This week has been my first week back in Aix since I studied abroad here two years ago (Spring 2011). I am absolutely overjoyed to be back in this city again, and my experiences this summer thus far have not disappointed. My first day here, my host mom (the same one I lived with the last time) picked me up from the airport, and it was great to have a familiar face waiting for me on the other side of the baggage claim doors! That night, I met a couple students that are also IAU students as well as some French students and we went out for drinks. It was so nice to be able to meet new and local people so quickly, I felt so welcomed by the 6-week students as well as the French students despite the language barrier! The next day, my third housemate had finally arrived and my host mom took us to an adorable little beach about an hour outside of Aix. First, we went to the market in this little town, and then we laid on the beach for a few hours to enjoy the Mediterranean sun, it was absolutely beautiful! The other best and most interesting part about this beach was that it had sand instead of the stones and pebbles that I’ve found everywhere else I’ve been on the French Riviera.
My class so far has been really great; I have the same professor that I had the last time (Margaux), so it was nice to have that familiar face on the first day as well. All of the staff that I had met before while I was studying at IAU the first time has been so welcoming, it’s been so great. We’ve been doing some grammar lessons in French class, and it hasn’t been going so well for me. I realized rather quickly that my French is sufficient to get me around a city and have small conversations with people, but after taking a year and a half hiatus, I do have problems with some of the grammatical skills. I’m sure I’ll get there though, and what better place to learn, right? Today for class we took a field trip to Marseille to visit the Mediterranean Culture museum that just opened three weeks ago as part of the Marseille Provence Capital of Culture 2013 festival. The building was outrageously beautiful, and it was right in and on the old port, so we spent some time outside conversing and enjoying the views and the weather. Inside held a lot of interesting artifacts and art, so I’m really glad that I got a chance to go. I think (if I understood the French correctly!) that next week we’re going to take a trip to an island off the coast of Marseille for class, I’m VERY excited about this!
This weekend, I’m taking a trip to Paris with my friend Mike, and we’ll be meeting up with some other IAU students while we’re there to see the Louvre and other sites in the city. The last time I went to Paris was in February and I was only there for 1 ½ very cold days, so I’m excited to see the city in the summertime! I can’t believe that I’m finishing up my first week here already and I only have 2 weeks left, it’s crazy how time flies when you’re living in paradise <3
My class so far has been really great; I have the same professor that I had the last time (Margaux), so it was nice to have that familiar face on the first day as well. All of the staff that I had met before while I was studying at IAU the first time has been so welcoming, it’s been so great. We’ve been doing some grammar lessons in French class, and it hasn’t been going so well for me. I realized rather quickly that my French is sufficient to get me around a city and have small conversations with people, but after taking a year and a half hiatus, I do have problems with some of the grammatical skills. I’m sure I’ll get there though, and what better place to learn, right? Today for class we took a field trip to Marseille to visit the Mediterranean Culture museum that just opened three weeks ago as part of the Marseille Provence Capital of Culture 2013 festival. The building was outrageously beautiful, and it was right in and on the old port, so we spent some time outside conversing and enjoying the views and the weather. Inside held a lot of interesting artifacts and art, so I’m really glad that I got a chance to go. I think (if I understood the French correctly!) that next week we’re going to take a trip to an island off the coast of Marseille for class, I’m VERY excited about this!
This weekend, I’m taking a trip to Paris with my friend Mike, and we’ll be meeting up with some other IAU students while we’re there to see the Louvre and other sites in the city. The last time I went to Paris was in February and I was only there for 1 ½ very cold days, so I’m excited to see the city in the summertime! I can’t believe that I’m finishing up my first week here already and I only have 2 weeks left, it’s crazy how time flies when you’re living in paradise <3