Category: France

Introducing Sarah Blaiser

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What is/are your major(s)?

Psychology

What is/are your minor(s)?

Criminology and Biology

What is the name of your study abroad program?

IAU College: Humanities, Social Sciences, Business, & International Relations

In what city & country is your study abroad program located?

Aix-en-Provence, France

What is something you would like the blog readers to know about you that they wouldn’t know by just looking at you?

I would want the readers to know that I struggle with anxiety which is one of the reasons I would like to blog. By sharing my struggles with anxiety abroad and how I manage to overcome them I feel may be able to help others that have the same worries. At the very least I think writing about these struggles may help me accept them and adjust abroad as well.

What is one thing that you are most anticipating about your study abroad experience?

I am most anticipating feeling like a stranger. That may sound odd, but I am very excited to slowly start to understand and learn more about a culture different from my own. By being a “stranger” I am opening myself to the ability to come to understand and make the foreign culture my normal for a few months.

Why did you decide to study abroad? or What inspired you to study abroad?

I have always wanted to study abroad and specifically in France. I have been taking French for 9 years and wanted to be able to increase my understanding of the language and the people in this country.

This is a photo from one of my favorite lookouts in Boulder that I often go to with my family.

One final au revoir

Published on by darbyansonLeave a comment

As my voyages came to a close late last week, I have a variety of emotions going through my mind. Excited to see my family, nervous about re-adjusting to the culture here, proud of how far I have come in my language skills and extremely sad to leave behind this wonderful place and people I have come to know. My heart has never been more full than the final Friday of the semester.

IAU held a closing ceremony for all the students, and I was lucky enough to receive an award for my exceptional French skills. The reception following the ceremony, I was able to share final moments with my professors and fellow students who have completely changed my life for the better. Later that night, my group of four girls went to get a drink for the last time at our usual brasserie in the town square. We recounted all of our memories from first impressions to our favorite café and our highlights. These girls have shaped me and I will forever be grateful for each one of them.

All in all, these truly have been the best four months of my life. Despite some troublesome times, which happen anywhere, I have grown so much and learned to be confident in who I am. I hope this is not a once in a lifetime experience, but should it be, this was one hell of a ride and my heart is so full.