A Tour of Tours
I’ve been in France for a few weeks now, and it has been everything I’ve always dreamed of! I first arrived in Paris, where we stayed for a week and did some sightseeing. I was so excited to see all the signs in French and the bakeries on every corner. Although I’ve studied French for a few years, I was still nervous about not being able to communicate entirely with natives. Luckily in Paris, almost all workers in...
A Thank You to my Italian Family
Before this trip, I had only had the opportunity to travel abroad once. I was in high school and the trip only spanned the length of ten days, so I spent every night in one hotel or another. So when I found out I was going to be staying with a host family during my study abroad program, I was extremely nervous. Not only was I going to be in a different country surrounded by a different language and different culture, but I was also...
Perché Italia?
When I decided to declare a minor in Italian, the first question many people asked was “Why?” And why one decides to do something is rarely followed by a simple answer. However; just this once, the answer was relatively easy. My great grandparents and several other older family members spoke Italian however; it was not passed down. I’ve always felt cheated out of the language so I took things into my own hands. I decided...
Practical Tips to Begin my Study Abroad in France
I am writing this update from the airport, where I am currently sitting as I wait to board a plane that will take me to Paris, France. From there I will travel via bullet train (the TGV) to the town of Tours, where I will spend the next four weeks living with a host family and studying at the Institut de Touraine. I’ve been waiting so long for this trip, and suddenly I am at the cusp. I can’t believe the moment has finally arrived....
Am I Homesick or Just Hot?
I missed very few things as much as I missed this cat. If I could have taken him with me, I would have never left the UK. I’ve been back in the states for almost a week now, and every day I find myself forgetting that I am not, in fact, still in England. I didn’t think I’d miss it quite as much as I do, and I miss very specific things. The things I am very thankful to have back are 1)my cat and 2) air conditioning....
Advice for Future Students
The main piece of advice I would give students is to take full advantage of your study abroad experience. Take a step outside of your comfort zone and do things you would not normally do. Experience the local culture by immersing yourself completely. This means trying foods that you normally would not and talking to new people. During my trip, I worked on a team with people from Cyprus and Iran. I was able to learn so much about their...