Study Abroad and Domestic Study Away

Bonjour, c’est Victoria Rowland Garrido, updating you on my second semester in Aix-en-Provence, France.

This semester has seen lots of changes come as my friends from last semester returned home while I stayed. Part of my life has always been coping with the ‘goodbye but hope to see you later’ moments. It’s heavy when you don’t know the next time you’ll see them again but it tends to be a small world at times and there’s always a reason to cross paths again!

This semester the ERASMUS group of students is a much tighter group now that we can all have more bonding experiences with others we didn’t know previously.

Participating in the French educational system here is vastly distinct from what is seen back in the U.S. university system. After preparing to take courses in French last semester, some of my courses this semester includes French in contact: variations and creolization’s, Comprehending and debating the construction of the European Union, and Francophone literature. These courses all in French are one of the many ways I’ve been advancing my linguistic skills. It’s been rewarding challenging myself taking these French courses at a university level amongst other local French students.

One of my favorite moments this semester would have to be going to the calanques most weekends with my friends especially on my birthday when 2 of my close friends from Germany last semester drove all the way here to come visit me!

Thanks to the Ingrid H. and George L. Speros Scholarship, I have accomplished many of my aspirations. I am proud and honored to have been the chosen recipient of this award.