂 I know, it's super busy season, are there any really good off-the beaten path places we should consider?
I know when I went to Greece for a month 2 summers ago, my absolute favorite was this tiny island not far from Athens called Hydra. It's not nearly as crowded as Mykonos or Santorini, and it's got all the Greek charms and the natives who really know how to live the Mediterranean lifestyle. Naflio and Rethymion were great too, not as touristy as Delphi or Crete.
Bratislava is a great place to visit. It's right next to Vienna but hardly anyone goes there. Croatia is the gem of Eastern/Southern Europe. It's like the Greek Islands, but cheaper. Budapest is a great city, similar to Vienna in many ways, but MUCH MUCH cheaper.
Prague, of course, is a city that has a lot of tourists, but for a good reason. It suffered hardly any damage during WWII and is very beautiful. It's not as cheap as the aforementioned cities, but still much cheaper than Vienna and Western Europe.
As far as Vienna itself goes, Cafe Central and Demel's aren't exactly off the beaten path, but are wonderful places to visit. It's pretty amazing to be able to sip a latte at the same cafe where Lenin and Trotsky planned the Soviet Revolution (Cafe Central), while Demel's was the official baker of Franz Joseph and has a lot of great desserts, don't miss the hot chocolate.
If you want to check out good local food that's relatively inexpensive, visit Grinzing, which is just north of the 21st district. You can get Austrian "country" cuisine there, which is rustic and delicious, and relatively inexpensive.
Spa Oberlaa, which is in the SE part of Vienna, is a very nice hot spring based spa, which will expose you to the interesting world of Austrian sauna culture, if you so choose.
There are lots more places I like, but how much time were you thinking of spending in Vienna?
CFB Borden <--Command central of boredom
And for the folks backpacking across Europe, get yourself a Eurorail pass with the right countries. My little brother had to bribe his way out of Poland after the military found him there without proper visa.
Cheers
Piyush.
And for the folks backpacking across Europe, get yourself a Eurorail pass with the right countries. My little brother had to bribe his way out of Poland after the military found him there without proper visa.
Cheers
Piyush.
I've decided to take a tour of Mexico and Central America (I've seen "Frida" a dozen times and every time I'm more determined to visit Mexico). Uet, I have all these crazy schemes. I thought about taking the Trans-Siberian rail from Moscow to Beijing, with a two-week stay in Mongolia to see the summer festival. Exploring Mongolia would be neat, but really hard to do well without spending a LOT of money for a tour. I could sublet an apartment in Tokyo, even though I went to Japan last summer (maybe two weeks in Tokyo, one week in Kyoto, and a week backpacking around Japan?). Another option would be to sublet a beach house in Hawaii... but I might get bored of being alone on the beach for a month. I could visit my mom's family in Poland, but I've been to sooo many places in Poland (it's a fabulous country to visit, really, but I've seen too much of it). Backpacking through the U.K. and Ireland seems kind of... tough to schedule and risky to do alone.
Well, a tour of Mexico, Belize, and Guatemala ends up being the most affordable option (also the least logistically tricky) so I think I'll stick with that. My biggest problem now is scheduling... When should I plan to return? Different medical schools seem to have radically different start dates. What if I'm waitlisted at one of my top choices and get accepted at the last minute? Most of the coolest travel options don't include internet access. How am I going to move all my crap from my current apartment to my new place? What about finding an apartment for med school? That'll require some allotted time. I'll have to put my stuff in storage- am I storing my stuff in my current city or moving it to a storage unit in another city? What about buying a car? What about buying a laptop? Should I fly directly from Mexico City (the end of the tour) to wherever I end up for medical school? Should I forget my crazy fantasy vacations and work two jobs to make a caboodle of money to set myself up for medical school? Should I just work at a part-time job at my college? The job that I'm thinking of has free housing, but I've already been in this city for four and a half years... AHHHHHH!!!!!!
(I clearly already need a vacation)
Well, a tour of Mexico, Belize, and Guatemala ends up being the most affordable option (also the least logistically tricky) so I think I'll stick with that. My biggest problem now is scheduling... When should I plan to return? Different medical schools seem to have radically different start dates. What if I'm waitlisted at one of my top choices and get accepted at the last minute? Most of the coolest travel options don't include internet access. How am I going to move all my crap from my current apartment to my new place? What about finding an apartment for med school? That'll require some allotted time. I'll have to put my stuff in storage- am I storing my stuff in my current city or moving it to a storage unit in another city? What about buying a car? What about buying a laptop? Should I fly directly from Mexico City (the end of the tour) to wherever I end up for medical school? Should I forget my crazy fantasy vacations and work two jobs to make a caboodle of money to set myself up for medical school? Should I just work at a part-time job at my college? The job that I'm thinking of has free housing, but I've already been in this city for four and a half years... AHHHHHH!!!!!!
(I clearly already need a vacation)
wow that's a lot... although, I don't know that I would suggest skipping any. Last summer I did Paris (1 week), Monte Carlo (1day) Venice (1 day), Rome (2 days) and Brussels (1 day). I wish I could have spent longer in some of the places that I went for only one or two days, but it gave me a good idea of what I wanted to go back and see. You should definitely go to southern France if you have time. Monte Carlo was lots of fun and it is gorgeous on the Mediterranean. We took the Eurail from Paris to Monte Carlo to Venice to Rome. Pack lightly! There's not a lot of room to put your luggage especially on a full train. Also, plan out your trip so you can save time and see more places.
pm me if you have any questions and Have Fun!
A second for Bratislava. Its an hour train ride from Vienna and a great chance to see some of Eastern Europe without venturing too far.
So I'm waiting to hear from one school, and if I get in anytime soon then I'm freee.... and then I might work at this new interesting job til july or so, and then a take a trip to Europe with some amigos.
If I dont hear anything soon, I will be studying for the MCAT yet again in case I dont even get taken off the waitlist or get outright rejected....and then apply to med school this summer, and in the meanwhile also continue my current job.
Really want to get in. I really need some peaaceee.
If I dont hear anything soon, I will be studying for the MCAT yet again in case I dont even get taken off the waitlist or get outright rejected....and then apply to med school this summer, and in the meanwhile also continue my current job.
Really want to get in. I really need some peaaceee.
I was in Europe for about 2 months this summer and it was AMAZING! I was in Spain most of the time and I loved it there. Just a side not, I think Portugal is the most affordable country in Europe while Spain is #2. Where will you be staying in Spain? Madrid? Just get to know the subways system and you'll be free to travel all over the area. There are so many things to do! Make sure you visit the Royal Palace of Madrid, Retiro Park, Prada, and Reina Sofia (Picasso's Guernica is there!)
Shopping is amazing in the summer, especially in July! I got really cute clothes for really good prices.
You should find a friend to travel with if you can --I think that makes the experience better. Also, the night life is crazy, so you definitely have to experience it and I don't think that's too safe for just a girl. Just be really careful. I know lots of people who got pickpocketed and someone tried to scam me! Oh yea, make sure you go to El Tigre --very cheap beer and tapas with a really fun atmosphere!
If you like architecture, try to go to Sevilla and Granada or the northeastern part of Spain.
Plan your trip out ahead of time, it'll give you just that much more time to sightsee. Hostelworld.com is where I read reviews on hostels and booked most them. Although I think if you book direct form the hostels they might be cheaper.
I stopped by Portugal and Italy for a little bit also, but I don't know as much about these countries as I do about Spain. I really wanted to go to Greece, but didn't get a chance to.
ok I'm making this post way too long, but please let me know if you have any questions for me!
I am studying Marine Biology in Belize in May- college credit for snorkelling!
After that- I am not sure I am working on a new possibility of doing hem/onc research at a hospital or just continueing my job as a nanny.
After that- I am not sure I am working on a new possibility of doing hem/onc research at a hospital or just continueing my job as a nanny.
Take bottled water and toilet paper! lol
Wouldn't leave home without it!
I'll be studying my a** off for the MCAT and filling out bunches of applications..how about that for a summer? LOL
all those places sound amazing.
of those i have only been to Salzburg and i would definitely recommend it. it's really pretty with a river running through, they are HUGE on Mozart and the sound of music( make sure you watch the movie first- i hadn't and could only appreciate it later🙁) then go to the castle at the top of the hill it's amazing.
Ill be staying at my university and doing molecular dynamics research on aequous NaOH-carbon dioxide interfaces. And maybe audit biochem, so when I take it during the year, its easier.
Hopefully I'll be working as a CNA at the hospital.
Buy a Eurail pass. Bring half the clothes and double the money. Pretend you are Canadian.
I've never been to Vietnam or Cambodia, but one of my good friends said that Angkor Wat is the only thing that they really enjoyed seeing while in Cambodia (I would love to see it, and would love to go to Vietnam, but that's probably not happening anytime soon😛).
I went to Vientienne in Laos, and it was interesting to see- there's a giant pagoda thing covered in gold, and a replication of the Arc de Triumphe which was neat to see. Luang Prabang is supposed to be AMAZING, but I was at the end of my trip and had limited time there. When you're in both cities, there's a really good sweedish pastry place (in Vientienne it's on the main fountain square thing). Their egg-on-french bread sandwiches are amazing. IMO, avoid Laotian food and stick to other influences of food (French, Thai, Vietnamese). They use a lot of fermented fish sauce (as in N.E. Thailand) and it's something that is reasonably likely to make you sick. Dont' get a lot of the Lao currency- it's pretty much worthless and most people only take dollars or bhat (thai currency). That may include euros as well now.
I lived in Thailand for 3 months (centered in Bangkok). I LOVE Thailand and the Thai people. There are tons of temples everywhere- things to def. see in Bangkok are the Palace temple, Wat Po (home of the Thai massage school- painful, but oh so good), and Wat Arun (my favorite temple). The food is amazing. Chiang Mai (north of Thailand) was really neat- there's also a good Thai cooking school there if you're interested. They have TONS of temples, you can go on elephant safari things out in the jungle, and you can also go to the village where they make the paper umbrellas (I think it's bo sang). The islands are nice. Ayutthaya is one of the former Thai temples, and is interesting to see. Sukkhothai is nice as well (another capital). There are tons of other places to go.
Best thing there is that you can take overnight trains to get places. They're relatively inexpensive and fairly comfortable.
If you have questions, etc. you're welcome to PM me. My rant on how SE Asia is so wonderful is now officially over🙂
I also went to Singapore. It was nice in that it was kind of a good way to acclimate to drinkable tap water before coming back, but kind of boring after the rest of SE Asia (IMO).
I'll sign off on that... Vienna is one of my favorite cities in the whole world. I lived there for a year.
That is so awesome. I'm jealous. What were you doing there?
I worked there for six months or so as a consultant and came back for study abroad while in business school. Both times were great!
Probably depends. My mom is flying from Amsterdam to Madrid on Saturday, and it cost her more than her flight from Denver to Amsterdam and Madrid to Norfolk.... almost combined. Apparently it was the same the last time she was over here; her flight within Europe cost more than her flight to and from Europe. But that might have something to do with the fact that her tickets have to be refundable.
Depends on what airline you take. If you take the cheap airlines (ryanair, skyeurope, easyjet, and various others... it will be dirt cheap. If you take the normal carriers it can be pricey of course.
I second your opinion! I was in Thailand last summer, I loved it too! Although I spent much more time in the villages in Northern Thailand than Bangkok, so I enjoyed the country side a lot more. If you got a chance, definitely go to Chiang Mai, or even further up Chiang Rai. The mountain ranges are spectacular, especially during monsoon season. We rented mopeds and explored the mountians ourselves 🙂
I think the flights within Europe depends on the destination. My friend and I just looked up flights from Berlin to Vienna, it's only $41 (kayak.com), that's really cheap, and the train would've taken more than 12 hours.
May I suggest if you are going all the way to Berlin to head over to Prague for a few days. It is easier now as the Czech Republic now works with the EU preventing more passport checks and the city is the prettiest I have ever been too! And do yourself a favor and eat at "The Black Cat" and "Bohemian Bagel" they are both amazing!
The castle and cathedrals in Prague are gorgeous
Suggestions for Berlin: Stop at the Reichstag (the clear dome on the government building) and go up at NIGHT- looking into the stars is wonderful! Also, if you have time go to the Jewish Museum Berlin the exhibits there are phenomenal and the architecture is moving! (BTW my whole Europe trip was Holocaust based so I did a lot of Museums and concentration camps)
The castle and cathedrals in Prague are gorgeous
Suggestions for Berlin: Stop at the Reichstag (the clear dome on the government building) and go up at NIGHT- looking into the stars is wonderful! Also, if you have time go to the Jewish Museum Berlin the exhibits there are phenomenal and the architecture is moving! (BTW my whole Europe trip was Holocaust based so I did a lot of Museums and concentration camps)
8 day cruise
Then physics I and II
That cruise takes away all the pain of summer school
Then physics I and II
That cruise takes away all the pain of summer school
I'll be somewhere 'Finding myself'😉
I might end up backpacking Europe alone too as less and less of my friends are able to commit and I promised myself I would do it before med school! That's a lot of places to hit in a month though!
I backpacked by myself in Europe for a while a couple of years ago and it was a life-changing experience. Definitely make sure you have a bag that is difficult to get into-I'm serious, I used one that had a velco closure over a zipper, with interior zippered pockets. Nobody was getting into it without me knowing. I carried a travel book, a journal, the essentials (passport, money, etc), a map, and water with me wherever I went. That way, you have what you need, and you have something to read while in eating alone (I always felt weird in a restaurant by myself without a book). Don't stay in a hotel/hostel next to the train station (typically a seedy area). Have a lock for your bag(s). Don't walk around by yourself at night. It's helpful to have a plan for each city-decide where you're going to go each morning/afternoon ahead of time so you don't show up and find the museum closed. Also, before you go, see if there are student deals or free weeks for the museums-they can really add up at 10-15 euros a pop.
And have fun! I met all sorts of interesting people on my trip and made some really great friends. I'm jealous of you!
I'm in the same boat. If I get in...I'm headed out to somewhere that ain't the US. If I don't...volunteering and studying for the MCAT (although I already have a good score, I'm thinking this time I could really knock it out of the park and get a 36+).
I'm really hoping I get in.
