The Beginning of the Beginning (and other B's)

Going abroad is not as easy as they made it sound when I first got to Tufts. There are applications, application fees, permission to study abroad forms, leave of absence forms, and transfer of credit forms to name a couple of the initial hurdles. But Tufts made it a cake walk compared to the French government. First CampusFrance, then the consulate...let's just say it wasn't easy. For those of you've spoken to me in the last couple weeks, getting my a visa was a process riddled with problems. Fortunately, it came in the mail on Monday. I got my host family and my host roommate, and IES (my study abroad program) has provided me with their "Welcome Packet." The real challenge now is in pack ing- no easy feat - and emotionally preparing - an even harder task (not to mention pick my boots up from the cobbler, call the bank, activate my phone service and a whole host of other "small" tasks). All together, I'm a both nervous and excited to get this show on the road! My flight leaves Sunday, so that's when the actual abroad portion will begin. It's very bizarre that the mythical study abroad is almost here. I've been talking about it for years now and well, here it is. I feel unprepared and overwhelmed (especially coming out of the best semester of college), but I understand this is normal.

I thought it might be nice for those of you in the US to read up on what I'm doing in Paris (I'm sure I'll be far too busy, important, and French to talk to any of you). In any event, it'll be good to at least have some sort of record of what I did for four months while I'm in Paris. Baguettes, Berets, and Bonjour are three of the time honored cliche versions about Paris - just as studying abroad in Paris is a cliche on it's own. All of this may be true, but I hope I'll get to know the city beyond just the cliches. Whatever ends up happening, I'm sure it will be a big adventure.

Au Revoir for now!