Tag: study abroad

A Postcard Alternative

Published on by LshotkoskiLeave a comment

Postcards are so 2000 and late, earrings are so 2028. Get ahead of the curve.

Recently I have been very into earrings. This started winter of 2021 when I realized I loved wearing ridiculously large and out there earrings from previously never wearing any sort of jewelry. Now I feel naked without them, and sad because it makes my day to look in a mirror and see the beautiful jewels and shapes hanging from my ears. Each of them have memories/stories to share or a meaning behind the jewel that bring a sense of comfort and luck when I wear them. On top of that, most countries I have visited have a special character or stone that is said to bring fortune and luck to its inhabitants. Then, they make these gems into cute earrings that you can find at a local market. And to drive the point even further, these earrings are anywhere between $3-$15 if you are buying from a street market jeweler, and therefore supporting local:) Two birds, one stone.

The first picture shows my first four pairs of earrings I picked up. The turtles were overpriced but they were my first pair and I had no way of knowing that. I picked them up in the French Riviera and the market lady told me that the stone on the back of the turtle was said to bring good luck to those who wear it. I figured going into an adventure like abroad I would need it, I was right. The other pairs were picked up on side trips throughout Ireland. Between the green stone and anchors, they really remind me of what amazing things the country has to offer. However, I wear the elephants the most out of any earrings on this list, just look at them.

The next picture shows the amazing glass jewelry South Europe has to offer. The blue earrings we picked up in Budapest when visiting the famous Central Market Hall. The market was so special and in a way made me feel more connected to the people and the culture there. The other items were picked up in Murano (a small island just outside of Venice) and remind me of the best day excursion I have ever taken. Murano was such a special place home to the best glass blowers in the world. Which, judging based off of the amazing figurines and jewelry at their markets, came as no surprise.

The final picture shows a pair of Eiffel Tower earrings that *shockingly* I picked up in Paris. I truly love these simple earrings, even though they are not the earrings from the Montmartre region I initially wanted. They still commemorate an amazing experience (for only $3). Finally, the last three earrings were acquired in Austria from the many, many Christmas markets I attended. If you ever get the chance to visit Austria, GO. Hands down the most friendly and cute people I have ever met, paired with the most beautiful scenery. Especially during Christmas time when the whole country becomes a winter wonderland.

So there you have it, earrings that tell a story and complete an outfit. What more could you want?

Bon Anniversaire! (From Annecy)

Published on by taliafrankelLeave a comment

While the south of France has been filled with sunshine and warm weather up until November, over the past two weeks Aix has begun making the transition to winter, bringing with it cloudy skies and rapidly dropping temperatures. Instead of taking the weekend to escape the cold weather, my friends and I decided to embrace the incoming winter season with a trip up north to the beautiful town of Annecy! Fondly nicknamed “the French Venice,” Annecy is a beautiful and historic town situated on the edge of the French Alps and centered around a crystal blue lake, complete with no shortage of beautiful architecture and canals. This town is not just the perfect place for a weekend getaway, but also the perfect place to spend a birthday, which is exactly what we were going there to do!

We began our weekend/birthday festivities with a beautiful bus ride through the French countryside, which took us to our Airbnb that resembled nothing less than the home of a 19th century French noble. This Airbnb was selected by none less than the birthday girl herself, because what is a queen’s birthday without a castle? We spent our weekend enjoying our temporary home, exploring the cobblestone streets and beautiful lakeside, and eating as much as we could stuff ourselves with. As a Vermonter at heart, the Annecy landscape, complete with the mountain-surrounded lake and autumn foliage, reminded me of home… despite Vermont’s devastating lack of castles.

While every second in Annecy made me feel like I was living in a real-life fairytale, this trip for me was more importantly a reflection on the relationships I’ve built since coming abroad. Spending a weekend in a beautiful place, surrounded by people I didn’t know the names of just two months ago, and celebrating one of my best friends, I felt overwhelmed by love and appreciation. I went abroad for many reasons. For the culture, for the language, for the learning experience… but being able to share this experience with new people and learning how to form deep connections in different situations has only allowed for deeper personal growth.

So instead of this being a post to the town of Annecy (although its beauty should not be overlooked), this is a post for my friends. As we enter the last month of our abroad semester, I can already feel that the last few weeks are going to fly by. Instead of being sad about the end of this chapter I hope to cherish every moment of my time left here, in this beautiful place and surrounded by the amazing people I’ve met along the way. Starting a new life somewhere, even for just a few months, can be both terrifying and thrilling, but being rewarded by new experiences, new memories, and new life-long relationships could not be more fulfilling. These newfound friendships have helped me grow both as my own person and as a global citizen and only make me more excited for my future travels and what new people I may meet along the way.