My friends and I have been joking since we first arrived in Aix that the “study” in study abroad is silent. However, as we move into the season of midterms we are having the unfortunate realization that we are, in fact, here to study.
However, the threat of exams and projects have not been able to deter us from a weekend trip. I am finally going to take the obligatory journey to Paris next weekend, which I am incredibly excited for. I can’t wait to experience the incredible city, which I have recently learned is one of the most visited cities in the world!
This past weekend, I explored a new neighboring city around Aix. I visited Saint-Remy-en-Provence, which is the city Van Gogh painted in The Starry Night!
I had no idea it was so close by, until a classmate made a passing comment about it. I decided I had to go then, and I’m really glad I did! I went with my grandparents, who were visiting me for the weekend. Having family here made me realize how much this city has become familiar to me. Just a month ago I was overwhelmed by everything I didn’t know or understand. But now I heard myself teaching them how to navigate the bus system and recommending the best bakeries in town.
It’s crazy how much has changed in just a few weeks.
This also has been a week of noticing the amount of progress I have made in my French. It is easy to feel discouraged when you are surrounded by native speakers who speak fluently (and are not afraid to correct you in a way that feels harsh, but is well-intentioned.)
However, this past week I have really noticed myself navigating the language in a way I never could have before. My French is far from perfect, but I am celebrating the little wins, like learning how to naturally place a ‘quoi’ at the end of my sentences like the French do. But don’t worry, the French language has a way of keeping me humble – like when I accidentally tipped my taxi driver 10 euro because I thought he said 16… he said 6. But, c’est la vie!
À bientôt !
Ella