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2016 – A Year in Review
I have a lot to write about since my last post, but I’m going to catch up on that stuff next year π . Β As New Years EveΒ approached, I started thinking about my year and decided I should write a blog before the New Year begins! Β The year 2016 was a big one for me. Β I’m having trouble wrapping my head around all that has happened and all the travel I was able to do in merely 12 months! I started off the year working at a law firm in Washington, D.C. Β Having watched my father build an impressive career in the public sector, I have never wanted anything less…
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Iconic Amsterdam: Canals, Coffee Shops & Culture
Amsterdam is one of the most iconic port cities in Europe! Β Famous for its beautiful canals, red light district, and coffee shops, this city was at the top of my bucket list.Β I visited Amsterdam while studying abroad in 2013, and I was happy to revisit the city in 2016! Walking Tour During my first visit to Amsterdam, I went on my first ever Free Walking Tour. After enjoying it so much, I began seeking similar tours in other destinations. It sounds like it’d be redundant, but I decided to start off my second stay in Amsterdam with another walking tour! I used the same company, but obviously I had…
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Rotterdam, Netherlands: Highlights of the History and Modern Architecture
Rotterdam is a major port city in the Netherlands.Β I knew close to nothing about this city prior to visiting during my Vacances de Toussaint in 2016.Β I enjoyed the city so much, I revisited just three months later!Β I decided to visit Rotterdam because it was right in between Antwerp and Amsterdam!Β As it turns out, this city is extremely young with impressive modern architecture! Rotterdam was bombed during World War II and nearly the entire city was destroyed. Β There is an incredibly moving statue beside the Maritime Museum, by Ossip Zadkine, named “The Destroyed City.” Β He said that when he arrived to Rotterdam after the war and saw…
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Discover Ghent: Belgium’s Most Underrated Medieval City
For my first vacation of my teaching term, Vacances de Toussaint, I booked a ten-day trip through Belgium and the Netherlands. My first stop – Ghent (or, in French, Gand)! While in Dublin the weekend before this, a fellow traveler I crossed paths with told me that this was his favorite city in Belgium and highly recommended that I check it out. According to Google, most travelers spend about a day or two in this city. I didn’t intend on staying more than two days, but the only open hostel that weekend had a three night minimum (benefits of booking a trip 24 hours in advance). So three days it…
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Life in France – November Update
Well hello there! Β I took an unintentional 3 week break from my blog. Aside from all the political mess, I also accidentally broke my laptop and have had limited access to computers! In my apartment, the WiFi is stronger closer to the window. Two weekends ago I set up my computer on the floor by the window to lesson plan, because sometimes if I am sitting on my bed the internet will cut out randomly. I was cooking a late lunch, so I figured I could work while boiling the water. Another instance of me failing at adulthood… Β I forgot that I had water in the pot already and…
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A Weekend in Dublin: Guinness, Castles, and Irish Charm
This post contains some affiliate links. I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Dublin is the capital of Ireland, located on the Eastern Coast of the country.Β This city boasts many amazing attractions! I spent a solo weekend in Dublin in the fall of 2016.Β These are my highlights of this charming city! Pro Tip: Grab a rain coat or compact umbrella for your visit to Ireland – you never know if you will get stuck in a rainstorm! I started my weekend in Dublin by going on a Free Walking Tour, exploring the south side of the city. This worked out especially well for me…
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Beginning Work at my School in Wattrelos
I am currently about three weeks into working at my school in Wattrelos, France. Β I can almost say Wattrelos with confidence now (seriously so difficult haha)! Β After movingΒ into my apartment and gettingΒ settled, I scheduled a visit to the school with my Prof rΓ©fΓ©rent. Β This way, I got to meet my contact in person finally, see the school grounds, meet the other professors I’d be working with, and see what the commute would be like. Getting to my school from Lille was completely new to me.Β All I knew was that there was a bus somewhere in Roubaix…Β When I got off the metro to find the bus, I asked the…
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Finding a Residence in Lille
I wrote in my last post how my friend very graciously allowed me to stay with him in his Paris apartment for ten (yes ten!) whole days before I moved to a residence in Lille. Β Honestly, I’m shocked he is still speaking to me! Β I’m not sure if I could even live with myself after sharing a bedroom like that! Β Anyways, I gave myself a 24-hour period upon arrival to not stress outΒ about the fact that I still didn’t know where I was going to live. Β Immediately following that 24-hour period, I entered near-meltdown-mode! Shakka patiently helped me draft a 2-3 sentence message that I could send to potential leasors.…
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Paris is always a good idea.
“That Paris exists and anyone could choose to live anywhere else in the world will always be a mystery to me.” I may not have given myself very much spare time off of work in the US, to prepare for my big move (spoiler alert: I packed the day before my flight) BUT I made sure that I flew into France early enough to give myself some time in my favorite city before moving to Lille. Β I still had no idea where I was going to live in Lille when I arrived in France. Β However, arriving early really played to my benefit! During my timeΒ studying abroad in Paris between 2012-2013,…
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Long-Stay Visa
I’m in the process of getting my second Long-Stay Visa for France… this time for work rather than study. π I feel so official!! I wanted to write a little bit about how much of a mess I am. For some reason, since the moment I received the email that I was accepted into the TAPIF program, I have had a hard time fullyΒ comprehending that this is REALLY happening. First, I received a long informative email from the coordinator of the program. I saw the email, got excited about it, and then proceeded to forget to actually read it. After nearly a month, I realized that in big bold letters…
