Author: Charlotte Oddi

I have almost been studying abroad in France now for about a month (it will be a month on the 27), and I have to say being in France rocks! I arrived in Paris on the 27^th of August completely jet lagged but excited! Funniest thing happened on my flight from Chicago to Paris, I got upgraded to first class for no reason! United Airlines you are my favorite! So back to Paris, I arrived 9am their time, 1am my time. At the airport, I ended up meeting all of the other exchange students from Greenheart Travel and WEP (which is the representatives over in France.) There was in total I think eighty students heading to France from three months to 10 months.

It was so cool seeing all of the different countries in one place. There were kids from Germany, Mexico, Hungary, Brazil, United States and one other Canadian!  There was probably 30 students from Australia, and we hit it off from the start. Paris was a blast. We were there for four days and we got to see all the famous landmarks like the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre Museum, Notre-Dame and the Champs Elysee. I think the best part of Paris was getting to know all of the different exchange students, because we all had common interests and really we all got along super well! It was tough saying good-bye the day we left for our host families.

I got to take a train from Paris to Toulouse which was awesome. I had never been on a train before, and there I was heading to the South of France. The train ride was five and a half hours long which was a great time to take a nap! There were four other students on my train and I lucky got to tag along with a guy from the States who helped me with my bags and really helped me get off the train. One thing I think I should clarify in my last post I had said that I did well packing light, which I did pack super light, compared to some students. The thing was, the wheel on my suitcase broke when I got to Paris, so I basically had to drag that thing everywhere I went. Not super fun to do!

When I got off the train, I started walking towards the train station and probably after two minutes of me trying to drag my suitcase towards the station, I saw a couple rush past and say my seat number. I turned around and was like ummm Mr and Mrs Boiteux? Sure enough it was my host parents! We live about an hour and a half from Toulouse which isn’t very far. That night I got to meet all of my other family which was great! The first few weeks here have been a blur but everything is going so well!

I don’t think I could have been with a better family. They are funny like my family and it’s so busy here that it’s like I’m back in Saskatoon! Last weekend my family and I went to the sea which is just beautiful! This weekend we are going to Spain! The only way to describe France is that it’s beautiful and the mountains where I live, it’s fantastic! We walk a lot where I live which is something I love. If you are considering maybe going on an exchange anywhere I suggest you do it, because it’s an opportunity of a lifetime and you can meet the best people.

Until next time, Olivia

Today is the beginning of a big adventure in my life. My name is Olivia Carr and I am currently sitting in the Chicago airport waiting to depart to France to study abroad for five months.

In January of this year I had begun searching for exchange programs. My parents can tell you that my future dream job would be anything that allows me to travel. I have been blessed, to say the least, throughout my life. My parents are incredibly loving and have always supported me with whatever I set my mind to. The idea of going abroad my senior year was something I never thought I would have ever done. Don’t get me wrong, travelling was something I loved and the idea of going to France to learn the culture was my dream but actually doing something about it, I never would have guessed that I would have followed through. By the beginning of March I had finally finished all of the paperwork for my application form. I remember getting my acceptance email, I was visiting my brother and sister-in-law for a few days. I still can’t believe I got accepted to partake on such an exciting adventure!

I think going to France is going to be a different experience without my family around me the whole time. You see, my family is super close knit and I have never really been away from them. I have two older brothers and I have 4 younger sisters. Saying goodbye to them this morning at the Saskatoon airport was one of the hardest things I’ve had to do, but I think I have finally realized that as scary or as nervous as I am about being away from them for so long, I will see them again. Leaving on this trip has already taught me more about myself. For instance, I can be a light packer when I need to be! I’ve also learned that customs really is not all that terrifying and I had nothing to be worried about!

My last few days at home were filled with happiness and laughter. My closest friends came over the night before I left to say bye and joke around. I have a few really close friends back home and it meant a lot to me that they came to wish me well before I left. Two of my good friends made me a photo album for when I was missing home and another one of my friends wrote me a really kind letter. During those last few days in Saskatoon I think I finally learned how to balance friends and family. My sister has already moved into my room in Saskatoon and has proceeded to make it her own while I’m gone!

These next five months will come with many challenges for me and many celebrations and I can honestly say I can’t wait for any of it.

“Perhaps this is the moment for which you have been created” (Esther 4,14) Thanks Dale! 😉