Déjà vu ?

Four years ago, I had just arrived in France for my first semester abroad. I was a junior in college, and this was my first time out of the US. I remember being nervous about meeting all new people, about living with a French host family, and especially about my shaky French skills. This time around, thankfully, I have a lot more confidence, I am not shy anymore (people who know me now would never guess how shy I used to be!), and although I do not have native fluency, I know that I have a good accent and that I can have a conversation about most anything with a French person. I am not at all nervous, just excited and thankful. 

The Seine River, Paris -- I get to see this in 12 days!

This time, I am prepared. Prepared to be super outgoing and meet people and join clubs. Prepared to not understand everything the French say, but to be able to get the gist of the conversation. And as prepared as I can be for the homesickness that I know will come no matter how much I love France. My time in France in 2008 was amazing, but I remember throughout it all, there was a sick feeling in the pit of my stomach, longing for “home”.  I missed my family most of all – my parents and sister in Arkansas and my aunt, uncle & cousin in California, but I also missed some modern conveniences – bathrooms in the grocery store, stores open 24/7, airlines that weren’t ryanair (ughhhhh), even the freedom that driving gives you (although I hate driving in general). This time I'm older, wiser, and more independent.

Me, Older and Wiser in 2012! ;)

Three and a half years ago, I spent the 2^nd semester of my junior year in Salamanca, Spain…next year I hope to apply for the Teach in Spain program! One of the best things about the study abroad program (IES) was that we would take trips together. Hopefully I will make friends who want to travel during our breaks! 

Traveling with friends in Granada, Spain, 2009

My cousin is coming to visit during Christmas break, during which time we will visit Montpellier, Paris, Dublin, and London!!

Streets of Dublin, Ireland

 Another awesome aspect of studying abroad was the opportunity to live with a host family. I lucked out and got awesome families in both Paris and Salamanca. Although I won't be living with a host family, I will be living in the dorms of the school, and one of the English teachers at the school emailed me yesterday to say that the students who live in my hallway are super excited to have an American neighbor! Things are looking pretty amazing!

My Spanish host family on my host dad's birthday!