Bruins Abroad - Chloe Tarkany in Central Europe

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- This summer, a couple of Belmont student-athletes spent some time overseas taking part in Belmont's Study Abroad Program.   

Throughout the summer, Belmont Athletics will highlight the experiences of our student-athletes as they encounter and engage with new landscapes, cultures, and peoples.

Our first reflection is by Chloe Tarkany, a graduate student women's golfer from Scottsdale, Arizona.  During the Maymester, Chloe went to Central Europe with other Belmont students. 
 

Where did you study abroad this summer?
We stayed in Vienna, Austria, and Split and Dubrovnik in Croatia. I also went on day trips to Salzburg, Austria, Prague, Czech Republic, Budapest, Hungary, and Kotor, Montenegro. 
 

What classes did you take?
 
International Negotiation
 

What was your favorite memory?
 
It is impossible to choose just one highlight from the trip, especially since I visited five countries and several cities. To mention a few highlights: I was fortunate to attend a presentation at the United Nations Headquarters in Vienna. In Salzburg, we went on a breath-taking bike tour that showed off where all the scenes from The Sound of Music were filmed. In Montenegro, I hiked to the top of a fortress that had an amazing view of the city and Adriatic Sea below. 
 

Is there a specific place that you would go back and visit?  If so, where and why?
 
I would love to go back to Prague and Budapest.  I learned in school that other countries have a much longer history than the United States (with the US being a relatively new country).  While I knew this, it was another thing to experience it.  All of these countries in Central Europe have such a rich history and buildings that have been there for centuries.  For both Prague and Budapest, they were day trips and I would love to go back and further soak in the culture and history. 
 
 
 How was the food?  What was your favorite meal? 
 
The food was delicious.  In Budapest, I had goulash soup which resembles chili that is slow cooked beef, vegetables, noodles, and paprika.  With Croatia being on the Adriatic Sea, it had delicious seafood. I enjoyed a lot of squid, cuttlefish, and risotto that was black from squid ink.  All across central Europe the pastries put ours to shame. The croissants there were like eating air, if air was my favorite food. 
 

After being overseas for this period of time, what did you miss most about "home" (U.S.)?
 
Things I missed from home:
 

• Having a normal routine
• Golf (I didn't have my clubs with me).
• Free water at restaurants
• Not having to pay to use restrooms (even in public places like the train station charged in Europe)
• Asian food