RISEBA Riga, Latvia

The end of the semester abroad doesn't really come as a surprise, because you know from the beginning how long you're going to be abroad. But I was still a bit shocked when I realised it was time to pack my bags. With that, welcome to the last digital postcard from Riga!

For me, goodbyes (including moving) usually mean more stress than joy, and I'm a little worried it'll all be too much. But in between the chaos of packing, the chaos of exams, the chaos of clearing out my apartment and the last goodbyes, I try to remember why it was all worth it. Going abroad was one of the best decisions I made last year, and I couldn't be happier. These six months have really been a time of self-discovery for me, of trying things out, seeing things and meeting people that I would never have met otherwise, and that's really great!My highlights, and you've probably already guessed this if you've read my other posts, are definitely the trip to Lapland with ESN, the trip to Vilnius, the days on the beach at the Baltic Sea in the summer, and just living in Riga in general. For me, this city and the whole country is a real hidden gem. I probably wouldn't have discovered it until much later if I hadn't ended up here during my semester abroad. So let me be clear: you should definitely consider Riga as a possible destination for your semester abroad if it's not already on your list. Despite the stress of the past few days, we have discovered a few more gastronomic treasures over the past two weeks, which makes it all the more sad that our time here is so limited. But the good news for you is that my recommendations will get you acquainted with the good places right from the start.

Good beer and (very!) good company can be found at the Auss Bar (Ģertrūdes iela 59), a small, cosy pub frequented almost exclusively by Latvians. Here you can spend the whole evening playing a game of cards or novuss (Latvian billiards). If you want to dance the night away to techno music, Laska V21 (21 Vagonu Street) is the place to be. In summer, end the day with a beer in the courtyard.

My Riga adventure is almost over, so I'm back to packing. I've found a few gems here at Humana, so wish me luck that my suitcase doesn't burst halfway through.

Čau!