2- Photos de Saint Laurent

Here are my favorite pictures from the internet of Saint Laurent! I may be a little obsessed...

1- Anticipation

Wow.

I know it’s my first blog, and I probably should have something more profound to say about how I feel nearly 10 days prior to what is bound to be one of the biggest adventures of my life. But I really can’t think of a better way, as “wow” really sums up my current emotions: so excited, but at the same time, so nervous. I can’t believe that in just a short while, I’ll be leaving my home in the suburbs of Chicago, Illinois for paradise: Saint-Laurent-du-Var, France. How lucky am I?

I knew I was destined for France before I even knew how to conjugate avoir. It all started in 6th grade. At my small junior high school, not much of a French program existed. Parents probably thought it was more practical for their kids to take Spanish, so each year the number of kids enrolled in French got smaller and smaller. By the time I was in 6th grade, ready to enroll in a foreign language class, the French program had become so small that my family and I had no idea it was even offered anymore. All I knew was that both my sisters were taking French in high school, my father worked for a French company and was fluent, and that French was a gorgeous-sounding language. Oh, and that French food was delicious, of course. I also felt this strange pull toward the language, one that I couldn’t explain. So, although the school administration was not crazy about it, they allowed me to switch out of Spanish and into French. As a little junior-high schooler, I had no idea what a long-term effect my simple, quick decision would have on me later in life. I had no idea that French would become a lifelong passion. And I definitely had no idea I’d love it so much to have the guts to leave my family and live in the south of France for a month, about six years later. Now, 17 years old and a senior in high school-to-be, knowing all too well how to conjugate avoir, I have discovered so many new reasons that French is my passion, and am about to discover even more. I’m ready to explore the French world way beyond monotonous class work. I’m ready to toss aside the heavy textbook and learn instead by living in France—exploring the fascinating culture, eating and cooking French food (even if it means gaining a few pounds!), fully immersing myself in the language so I can get closer to achieving my dream: fluency in the beautiful language I have grown to love.

With the exception of all the paperwork, every aspect of my trip this July with Abbey Road is exciting to me, but really, how could it not be? If I had to choose, I would say I most look forward to having the unique opportunity to live with a home stay in Saint-Laurent-du-Var. I can't think of a more perfect setting to practice my French and to fully embrace the culture. Living with a home stay family will give me perspective on what it’s like to live in a different culture. Having daily French classes with kids who are hopefully as passionate about French as I am is also something I’m eager to do, as fluency is my ultimate goal. I’m also excited to travel and explore the region on excursions to nearby towns like Nice and Monaco; I’ve heard they’re not too shabby ☺. Although I’ve been to France before (last summer with my family for two weeks), this trip will be extremely different and more challenging in many ways. Although it's nervewrecking, heading off to a foreign country with a bunch of strangers I've only ever stalked on Facebook, I know I’ll never regret it. From the moment I step off the plane, I know I will be so glad I decided to take this risk and embark on this fantastic journey (And hopefully not too jet-lagged...) À bientôt!