Ohh shiny! A Blog!

Thank you for stumbling upon this new creation of mine. For those of you not familiar with me, some quick details and background to make this easier if you choose to read it.

My name is Alexa.
I am a 21 year old female from Bucks County, Pennsylvania.
I am studying abroad in France for the Spring 2011 semester.
I really love Harry Potter.


Ok, I think that covers everything relevant. Enjoy!

P.S. If you're wondering where the title of this blog comes from, it's from my favorite poem entitled "Aristotle" by Billy Collins. You can find it at the bottom of the page.

Friday, January 7, 2011

It's like TDR, except, ya know, French

I am officially in France! It was a disaster trying to get my visa, it was a disaster trying to get to Nice, it was a disaster trying to find our apartment. But in the end, everything worked out ok. I got my visa after hunting it down and calling in favors, Marissa and I successfully navigated the Charles de Gaulle airport, and our apartment does EXIST and it's actually really adorable. I will upload pictures whenever I have the chance. 

Right now I'm in the cafeteria with Marissa, Jesse, and Chris (who all go to AU. Chris is the only non-AKPsi person, but he's still pretty cool). Unfortunately though I'm super nauseous. Surprise, surprise for those who know me. I've been popping pepto like candies and I ate some bread, but I'm just hoping not to be that girl who ralphed day one. 

Today we got oriented. I got my schedule (which I'm going to change because I'm not taking 18 credits) and it seems that I will also have 4 day weekends!!! Lots of travel in my future. Not before I get my resident permit though? It's France I guess, there's always more paperwork. My schedule seems pretty good though, I'm going to have to get up early but it'll be OK. All the classes are in "block" format so their only once a week. Also, a 90 is considered an A here :)

Tonight there is a party at a bar, we all get to have "buddies", it should be interesting. Next weekend there is a ski trip, the "AU" group is considering going.

Fun fact about this program, almost everyone else here was organized through a separate program that took care of all of their paperwork for them, including housing, internet, visas, etc. Which makes me kind of hate AU a little more for putting me through all of this crap for the sake of "being better prepared for the real world" or whatever excuse they were giving for their complete incompetence. 

I'm looking forward to doing fun things and posting fun pictures! I love being able to talk to people here in French, it makes it seems like the things I learn in school have an actual, practical application. WOO!

A bientot,
Alexa

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