Le plus grand faible des hommes, c'est l'amour qu'ils ont de la vie.

Three weeks.

In less than three weeks, I will be on a plane headed for Paris, France. When I first had the spark of interest in someday studying abroad, I never assumed it to be possible. Over a year and a half ago I was in a Spanish class, scared speechless that I had made the wrong decision on what language to take. Having been in French two years in High School, making the switch was easy to do, and I quickly fell in love again with the French language.

Now, after countless forms and dozens of important decisions, I am sitting here, writing this first blog in preparation for one of the most exciting and challenging experiences in my life. Having visited Paris twice before, I know what to expect in the slightest sense, but living in the city of light for four months is going to blow my tourist expectations out of the water.

Let me explain my semester a little better for those who don't know:

I will land in Paris on February 14th, (yes, valentine's day. Just my luck.) and have a week of tourist attractions and the chance to get used to the metro lines and living arrangement. After that week of adjustment, regular school hours begin. I am going to be attending the Catholic University of Paris, (Institut Catholique de Paris) which is located in the heart of Paris, just around the bend from Notre Dame. I will be in school until June, and will depart back for the States on the 18th of June. Within that semester, several school excursions are scheduled, such as a trip to the Loire Valley and Normandy. A two week spring break will also take place halfway through the semester, where my ultimate goal is to travel to Ireland and possibly a couple other locations.

On the note of goals, I am going to write out my main goals for the next four months, so as to be able to look back and reflect when this is all over and done.

Goals of the Spring 2010 Paris semester:

1. Develop a strong ability to converse and understand spoken French.
2. Decipher differences of cultures with a strong appreciation.
3. Learn to live in the moment more often.
4. Discover the heart of Paris.
5. Have adventure be a part of my everyday living.
6. Pretend to be a Parisian to a group of American tourists. Ha!

I know most of those goals are generic, but I think they ring true to most students living in a different country.

This past month has been all about working as much as possible, in order that I won't go completely bankrupt while abroad. It has been difficult to go a day without daydreaming about what my semester is going to be like. I have nothing but high expectations and excitement for the next four months. I hope that this blog will be a great window into my life for anyone wanting to know more about my experience!

Affectueusement,

George.