I Finally Know My Schedule!!

Well  after 2 weeks of classes I have finally finalized my schedule for this semester.  I had trouble filling the last hour of class that I needed the first two weeks.  I went to one Intro to Sociology class my first week and  the professor was a crazy old guy who I could not follow at all, and it wasn't just because he was speaking in French.  Then I went to a Myths and Symbols class that was basically a Greek Mythology class which really didn't interest me at all.  Then today, after talking to my advisor here, I decided  to try and pick up another translation class, and I loved it.  It is a French-English translation class in the English department here and all of the French students are really nice and help me understand words in French and I help them improve their English phrasing a little bit.  I also have two other translation classes both my advisor, Monsieur Darmon, one is English-French and the other is French-English.  Then I have two French classes where we work on writing and speaking better in French, which means I'll have to give speeches :(.  I had to present someone else from my class already this week which meant talking in front of 20 native French speakers, it was a little nerve racking.  The teacher for this class is very nice though and he understands  that international students have a little bit of trouble in his class.  I also have a Sociolinguistics class and a literature class which are basically just note-taking classes.  And then finally I have support 3 French support classes: one that deals with grammar, one with culture, and one with conversation.  So I have a lot of classes but I should be able to handle it :).

Castle Seeing

This past weekend I had the amazing experience of visiting two Renaissance castles and also the former home of Leonardo da Vinci. The two Renaissance castles I visited were Amboise and Chenonceau (above is a picture of me in front of Chenonceau). Ashley and I decided that we wanted to go on a day trip so we found a tour company that would drive us to the castles and went. It was a great experience and I fell in love with Renaissance architecture while visiting the places. I also loved all the history that is housed in these castles. Even though we had to "speed castle" because of time constraints I learned so much and saw so many beautiful things. I took over 400 pictures while visiting Tours, Amboise, and Chenonceau alone, I think that is less than how many I have taken just staying in Angers for 3 weeks. If you ever get the chance I would say you have to visit Chenonceau, it was by far my favorite :).

I'm in Angers with Internet!!!

My Residence Hall

Part of the Group

I made it safely to Angers about a week ago and it has taken that long for me to get internet on my computer. I'm very happy that I finally have internet, because it means I can now Skype people :D. It has been a crazy week, every day last week there was something to do for orientation and on top of that we had tons of paperwork to do. I've met lots of really nice people and can't wait to meet more when classes actually start next week. My room is a little on the small side, but at least I have my own bathroom and refrigerator, which is more than past students can say that stayed at Belle Beille. I can't wait to start going on trips and meeting new people and getting to know the people I already know some more throughout the semester. But here are a few pictures of Angers so far, I hope you enjoy!!!

My Residence Hall

I MADE IT!!!

Well I finally made it to France today. For the next day and a half, I am staying with the family that my younger sister stayed with when she went to France. Everything is going great, I may even go into Paris and/or the biggest mall in Europe tomorrow by myself :). I leave for Angers Tuesday morning!!!! and then I will be done with traveling for at least a week ;). Bye for now :D

Where I'm going

    

This next year I will be studying abroad in both France and Germany.  I hope all of you enjoy it while I keep you updated with what I am doing and how things are going.  I will be living in Angers, France, about an hour and a half train ride from Paris, from August 30-December 21.  And then I will live in Bremen, Germany from Mid-March till the end of July.

 Castle in Angers, France

Statue in Bremen, Germany