Bonjour, mes amis!
After a harrowing experience that was my flight itinerary (delayed flights, missed connections, lost luggage, no sleep), I finally let out a deep sigh of relief upon arriving to my lovely new Provençal home in the south of France. The house is clean and orderly, with a kitchen laden with glass jars of spices, small blue cartons of milk, cookbooks, and bread. A small white dog, named Poppei, prances over to greet me along with his sidekick, a tiny ball of energy and fur named Chat (cat).
Most relieving of all upon this introduction is the soft, kind Marie-Dominique, my host mother. She has short blonde hair, a simple style, and very loving eyes. Her demeanor is laid back but purposeful, and she could tell that I needed a glass of water, sleep, and some clean clothes. Within minutes, that was what I got.
My room is typical French country - a white bed with floral blankets, a stately armoire which will be my closet, a pale blue chest of drawers, and an old wooden desk where my "study" abroad will take place. My favorite part is the window, flanked with blue toile curtains, which allows the sounds and sights of Aix seep into my room. Blue wooden shutters open to fresh air and squeals of delight from our child neighbors.
I have officially begun my program at l'Institute Universitaire Américain, an very old study abroad program for American undergraduates, located in the heart of Aix-en-Provence, France. My reaction to the experience so far, after only five days, is one of continual pleasant surprise and enthusiasm. I've come for the early start program, which is a language-intensive week of orientation and local excursions, and very importantly, meeting my classmates and friends for the next three and a half months.
After a harrowing experience that was my flight itinerary (delayed flights, missed connections, lost luggage, no sleep), I finally let out a deep sigh of relief upon arriving to my lovely new Provençal home in the south of France. The house is clean and orderly, with a kitchen laden with glass jars of spices, small blue cartons of milk, cookbooks, and bread. A small white dog, named Poppei, prances over to greet me along with his sidekick, a tiny ball of energy and fur named Chat (cat).
Most relieving of all upon this introduction is the soft, kind Marie-Dominique, my host mother. She has short blonde hair, a simple style, and very loving eyes. Her demeanor is laid back but purposeful, and she could tell that I needed a glass of water, sleep, and some clean clothes. Within minutes, that was what I got.
My room is typical French country - a white bed with floral blankets, a stately armoire which will be my closet, a pale blue chest of drawers, and an old wooden desk where my "study" abroad will take place. My favorite part is the window, flanked with blue toile curtains, which allows the sounds and sights of Aix seep into my room. Blue wooden shutters open to fresh air and squeals of delight from our child neighbors.
I have officially begun my program at l'Institute Universitaire Américain, an very old study abroad program for American undergraduates, located in the heart of Aix-en-Provence, France. My reaction to the experience so far, after only five days, is one of continual pleasant surprise and enthusiasm. I've come for the early start program, which is a language-intensive week of orientation and local excursions, and very importantly, meeting my classmates and friends for the next three and a half months.
Any anxieties I had before about making friends with the other IAU students have been erased; the people here are here for the same reasons I am: to enhance their studies by living in this beautiful country, traveling, improving their French, and stepping out of their comfort zone. I'm confident that the semester will do just that for each and every one of us.
A few things on our agenda have been: Wine tasting at the Château La Coste (along with a tour of the vineyard and cellar), exploring the open-air markets of downtown Aix, taking a Provençal cooking class, and seeing a glimpse of the lively and romantic night scene.
The beauty and history of this place is astounding. The building where our university is located is hundreds of years old, so I walk into a stone and marble marvel where I feel like I'm sharing thoughts with the philosophes themselves.
Fresh food is everywhere, as the marché (market) is open every day. Locals recommend buying a baguette with some fresh ham and cheese and maybe some fruit and vegetables as a way to save euros when taking your daily lunch, as well as filling your bottle with water flowing from one of the town's many fountains. How fabulously idyllic!
The beauty and history of this place is astounding. The building where our university is located is hundreds of years old, so I walk into a stone and marble marvel where I feel like I'm sharing thoughts with the philosophes themselves.
Fresh food is everywhere, as the marché (market) is open every day. Locals recommend buying a baguette with some fresh ham and cheese and maybe some fruit and vegetables as a way to save euros when taking your daily lunch, as well as filling your bottle with water flowing from one of the town's many fountains. How fabulously idyllic!
It's hard to believe all of this has happened in less than a week. I can feel my life changing day by day, and I look forward to seeing how this semester will develop me into a better person and world citizen.
That's all for now, but I'm sure I will have many more experiences and adventure to share another day.
Bisous,
Holly
That's all for now, but I'm sure I will have many more experiences and adventure to share another day.
Bisous,
Holly