It's really almost here

T minus 4 days until I embark on my journey to France! I will be spending the Fall semester studying in Nantes. I am going through a program called IES (iesabroad.org ... if you are interested in more info.) IES has a strict No English policy which will no doubt be challenging at times, but I am really looking forward to the challenge and am excited to see how my language skills develop throughout the semester. Most of my classes will be taken at the IES building with other IES study abroad students (almost all Americans) but I also have the opportunity to enroll at one or two courses at the University of Nantes with French students. I'm staying with a host family while there- this was one of my necessary criteria in choosing a study abroad program. I don't know too much about them yet except for their name (Olivier) and address and that it is a couple and 5 kids! As you may know, I'm a fan of large families and am super excited to meet the Olivier family and learn more about the French through them.

I will arrive in France early the morning of Sept. 1st, spend the first night at my host home, and then hop straight into a 10 day language and culture intensive orientation. The first 3 or 4 days of it we get to spend in Normandy and then we'll return and get acquainted with Nantes the following week.

Thanks so much to all of you profs, family members, and friends for the recommendation letters, conversations, advice, prayers and every other way you have supported me in the months spent applying and preparing for this. You are truly appreciated.

Well, until I write again from France.. A bientot : )