I think it’s fair to say that I am having more fun or at least as much fun than anyone from back home or at school. Nothing I’ve done before this could possibly compare to it.
Last Sunday, I flew from MSP to ORD (Chicago). Then my overseas flight was from ORD to LHR (London Heathrow). With my AIFS (American Institute for Foreign Study) group, we spent two days in London being tourists and enjoying the city. The first day, we kind of took it easy and just explored some spots around the hotel. I had my first fish and chips and bought my first legal beer (and second, third, etc.). It was great to get to know the other people in my group a little bit and adjust to the time change (London is 6 hours ahead of CST). I went walked in Hyde Park in the evening; reminded me a lot of Central Park in NY. On the second day there, we had our own tour guide and bus to show us around. Among the sites were Buckingham Palace, the Westminster Abbey, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Big Ben, and the London Eye and more. At night, we went out to the bars after a motivational speech from my friend Cassie to get us to go out despite our early departure the following morning. It turns out she is smart. Everyone had a blast!
On Wednesday, we left the hotel (The Regency Hotel, very nice) at 6:15 AM sharp for the airport. We waited in the terminal for a while, but our flight from LHR to NCE (Nice, France) left soon enough. Once in Nice, we collected our bags and were greeted by our program resident director Sandrine, along with beautiful weather and palm trees. From Nice, a bus transported us to Cannes, which is about 45 minutes away. When we arrived at campus, we dropped off our bags and Sandrine took us directly to the terrace to show us that they weren’t lying when they told us that we are actually right across the street from the beach.
After learning a bit more about the school and campus, I went to the beach with a few friends and swam in the Mediterranean Sea for the first time. The water is very warm here. Not quite as warm as the lake water back home, but I’m certainly not complaining. At night we had dinner, got unpacked, and settled in.
On Thursday, we had our placement test, went to the beach, and then had an orientation meeting with Sandrine and some of the faculty at Le Collège International de Cannes. After the meeting, we had a welcome drink which was a nice introduction to the beauty of French wine. At night, we went to a place nicknamed Stations (because it is across from the train station). It is a karaoke bar, very fun.
On Friday, classes began for us. Each day (M-F, that is), we have French class from 9-12. Our seminar classes will begin in about a month. Class is very fun, but very difficult. With students at Le Collège from all of the world, the only way to teach is in all French, because not everyone knows English as well. I anticipate that I will pick up the language quickly, but it is frustrating not understand what people are always saying. At night, I decided to take a night off to get some good rest and skype my family and a few friends.
Saturday was a blast! I couldn’t imagine a better first weekend. I’ve become friends with some of the other Minnesotans who go to SJU/CSB, so it is nice to have other people who can relate to my home. Anyways, I went with them into town to do some shopping, which can be dangerous here because there is a lot of great stuff. The problem is that everything costs money—who knew?! After shopping, I played ping pong with my friend Evans and then lifted and used the beach with him and another buddy. After dinner, my group, the SJU/CSB group, and some of the international kids all went out together. We went to Stations again, and it was incredibly fun. The night life here is amazing, but it can be expensive to so I have been trying to watch my spending.
In essence, “I think it’s fair to say” that I’m having more fun or at least as much fun than anyone from home or school because: 1) I live across the street from the beach with palm trees right outside my window. 2) The weather here is perfect everyday. It is always sunny and warm, not humid, but with a nice breeze. The weather for the next week is predicted to be all sun everyday, not even partly cloudy or mostly sunny..all sun! 3) The night life here is incredible. Everyone is so much fun, and the French people here are nothing like the poor stereotype Americans give them. 4) The expensive French wine and cheese back home is not expensive here. There is no import tax. 5) Did I mention anything about the weather?
Before I head to the beach, I just want to say to all my family and friends from back home that I miss you all, can’t wait to see you in a few months, some people sooner! Everyone is welcome to visit! You won’t regret it. And I will be posting pictures on Facebook as often as possible so feel free to check them out. Look for blogs on here regularly. Now that I am settled in, I hope to keep a log of my life here as best as possible.
Au revoir et à bientôt,
Ryan