Lauren McCann
Planning, August 2007:
So, I've got a few days before I'm jetting off to Avignon, South of France for the year and the realisation has just hit me - I'm leaving. I'm leaving my family, my boyfriend and my friends, that's a lot to leave behind. Obviously I'm worried but I'm also really excited (I think it has something to do with me checking the weather forecast and finding out that it is 30 degrees plus in the south of France at the minute which makes a big change to the British excuse of a summer this year). I can't wait to live in halls again as I loved it in my first year, so hopefully this year will be no different. I am not looking forward to the registration process though. I have been warned to expect chaos and stress, which is not a good combo for a person who likes things to run smoothly and gets very stressed when a little mishap arises! I'll just have to wait and see how I cope.
The first month
I can't believe how quickly these past four weeks have gone. So far I have visited Sete, a beach resort on the coast, I have been hiking and canoeing in the local area, indoor rock climbing, jet skiing, quad biking, rowing on the Rhone. The list is endless......
The registration process has finally been sorted. It takes a while but its a great relief when its all over and you can finally relax and enjoy yourself. I can't believe I do sport and receive credits for doing it! Avignon is big on sport which is perfect for me.
The halls are amongst some of the nicest in France (according to the French).
Although there are loads of English people here I have made a huge effort to meet French people. I currently have about five 'face to face' pals and thanks to these meetings i feel like I have made a huge improvement in my speaking skills (which is the main aim for me this year).
End of first semester, January 2008
Well, ive done it, ive successfully completed a semester abroad! Now all i have to do is the same again. I have spent a total of four months in France having some of the best times in my life. I have been to Monoca for a weekend with friends from ERASMUS, I went to Paris for the Rugby world cup, I went on a roadtrip to Switzerland with a group of six other Erasmus students, and have done a skydive at Pujaut, one of the biggest skydiving resorts in France with two other girls on Erasmus. Basically, to sum it up, I have had the best time of my life. For me, the year abroad has been the best part of university. I have been so lucky because of the people I am living with and the people I go to uni with. I have made friends with people from around the world and will definitely keep in touch with all of them and hopefully I will go and visit them all in the near future. I cant wait to get back to France and meet all the new incoming ERASMUS students. The best thing I have learnt from doing Erasmus is that we all have a lifetime of opportunities but Erasmus is truly an opportunity of a lifetime.
March/April
I cant believe how quickly this year has gone. I only have about five weeks left in Avignon. It's so sad. This year has been the best year of my life thanks to the wonderful people I've met, the great places I've visited and most importanly, the lack of pressure from the University to get top marks in the exams. I think that the lack of pressure on us is really good because although I'm a natural high achiever and I go to my classes and revise for the exams, there is no pressure to get that 2.1 or 1st which I always strive for when I'm back in Manchester. The year abroad really teachers you about life skills as well as academic ones.
Since I last wrote, I have been to Barcalona for a weekend away, the largest crocoldile farm in Europe, Orange (Roman provincial town in the south of France and much more. We celebrated St. Patricks day in style by all dressing up in green and wearing copious amounts of facepaint. We also had a fancy dress party which was cool.
The weather has been slightly disappointing for France at this time of year however, it's still much warmer than England.
I really have noticed that my French has improved dramatically. A lot of the locals cannot guess where I am from in the world, one man even asked if i was Parisienne, which was a real confidence boost for me.
Anyway, I still have many trips left on my agenda. I would like to visit Montpellier, Marseille and still some of Provence before I return to Manchester for good.
Bye for now, or should I say, Au revoir!
Lauren in France
Lauren skydive
February 2008: the second semester
So the experience starts again for a second time. Some people have left, some have stayed and some have just arrived. ERASMUS is different each semester. Its been a few weeks into semester 2 now and I truly do feel like I can call my place, the residence home because thats exactly how it feels. My friends who I live with are like my family. If we dont see each other for a day it feels like it is an eternity. Pretty intense eh? This experience has taught me so many life skills. I truly have been on a journey of discovery. The friends I have made here this year are definitely life long friends.
I feel like the french is improving and I can understand a whole lot more than I could in September. My written French has improved so much from writing essays for uni and my conversational skills are improving because the French friend I have teaches me loads of cool quirky expressions.
The weather is lovely down here at the moment. It was 25 degres at the weekend which for February in France is very good but I have been told that in March most days are very warm. I say bring it on. Makes a change from the grey clouds and precipitation that constantly plagues Manchester!
France
France
Celebrating St. Patrick's Day
Leaving France, June 2008
So, the experience has finally come to an end. I can't believe how fast this year has gone. I know that it is a total cliche but it really is true. I am so sad to leave Avignon. The friends I have made here are the sort that you keep for a long time. I have already booked tickets to Denmark and Ireland to see some of the friends I have made this year!
Last week the university organised a huge trip for two days travelling around the Cote d'Azur. It was amazing. The parties have also been really cool this semester. The best thing I have learnt this year is that the people you are with really do light up your life. You could be in the most dull place in the world, but as long as you have great company, you will always have a great time.
I am a complete city girl and have lived in Manchester all my life. Avignon, is a little provincial town in the south of France. I found it hard to adapt in the sense that there are less things to do here. However, thanks to all the great people that have come to this little town on ERAMUS and on the assistanship programme, my time here has been the best in my life. I hate the fact that I have to say goodbye but I see it as a good thing because if all times were as good as these, then those great times wouldnt be so great anymore. The end of every story is the beginning of another. I am looking forward to getting home to England and to begin the new chapter of my life.
So its goodbye for now, or should I say aurevoir!
