Category: Off Campus

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Student Spotlight: Studying Abroad with Sarah Kuhn

“Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.”

-Ralph Waldo Emerson

Emerson, with this quote, thoroughly explains the intrigue, adventure and excitement that accompanies most students that decide to pursue a study abroad program. One such student is junior Accounting and Finance major and Spanish minor Sarah Kuhn. She currently studying abroad in Granada, Spain through the opportunities offered to each student and major through the Grove City College Office of International Education (OIE). I was fortunate enough to have a conversation with her in between her international adventures to ask her a few questions about her experiences so far, her international insights, as well as her advice to those looking to pursue a study abroad program.

How was the planning process of choosing and applying for a program? Do you have any advice after your successful planning experience?

“Planning to study abroad is not a difficult experience. As long as you have the required packets and paperwork and some organizational skills, you will be able to figure it out. If studying abroad is important to you, then that is enough motivation to be able to make it happen. Also, the OIE is more than willing to help you with any problems or questions. I would advise that those wanting to study abroad do some research about classes and credits both at Grove City and in their desired program to make sure that they will transfer. It also helps to take Humanities courses earlier rather than later, because those classes will not transfer from abroad. It may help to plan out your courses ahead of time so that you are prepared.”

How has studying abroad changed your perspective on things like life, education, etc.?

Junior Sarah Kuhn and I discussing her study abroad experience to Grenada, Spain over a lovely video call.
Junior Sarah Kuhn and I discussing her study abroad experience to Grenada, Spain over a lovely video call.

“It had really shown be how big the world is. It has been such an eye-opening experience to be surrounded by so many students who are not Christian and to observe how they approach the world, art, travel, education, and the beauty of Creation. It makes me think of my understanding and learning through classes like Speculative Mind and Civ Arts.”

What has been the best part about studying abroad so far?

“The best part overall has been the opportunity to see things in person that I never imagined really existed. It’s been so amazing to see vague and intangible things that I’ve only learned about becoming real, like Europe itself and works of art. I recently traveled to the beach and was able to experience the Mediterranean Sea for the first time, which was pretty special.”

What is your favorite thing about living in Spain?

“I’ve really enjoyed the opportunities to practice and learn more Spanish. That was really important to me, and a big part of why I decided to study abroad. I’ve loved being in Spanish classes, conversing with professors and asking questions that I was able to apply to my life directly outside of the classroom in a real-life setting. I’ve loved learning about the culture and the different dialects within Spain. The culture is so diverse and there’s so much I still don’t know, and I think that is really cool.”

What are the biggest differences that you have seen between Europe and America?

“Mostly, I have noticed how much more secular Europe is in comparison to the United States. Many times over the months I’ve been here, I have been able to share and explain the gospel with people who really didn’t have any idea what Christianity is all about. I’ve noticed that Americans tend to have such a small scope of perspective, and that studying abroad highlights the range of that scope in different ways. People in Europe are much more culturally aware than Americans, and speak more language and have a better understanding of more cultures outside their own.”

Anything else you’d like to share?

“I am surprised how few people studied abroad from Grove City this semester, only 13! If you choose the right program and plan it right, studying abroad (flights included) can cost less than a semester at the College. Also, studying abroad has made me so thankful for Grove City College’s community, their strong Christian education, and formative classes. I am so lucky to have a Grove City College education as a base so that I can succeed wherever I am in the world, and to be able to use what I learn as well.”

Sarah Kuhn is forging her own path abroad, and surely Emerson would be proud. Her experiences and insights will add so much diversity and culture to Grove City College, as does every student that studies abroad. Choosing the path abroad can lead to a discovery of culture, faith, self and so much more, and the OIE helps make those dreams a reality for Grove City College students. So it has been said, and can be applied to those seeking an abroad adventure, “A journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.”

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Five Restaurants Near Grove City You MUST Visit

I don’t know about you, but sometimes I need a break from campus. Though the cafeteria food is delicious, sometimes its nice to get away and try something new. Below are my five favorite restaurants near Grove City to escape to when I want to enjoy a good meal with some great friends.

Rachel’s Roadhouse

rachels

A Grove City classic! Ask any alumni of the College and they are sure to have fond memories at Rachel’s Roadhouse. My parents are alumni of Grove City College and talk about how much they LOVED eating at Rachel’s. The restaurant has a very home-y feel and I love that so many Grove City students before have eaten and enjoyed each other’s company there before me. Some of my favorites foods here are Cast Iron Spinach Dip, New York Style Soft Pretzels, and French Onion Soup!

 

Timbercreek Tap and Table

timbercreek

Timbercreek is a newer restaurant to the Grove City area, but had no trouble making it to my top five favorites list! This is a great place to go if you are looking for a more high-end meal. It’s great for a date, or a place to take the family when they come to visit! Some of my favorite things to order here are Filet Tips, Buffalo Chicken Dip, and a House Salad. I have heard they also have great burgers! This restaurant also has a special place in my heart because my fiancé spent many hours working as a waiter!

 

The Camelot Restaurant

camelot

Located in Slippery Rock, The Camelot Restaurant is a great place to get a reasonably price brunch after church on a Sunday – and the low price does not mean small portions! I have gone here many times and not once been
disappointed!

 

Mule Train Smokers

muletrain

Owned by a man named Norm Edwards, Mule Train Smokers is an easy favorite. Mule Train Smokers is a food truck that can be found most nice spring and falls days in the parking lot across from Grove City’s town park. He is famous for his Pulled Pork and Texas Beef Brisket and you will know why once you try it! I love to buy a sandwich here and walk over to the park to enjoy it. A definite must try for BBQ lovers!

 

Katie’s Korner

katieskorner

Last but not least is my favorite place to get an ice cream cone. Katie’s Korner can be spotted on Center Street on your drive between 79 and the College. Like Mule Train, it is only open during the warm months, but worth the wait! They specialize in home-made ice cream and are famous for their banana flavor! My personal favorite is “Salty Dog” which is caramel ice cream with pretzel pieces! 

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Springbreakers: Engineers and Missions

How can I, as an engineering student, further the work of Christian missions? This is a question I’ve been asking for a while. Last week gave me part of the answer.

Spring break began after classes on Friday, March 3, and since I live close to home I was able to visit with my family that evening and all day Saturday. On Sunday, I drove back to Grove City to meet two other students and to leave for Elkhart, Ind., home of SonSet Solutions, where we served for the remainder of the break.

SonSet has been helping ministries start Christian radio stations for years, and has developed an affordable solar-powered radio (called a “SonSet”) which can be programmed to tune to local Christian stations. These are used all over the world and are being actively developed (the team is working on the next generation model now). However, their partner ministries increasingly have needs beyond radio. For instance, wells installed in Africa need to be serviced if they stop working, but sometimes ministries cannot easily access the wells (e.g., no roads, guerrilla groups, etc.). So SonSet created a water monitoring system that sends data via satellite.

SonSet Spring Break 2017
The first 2017 spring break team at SonSet.

When we arrived in Elkhart, we met our host families and the next day at work met all of the other students who were also spending their break at SonSet. There were 10 in total: three from Grove City, six from Cedarville, and one from Northwestern. SonSet would be hosting other students in following weeks.

Two Grove City students were working on a power protection unit that shuts off electricity if the power input is dirty (e.g., voltage spikes). Logan MacKenzie ’17 worked on the electrical design and Joshua Kuipers ’18 worked on the assembly.

SonSet Service ProjectIn addition to our project work with our mentors, we had a few events throughout the week, like our service project at Faith Mission where we served dinner to walk-in’s and cleaned some warehouse floors.

My project was to make a touchscreen device that reads debug messages transmitted over I2C. The main features I implemented were:

  • Different display states/screens
  • Touch buttons to transition between states
  • A view with a scrolling list of the most recent messages
  • A view with the most recent debug information displayed visually (e.g., gauges for water monitor information)

I recorded a short video on Friday to show the basic functionality. The Arduino is sending messages to the system over I2C with fake water monitor data:

What was exciting for me was to realize how much I have learned from Grove City College. I was drawing largely on my experience from classes like Embedded Systems with Dr. Walker. Of course, basic math was helpful when computing the corner points for the triangles on the gauges. Engineering is so much fun, and it was exciting to do a project with a very practical application for missions!

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The Mountains are Calling – Hiking Near Grove City College

What better way is there to enjoy the recent spring-like weather then to grab a group of friends and go on a hike? Grove City College’s campus is located close to a number of excellent hiking trails. The options of where to go are endless, all you need is a car and couple of sojourners that are willing to tackle a trail with you. There is truly no better way to take a study break, then to head out into God’s creation and remind oneself to be still. There are a variety of locations close to campus with options of various trail difficulties and lengths. I’ve listed several suggestions for the casual walkers and serious hikers at GCC.

Wolf Creek Narrows Natural Area Sign

The first location is Wolf Creek Narrows. If there isn’t much time to spare and a quick escape is all that is needed then Wolf Creek Narrows is the best choice. It is only a 16 minute drive from campus and a moderate difficulty hike. It isn’t a trek up a mountain, but rather just a nice casual stroll along the creek that provides a scenic view of the narrow gorge and spring wildflowers.

frewmilltrail

If hiking isn’t enough to convince people to go out for a hike, maybe cliff jumping and swimming will be sweeten the deal. The second hiking option, ABC Frew Mill Trail, is a great place to go for a hike, work up a sweat, and refresh with a nice plunge into the river. Located in Moraine State Park, the trail is about two miles long and is welcoming to individuals of all skill levels. Be sure to hop in the car for a 25 minute drive to ABC Frew Mill Trail and don’t forget to pack a swimsuit!

McConnells Mill

The third option is just five minutes beyond the ABC Frew Mill Trail, but one of GCC’s top picks for a day in the woods – McConnell’s Mill Main Trail. McConnell’s Mill was created by draining glacial lakes which left with many boulders and valley floors. The trail ranges from moderate to difficult, but if you stay on the main trail it will be moderate the whole way through. It is just a quick 30 minute drive and then you are free to choose the trail to blaze.

 

bigrun

The fourth trail on the board is Big Run Falls located in New Castle’s Cascade Park. Formerly an amusement park, Cascade Park has been transformed through the years. It has been cleaned up, the rides removed, and now is an established beautiful park that is open to the public. The falls are located along the edge of the hollow that allows people to walk around, observe, and take pictures of the area. The 45 minute trip is well worth the drive!

cook-forest-state-park

I’ve saved the longest trip for last, but the hour-long ride to Cook Forest is definitely worth it. With over 15 trails to choose from, Cook Forest is a great day trip for friends. There are many trails that connect with each other, a fire tower that offers great views of the sunset, and Seneca Trail gives hikers a great view overlooking the river.

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Being a City Boy in Rural PA: What’s Western PA All About?

If you couldn’t tell from my previous post, I love city living. From the abounding culture to crossing the street when that pesky red hand shines at you from across the road (but come on, there’s not even a car coming down the street), there’s something about being in a city that just makes me feel at home.pittsburgh-1075751_960_720

I grew up outside of the Big Apple, the City the Never Sleeps, NYC, so moving to Grove City required that I shift my recreational expectations. Don’t get me wrong. Grove City is full of activity, and you will never be bored if you use a little creativity. From hall gaming tournaments to late-night strolls, there’s enough to keep you entertained.

But what about when you’re yearning to be honked at or explore a museum? One of my favorite things to do on a free weekend at home is take the train into the city and visit the Met or the MoMA, maybe even see a Broadway show.

Well fear not, city slicker, for you are within an hour of a wonderful city: Pittsburgh!

The Steel City has everything you’d ever want from a thriving metropolis. If you want an art museum, you’re going to have to decide what type of art you’d like to see. To be completely honest, I haven’t been to the Warhol Museum (yet), but it’s one of the next destinations I need to visit.

And don’t forget about the Carnegie Museum of Art. From Van Gogh to Warhol, the museum offers a wide collection for patrons to peruse and enjoy.

For the foodies out there, Pittsburgh restaurant scene has a lot to offer. Pittsburgh’s restaurants span from Argentinian steak houses to Ramen bars, you won’t be wandering around for long before you find a place to savor a delicious meal. Recently, I went to Gaucho, just outside of downtown and had one of the best Latin skirt steaks I’ve ever enjoyed, and I’ve had a lot.

And if music is your scene then you need look no further. From Jon Bellion at Stage AE to some rando’s basement hosting one of my favorite local bands from NJ, there is no shortage of concerts.

Despite all the wonderful things Pittsburgh has to offer, I don’t make it down their often, and that’s nice. Pittsburgh is a great city, but when you’re at Grove City College, this is where your life is located. If I’m ever missing my fast-paced, traffic-filled, Starbucks-on-every-block life, I know I can head down to the Burgh.

But don’t think that there’s nothing to do at this place because there’s only a dull moment if you allow it to creep in.

As much as I love blood pressure that shoots upward due to caffeine and adrenaline, the country provides a respite, a place to focus on friends and studies.

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My First March for Life

I woke up at 3:20 a.m. Not my normal wake-up time, I assure you. But I was meeting six other Grovers in the SAC at 3:45 and wanted to give myself enough time to get ready.

2017 March for Life

It’s been 44 years since Roe v. Wade, and so this past Friday, January 27, was the 44th Annual March for Life in Washington D.C.  My generation has never known another America.

The impact of that decision is breathtaking: Over 58 million babies have been aborted. That’s more deaths than can be attributed to the sum of all of America’s wars.

It has been a few years since Grove City’s Life Advocates went to the March. For many of us, myself included, it was our first March. And it was moving. There is something about giving up a day of your life, being on the ground, carrying a sign, trying to represent those that have no voice, getting a little more tired with each step and passing hour, and remembering that any small sacrifice we made was rather pale. Approximately one abortion is performed every two minutes in the U.S.; hundreds died even as we marched.

This year’s theme was “The Power of One.” Speaking for the Trump administration, we heard from Mike Pence and Kellyanne Conway. While past pro-life presidents have delivered video messages, this was the first March where an executive — a vice president — came to the March.

But I particularly appreciated Eric Metaxas and Rep. Mia Love, who spoke later in the rally. Metaxas boldly proclaimed the sovereignty of Christ and the way that his church should respond with grace and forgiveness toward her enemies. Rep. Mia Love gave us a more personal story about how her immigrant parents were inconvenienced by a pregnancy with a third child, but chose life. How could they have known then that she should become the first female African American Representative to Congress?

As the rally ended, and Bishop Vincent Matthews prayed for the crowd, thousands and thousands moved toward Constitution Avenue to begin the march to the Supreme Court and Capitol Building. When our group arrived, some time after 3:00, women who had had abortions were giving their “Silent No More” testimonies outside the Supreme Court. Each told of the pain they had experienced knowing they had killed their son or daughter, and the forgiveness they had finally found in Jesus — many through Bible studies in a local church.

I am glad that I went. I’ve always been “pro-life” — I am convinced, from Scripture and from science, that life begins at conception and I believe that human life is inherently valuable. But going to the March for Life underscored, in my own heart, how sad and serious this issue is. May the Lord be gracious to us and let us see an end to legalized abortion in our lifetime! We are the Pro-Life Generation.

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Clubs on Campus Worth Trying Out: Part 1

clubs on campus

Did you know there are over 130 student clubs and organizations to get involved in at Grove City College? Not only are there the typical intramural sports clubs such as lacrosse, soccer, basketball, and volleyball, but there are also unique organizations such as euchre, fencing, hiking, and horseback riding. With all the options to play sports, sing, or learn something new on campus, students surely find a way to act on their passions to create opportunities for people with similar interests to come together.

I was able to talk with a few students about some interesting clubs they a majority of college campuses do not offer. Junior Connor Monahan is studying Mechanical Engineering and is involved with the Newman Club. Connor said, “The Newman Club is a Catholic Campus Ministry group on campus. We have weekly meetings where we bring in local speakers or campus faculty. We also participate in community service projects.” This is a club for students who are either Catholic or want to understand more about Catholicism. The Newman Club is an awesome opportunity to branch out on campus.GCC Martial Arts club

We also have a club focused on martial arts and various types of fighting and wrestling. Sophomore Nathan Smith is involved with this program, and explained, “The martial arts program has primarily turned into a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu club. We meet every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday…we learn some new techniques, drills, and then we grapple. We have a lot of dedicated people in the club who have even joined Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu academies back at their homes!” Unlike other campus groups, the martial arts program can be expanded on and off campus. According to Smith, “We recently invited my instructors from my gym back in Ohio to put on a seminar here at GCC. The program had an excellent turn out and everyone had an amazing time. We plan on doing another seminar next semester.” Martial arts programs provide students with great opportunities to include previous involvement in similar extracurricular activities into their college life.

 Grove City Outing ClubNot all Grove City clubs are on the College’s campus. For example, the outing club meets on campus, but mainly consists of hiking, camping, and other outdoors-related activities. Senior Philip Dudt who has been involved since freshman year said, “We enjoy God’s creation on trips over breaks (backpacking especially), fellowship with friends at the club’s cabin, and lasting memories made during car rides to these remote locations we hike.” This is an ideal club for those who enjoy hiking and backpacking, and a great opportunity to get to know the area around Grove City.

With all these great organizations being offered to Grovers of all grades, it is a difficult decision to choose one specific organization. Subsequently, there will be another post discussing students’ experiences with more unique clubs. Along with what is listed on our GCC website, there are many other groups and clubs that you can learn about at the Organization Fair. The fair takes place during the first few weeks of school and provides Freshman with the chance to meet members from each club and learn about what they do throughout the semester. These are great opportunities to get involved and meet new people as you start your Grove City College career.

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Commuter Life at GCC: Pro’s and Con’s

            Dorm life is definitely not for everyone. Living off campus can be an option that some people prefer over living in the dorms. At Grove City College, students are allowed to commute if they live close by with their parents or guardians, or if they are married. With nearly 2,500 students attending, only about 5% of students choose to commute. I had the opportunity to talk with a student about his experiences commuting for the past three years.

Pro’s of Commuting

            Zach Ferguson is a senior Communications major with a minor in Studio Art. Growing up in Butler, PA, Zach commutes about 30 minutes to campus every weekday. He explained, “I save about $9,000 per year by commuting, and because I am paying for college on my own it made sense.” Saving on the cost of room and board is one of the biggest benefits of commuting rather than living on campus. Zach said, “Getting to go home every day and keeping the same friends from my hometown that go to different schools is a big plus. I also still go to the same church nearby where my best friend is the pastor.” Knowing the area and having the benefit of a separate space away from campus is always a huge benefit of living near a college town.

Con’s of Commuting

            While there are plenty of good things about living at home and commuting, there are also a lot of downsides to being away from campus. Zach discussed, “It’s definitely hard to make friends on campus because I’m not on campus too much. It’s hard to find community.” Being a part of the campus experience with other people is one of the main factors that build community here at Grove City College. Zach explained how he is friends with other commuters, and that there is community within that, but he wishes he had more people to connect with on campus. “I’m not thrilled about living in dorms,” he said, “but I wish I would have done it for the people.”

            Being a commuter, it can be more difficult to get involved with campus groups and events. However, because he is able to live in the same area, Zach has an off campus job that causes his schedule to be more stacked than normal. He explained, “When I was a freshman and sophomore I had a different schedule, so it was easier to be on campus, but now I live a half hour away with a job, so coming to school feels like I’m coming to my job.”

Is it Worth the Money?

            All in all, Zach said he would not recommend commuting. “You save money, but you miss out. It’s hard to balance work, school, and personal life when you live in a different place,” he said. During the four years you spend at college, it is important to be present in the time and place. While commuting may be a good option for you, it’s helpful to have an insider perspective on what it is like once the work load begins. The college years go by quickly and it’s important to consider where you want to invest your time while you’re here, but remember that Zach’s perspective is only one of the many opinions held by communters at Grove City.

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True View Ministries: Grove City College Interns Work In Live Broadcast

True View Ministries is a multimedia outlet that is passionate about proclaiming the truth of God’s Word. Specializing in television broadcasts, True View’s goal is to transform the women of the world by proclaiming the Word of God with a passion in love as well as equipping and encouraging women to live authentic Christian lives. Co-founders, Jamie Shaver and Julie Van Gorp, created this ministry network to provide women with a global source to get Biblically sound and culturally relevant insight that challenges them to live fearless Christian lives. The ministry primarily operates through the “True View” TV show, which seeks to channel the lens of the Scriptures, changing the way women view and interact with the world. Next to live broadcasts, True View also hosts and participates in conferences, posts blogs, provides mentorship, and publishes Bible Studies.

This Wednesday through Friday, True View will be producing one of their largest broadcasts from New Castle, PA. Special guests from all over the nation will be featured and discuss topics including Divorce, Purity, and Parenting. Anne Kerr, Founder and President of TrueNorth Freedom Projects, along with Mindy Pierce, Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) of Grow Counseling, will address issues related to Pornography and Parenting in a sexualized culture. Other focuses more relevant to Christian Millennials include Social Media, Racial Utility, and Bullying. Justin Butterfield, Senior Counsel for Liberty Institute, will present a case in favor of defending, promoting and contending the Christian faith. Although the broadcast is projected towards parents and spouses, college students are encouraged to tune in and learn more about these pressing current dilemmas.

Two students of Grove City College’s Communication and Visual Arts Department were chosen to serve as interns for True View’s live broadcast. Katherine Hussey, Senior Communications Major and Spanish minor, will serve as Camera Operator and Floor Director. Victoria O’Brien, Senior Communications Major with concentrations in Business, Entrepreneurship, and Pre-Law, will intern as Director of Social Media Development. Both interns share a common interest and passion for news broadcast, video production, and reporting. Although GCC does not offer specific courses in these areas, Hussey and O’Brien are prepared for this opportunity through related communication courses and past internships experience. Hussey has served as a News Intern at KDKA News Radio where she was responsible for writing radio scripts and assembling recorded demo newscasts. O’Brien interned as a Video Journalist for Bold Global Media where she curated original content for the website as well as produced and anchored the company’s daily show. Both interns agree that the audio and video workshops hosted by GCC’s Media Services positively aided in their internship experiences.

True View Ministries is open to providing additional students with the opportunity to participate in future events. Shaver welcomes other students who are interested in advancing True View’s mission to contact her at jamie@trueviewministries.org.

 

True View Part II

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French: All Day Every Day

Last spring, I had the opportunity to study abroad for four months in France.

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Grove City has a wonderful study center in Nantes, but I chose to go through an outside study abroad program rather than directly through the College. There are many different options for studying abroad that aren’t only through Grove City; they require a bit of an application process the semester before, but my program provider had wonderful people working there who were able to help me through every step of the process.

Another helpful event that the College puts on each spring and fall is a study abroad fair that brings in a number of different program representatives, which was a great opportunity for me in being able to talk to the people who work for these programs.

After much consideration of what I was looking for in my experience, I determined that my three main objectives were to learn French, to live in a somewhat large city, and to get out of my comfort zone by going on my own without anyone I knew.

After doing a lot of research, I decided to study in Paris at L’Institut Catholique (Catholic Institute). All of my classes would be in French, I would have the opportunity to live with a host family, and I would be able to live in and explore the city of lights!

I visited Paris for the first time three years ago on a trip I took with my brother and sister through several European countries and I remember being a bit skeptical before I arrived there. I reasoned that since everyone raves about Paris, could it really be that wonderful? Spoiler: I loved it. I loved the Eiffel Tower and how it towered over the city, I loved the quaint streets, the quiet cafes, and the stunning architecture of the buildings and bridges.

When I decided to return to Paris to study there, I was beyond excited, but I had no idea just what an amazing experience I would have. I would do it all over again in a heartbeat.

To set the scene, I lived with my host mom in a huge apartment complex in the 19th arrondissment, which is in  the northeastern part of the city. My University was in the 6th, which is in central Paris, just south of the river. My daily commute (when I say daily, I only had class Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays) was 35 minutes by the Metro, which was one of my favorite parts of the day. I loved the idea that if I minded my own business and didn’t open my mouth, I could be French!

As I mentioned, all of my classes were in French and were each three hours long at a time, usually from 9:00 am-12:00 pm, or 2:00-5:00 pm. My grammar and writing class met three times per week while my Discovering Paris and Parisian Cinema each met once. I studied with international students and made friends from all over the world including Japan, India, Chile, Colombia, and Taiwan. Class was a neat experience because much of the time the only thing we had in common with our fellow students was our (albeit somewhat limited, especially at the beginning) French ability, so we were forced to use it in order to communicate.

There was something so freeing about being anonymous in a city as majestic and beautiful as Paris; I could walk down the street and take everything in without anyone noticing me. My program provided me with a Navigo Pass, which gave me access to the Metro and bus systems in the entire ile-de-France, which extends quite a bit out of the city. The possibilities were endless; I could go see all the museums, parks, stroll along the river, anything I wanted.

Living in Paris made me more aware of the world around me. I loved the way in which Parisians approach life: they are on time to work, but think nothing of enjoying a cafe crème for a few hours in the afternoon with a friend. I loved watching all of the people on the street and trying to guess their destination and learning how to wander the different neighborhoods and streets without a destination.

In coming posts, I am going to explain more of the different aspects of my life abroad and some of the things I learned, but suffice it to say that it was the best decision I’ve made so far in my life. I will be writing about some of my favorite museums, my favorite places to visit, and several of my different experiences outside of France. Come along with me to relive my dream of a semester!