Rosslyn – France
March 13, 2024
Hello! It has almost been 3 months since I arrived in France. It is so crazy to think that I am already almost done. I just got done with my Spring Break and midterms, so my classes are gearing up for final exams! My midterms were so different than back at ECU. It almost feels like traveling back in time, everything is done on paper and teachers barely use ‘celene’ (it’s like canvas but you have to enroll yourself in classes). I am trying to put the study in study abroad by making sure that I am prepped for class and studying a little bit every day. Also, we are starting to have warmer days (by that I mean the 50s and low 60s of Fahrenheit), still not a lot of Sun like I am used to but that good weather is coming!
My friends and I at Château Macaroon Azay le-Rideau
Eiffel Tower at night
My first French Macaroon
Since my last blog post, I have been to Bordeaux, Spain, Paris, and Italy! Each trip was so much fun, I got to explore and see so many different cities. My friends and I love to try new foods, drinks, and activities when we visit somewhere. In Spain, I was able to try authentic Paella and walk along a beach. In Italy, I got to see the Colosseum, Pompeii (it’s free for women on International Women’s Day), and so many sights in between. Visiting the Vatican City was so surreal, the amount of history and art that they have accumulated is just crazy. I spent 3 ½ hours in the Vatican Museum/Sistine Chapel and I still only saw half of the art. Traveling through Europe is just like traveling between US states most of the time, I have only had to do passport control once between Italy and France.
Fountain in Bordeaux
My friend and I at the hostel in Bordeaux!
Me in a château fireplace
As my time is halfway through, I’ve been planning trips with my friends to go on and dealing with a bit of homesickness at the same time. I need a McDonald’s frozen Coke right now, that is first on the list of things I do when I get back! If I listen to country music, it can either help me or make me feel even more homesick. I would say that through this experience, I have become so grateful for my life in the United States and my support system. Studying abroad helps you put your life into perspective and see what you are doing, right or wrong. I have been planning out my next semester, which is so soon it’s crazy, and it has been so easy to talk with my advisor. I totally recommend meeting with your advisor at least once every semester to make sure you are on the right track, it’s so helpful. I looked forward to having my family come to visit me in a couple of weeks!
Me in Barcelona
My Paella dish
Rome Colosseum
I finish my courses and exams the week of April 15th! That feels so soon, just yesterday we started. I plan to travel around a little bit before my flight back. I am not sure where I am going but I am happy to have a little extra time with my exchange friends before we all go back home. It is great to have a group of people who also know the struggles and triumphs of studying abroad. I am glad that I took this opportunity, and I am grateful for all of the wonderful people supporting me along the way!
Paintings in the Vatican
Views in Pompeii
A pretty Italian view
-Roz
January 22, 2024
Bonjour! I have officially been in Tours for two weeks, and so much has happened in just these two weeks! First, I left the RDU airport with my dad to catch our layover flight in Iceland. My flight out of RDU did not leave on time causing a bit of stress because we had a 55-minute layover in Iceland. Once we left RDU, we realized that our flight was not going to make up time and we would have 20 minutes to make it to our flight. When we landed in the KEF airport, and Iceland air had already switched our flights to a later plane so that we didn’t have to rush. We still went pretty fast just in case and due to Iceland being in the European Union, we did passport control there. I will say that, that was so much faster than I thought it would be! It was so cold and windy in Iceland and the sun doesn’t rise until 11am so it was just snowy and dark. But we got on our flight and made it to CDG airport, outside of Paris just in time to get my checked bag! Fly Iceland air!!
Iceland Air seat
CDG train station
Gare de Tours
Once we got to CDG airport it was still an hour and a half away from Tours, France. We went down to the train station and bought tickets that would take us directly to Tours. The Gare de Tours (Tours train station) was so gorgeous and bigger than I expected. By the time we got to Tours it was nighttime and a Sunday, so there were not too many options on what to eat. The student housing (called CROUS) is not open on the weekends, so you can only check into your room on the weekdays. When you go to pick up your keys at least make sure that you have most of your things in order. They are very patient and understanding! You will need a French guarantor (VISALE program), renters insurance, civil liability insurance, and completed dossier form. If you don’t have everything you need they can still give you the keys just complete it fast!
Charcuterie Board
View from my room
They put eggs on everything
I had my meeting with the international relations office and discovered that there was a walking tour of Tours for international students that afternoon. It was so cold, but I wanted to meet people, so I decided to go. The best decision ever! It was a beautiful tour around town, and I got to meet so many people from so many backgrounds and countries. Our tour was given in 100% French, so it was amazing to practice my listening skills. After we did our walk, all of us decided to get dinner together to talk more (it was 18 of us). We made a group chat and continued to talk, it was so much fun learning about other people’s experiences and backgrounds. We continued to all hang out and meet up, even for the exchange student meeting on that Friday. Different speakers came to talk to us about different clubs and programs, there are so many things that just the school offers!
Caramel pudding dessert
Tacos with friends!
Tours Cathedral
Next, the first week of classes! Now this was majorly confusing because you have to email your coordinator to get your schedule. It is not a set schedule, just a list of times that each class has for you to pick from (this can get confusing). The first three weeks of classes is for us to try them out and see if they’re right for us. For example, I thought I signed up for a French grammar class but when I showed up it was English grammar! I did learn that the singular form of lice is louse though, so very interesting. If you need to change around classes that’s okay, just talk with your Tours coordinator and with ECU. They are there to help! Overall, the classes are less homework based and more study based. That is very different from what I am used to, so it is weird not having direct and clear homework. I do not have classes on Fridays and only one class on Thursday, so I am able to have long weekends.
Tours Cathedral
Tours Chateau Exhibit
With friends
One of the friends I made actually happened to have her birthday our first weekend all together. So we decided to sign up for the YEPS program (free/reduced train tickets for students in France on the weekends) and travel to Amboise! This is the home of Leonardo da Vinci’s house that you can walk through and it is only a half hour by train combined with a half hour walk. The train ride there was only 2 euros and the train ride back was free! It was so gorgeous being able to see where such a historic figure lived and created. I definitely recommend the city of Amboise and Leonardo da Vinci’s house. This upcoming week is my second week of classes and a planned chateau visit through the University of Tours International Office (10 euros for transportation and chateau ticket)! Tours is a beautiful place and a great location.
More to come!
-Rosslyn
City of Amboise
Leonardo da Vinci’s house
Da Vinci’s workstation
Da Vinci’s Sketchbook
Meal in Amboise
January 4, 2024
Hello, my name is Rosslyn and I am currently a sophomore at ECU! I am studying International Business with a minor in French. I will attend the University of Tours in France about two hours Southwest of Paris. I am very excited to study French and learn as much as I can during my semester abroad.
Currently, I have never left the country before and this will be my first time. I was kind of nervous at first but as it gets closer, I am getting more excited to go. There are many steps in order to study abroad, especially in France. First, you have to apply through ECU then you have to apply through the University of Tours. Next, you have to apply for a student visa in Atlanta. Lastly, you have to make sure that your housing is taken care of and setting up your classes. I found that even though they were challenging, it just made me want to go more.
I am signed up to take French language learning courses that will go towards my French minor. I chose this program because it was very good for French language immersion. It has been my dream to study abroad in France since I was 12 years old. So I am very excited that I get to go and experience France as a student.
I will be leaving in the next few days to fly to France so I am trying to pack all of the essentials. I decided that I will be packing all of my stuff in one checked bag and one carry-on bag for 4 ½ months. I chose to fly over with Iceland Air so there are all these cool menu options like fish sandwiches and reindeer. I don’t know if I could eat reindeer, but I’ve been told that it tastes like sausage.
Lately, I have been running around trying to say goodbye to friends and family before I go. They are sad to see me go, but excited for all of the stories and gifts I will bring back! I’ll update y’all once I make it to France and go through the welcome week.
–Rosslyn Koch