Did you know that the word appetizer supposedly comes from the phrase "appetite teaser?" That has nothing to do with this post... although I could be deep and say this will be a little taste for you who decide to follow me during this amazing experience, but the only reason I had that word in mind is because I really want some mozzarella sticks. Anyway, I'm going to start with the whole preparing for the trip because that in itself was quite an experience.
In the beginning...
(See? It's gonna be good!)
I have always known I wanted to study abroad. When Ashley told me she was going to come to Vichy last year, I was so excited for her, and I was also jealous that she and Kaitlyn would have that amazing experience which I had always wanted. Then I got to thinking, Why can't I do it?
I started making mental notes of the pros and cons to studying abroad. I wouldn't see my parents or my sisters, but there are definitely ways to communicate with each other. I'd have to postpone graduation, but that wasn't so bad because I still have some classes to take. I wouldn't see my friends for four months, but I thought about how many new people I would meet. I wouldn't get to see my Chispita for four months, but that little dog has all the pampering she could ever get from my family.
What would my dad do without me at the restaurant? Well, Paola is old enough to start helping out now. What would I eat in France? It would be an opportunity to try out new recipes that I would have never tried at home. Eventually, the pros outweighed the cons, and I decided to take the chance. I'll admit that when Ashley told me she had decided not to stay in Vichy, I freaked out a little and procrastinated on my applications (including the visa, but more on that later). I was going to be in Vichy... by myself?!?!?! How??? I had never been away from home for more than a week! How was I going to come to Europe on my own, not knowing anyone, and survive? It was a scary thought that kept me awake for days. In the end, I decided to just go for it. It had to happen one day, so why not go all out? I submitted my applications, all the while worrying that something would go wrong with them, secretly hoping there would be something to hold me back because HOW WAS I GOING TO DO THIS ALONE? (Mámi and Pápi would be on the other side of the world!)
To apply for the visa, I went to the French consulate in Atlanta with my dad. It was pretty much just me going to turn in some papers, getting my fingerprints scanned and taking a picture; nothing too big. I met a really nice girl from South Carolina, who was going to Grenoble, while I was waiting. (How far is Grenoble from Vichy?) Then, Dad and I drove home after stopping by Auburn to take care of some things for Melissa. I thought for sure that the visa would take weeks to get back to me, but apparently, I applied during the off-season because I received it so soon after my consulate appointment! The trip felt much more genuine when I got the visa back in the mail. I was officially on my way to a semester in France! I bought the airplane ticket soon after (thank you, scholarship) for the 28th of January. I had so much to do, and very little time to do it. I bought vitamins and medicine for the pesky cough I had developed during the week, but I bought no new clothes because I knew that my suitcase was going to be heavy enough with the ones I had packed two weeks before (yes, I might have been a little overeager). Sooner than I knew it, the 28th arrived, and Dad drove me to Huntsville to start my long day of flying. Huntsville, Dallas/Fort Worth, New York and finally... PARIS.
In the beginning...
(See? It's gonna be good!)
I have always known I wanted to study abroad. When Ashley told me she was going to come to Vichy last year, I was so excited for her, and I was also jealous that she and Kaitlyn would have that amazing experience which I had always wanted. Then I got to thinking, Why can't I do it?
I started making mental notes of the pros and cons to studying abroad. I wouldn't see my parents or my sisters, but there are definitely ways to communicate with each other. I'd have to postpone graduation, but that wasn't so bad because I still have some classes to take. I wouldn't see my friends for four months, but I thought about how many new people I would meet. I wouldn't get to see my Chispita for four months, but that little dog has all the pampering she could ever get from my family.
Bye, my Chippy!
What would my dad do without me at the restaurant? Well, Paola is old enough to start helping out now. What would I eat in France? It would be an opportunity to try out new recipes that I would have never tried at home. Eventually, the pros outweighed the cons, and I decided to take the chance. I'll admit that when Ashley told me she had decided not to stay in Vichy, I freaked out a little and procrastinated on my applications (including the visa, but more on that later). I was going to be in Vichy... by myself?!?!?! How??? I had never been away from home for more than a week! How was I going to come to Europe on my own, not knowing anyone, and survive? It was a scary thought that kept me awake for days. In the end, I decided to just go for it. It had to happen one day, so why not go all out? I submitted my applications, all the while worrying that something would go wrong with them, secretly hoping there would be something to hold me back because HOW WAS I GOING TO DO THIS ALONE? (Mámi and Pápi would be on the other side of the world!)
To apply for the visa, I went to the French consulate in Atlanta with my dad. It was pretty much just me going to turn in some papers, getting my fingerprints scanned and taking a picture; nothing too big. I met a really nice girl from South Carolina, who was going to Grenoble, while I was waiting. (How far is Grenoble from Vichy?) Then, Dad and I drove home after stopping by Auburn to take care of some things for Melissa. I thought for sure that the visa would take weeks to get back to me, but apparently, I applied during the off-season because I received it so soon after my consulate appointment! The trip felt much more genuine when I got the visa back in the mail. I was officially on my way to a semester in France! I bought the airplane ticket soon after (thank you, scholarship) for the 28th of January. I had so much to do, and very little time to do it. I bought vitamins and medicine for the pesky cough I had developed during the week, but I bought no new clothes because I knew that my suitcase was going to be heavy enough with the ones I had packed two weeks before (yes, I might have been a little overeager). Sooner than I knew it, the 28th arrived, and Dad drove me to Huntsville to start my long day of flying. Huntsville, Dallas/Fort Worth, New York and finally... PARIS.
Nice to see you again, Notre Dame.
I spent part of the night walking around Île de la Cité, then I went back to my hotel, which was conveniently located next to the Gare de Bercy from where I left the next afternoon to come to Vichy. After I got my giant suitcase situated, I slept most of the way from Paris. I got off at the small station in Vichy, and it finally hit me: I was in France... for four months...! Vincent, a student here at Blaise-Paschal, met me at the station and figured out from my luggage that I was the new kid. He brought me to my new home, Résidence Claudius Petit, and gave me my room key. Vincent left to pick up another student who was arriving, and I stayed to catch up a little with Coddy, who immediately introduced me to the Mexicans. Then, I started to unpack, but with no hangers in the closet, everything ended up piled on the shelves. Vincent came back with Chloe, who is from Kansas City, and we went to get some groceries with Megan and Coddy. We explored a small part of Vichy, which is such a cute little town by the way. Later on, since it was Friday night, we got invited to go dancing. We met many of the other people in the exchange program; it was a fun night! All in all, my first day in Vichy went well. Here's to the rest of the semester!
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