STUDY ABROAD BLOG MATERIAL
A semester in Caen, France
Below, you will find blog material written from January to June 2017 during my semester abroad. Each item contains a link that will redirect you to the original posting. By reading, I hope you will get a sense of my blog-writing style, learn about impactful events in my life, and feel inspired to do a bit of adventuring yourself. To quote Judith Hanson Lasater, "Which do you want: the pain of staying where you are or the pain of growth?"
A STUDENT ABROAD
January 21, 2017
Bonjour!
My name is Albrianna Jenkins. I am a Maryville College student who has been so fortunate to have had the opportunity to study abroad in Caen, FRANCE!!
At first, the idea to study abroad seemed interesting enough, but not nearly as real as is now is to me. I was looking to travel abroad for the J-term (roughly three weeks), but what I ended up doing was ...
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BLOG POST #2
January 29, 2017
Bonjour!
I've been in Caen, France for 13 days!! That's almost 2 weeks of adjusting. The first major change I had to deal with was the time difference. Here, I am six hours ahead of my family back in Tennessee. It took a full recoup day in which I slept 12 hours for me to adjust. Even still...
FRENCH CUISINE
February 6, 2017
Bonjour!
I've been in France for 3 full weeks, and while I miss my family, I have now adjusted enough to my surroundings to feel comfortable maneuvering the city on my own.
A lot of Facebook friends and family have been eager to see the pictures I have of France, but I've noticed that what they are most interested in is (of course) the FOOD! Because of this, I decided...
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![IMG_1092[1].JPG](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/510d21_0a1fcbb2830f452b96eae8e0b6a2919d~mv2.jpg/v1/crop/x_74,y_0,w_1051,h_1600/fill/w_460,h_700,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/IMG_1092%5B1%5D_JPG.jpg)
THE SUNDAY MARKET
February 20, 2017
Bonjour!
I leave for Bordeaux, France early in the morning, and so, my post will be unusually short. I just wanted to share something that I have discovered to be a hidden jewel of Caen! Yesterday, I had the opportunity to visit the Sunday market that is located a short distance from UniCaen's campus. The market is a gathering of local farmers and vendors looking to sell fresh foods and unique merchandise...
![IMG_1201[1] (1).JPG](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/510d21_d759d01c26934e95934aff8cca0f6d97~mv2.jpg/v1/crop/x_517,y_0,w_1082,h_1600/fill/w_460,h_680,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/IMG_1201%5B1%5D%20(1)_JPG.jpg)
A TRIP TO BORDEAUX, FRANCE
February 27, 2017
Bonjour!
I have been in France for 42 days! I wanted to spend a little time talking about my recent trip and hope it doesn't make you too "bordeaux". (Ha. I may be improving my French, but my sense of humor remains unchanged.)
As you may or may not know, Bordeaux is...
![IMG_1408[1] (1).JPG](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/510d21_66c7e0a7360445e08e8526886129c5b6~mv2.jpg/v1/crop/x_136,y_0,w_1051,h_1600/fill/w_460,h_700,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/IMG_1408%5B1%5D%20(1)_JPG.jpg)
ANXIETY TRANSCENDS CULTURES
March 7, 2017
Bonjour!
I've talked a lot about my time here in France, but I conveniently omitted my moments of duress! This can be a big part of traveling abroad, and so, I feel obligated to share at least a brief overview of the very real fear I have felt and the very extreme anxiety I have gone through.
Grocery shopping has never been a fun task for me to accomplish, and so, I tend to put it off (like this week) until...
![IMG_1531[1].JPG](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/510d21_99f8082b387046c1aeb0dc926f747682~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_278,h_448,al_c,lg_1,q_80,enc_avif,quality_auto/IMG_1531%5B1%5D_JPG.jpg)
L'AMOUR EST UNE PORTE OUVERTE {LOVE IS AN OPEN DOOR}
March 15, 2017
Bonjour,
A recent incident involving an unexpected curb and my susceptible ankle has caused me to delay in posting.
While all of my previous blogs have centered around a particular theme, I thought I might now reflect on my time here in France. In doing so, I hope to preserve a few valuable impressions that I have had. I could begin from one of many paths, but I choose perhaps my favorite of all: My impression of the language...
![IMG_1581[1].JPG](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/510d21_09f72b9908df48d490909b8cec9c2319~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_460,h_680,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/IMG_1581%5B1%5D_JPG.jpg)
A TALE WITH A TWIST(ED ANKLE)
March 21, 2017
Bonjour,
I'll spare the morbid details (and pictures) of my previously discussed ankle injury, and will instead acknowledge what affects injuries and illnesses can have on a person who is living in a place he or she is unfamiliar with.
I managed to twist my ankle stepping off of a curb while on my way to complete...
A VISIT TO THE LOCAL FRENCH SCHOOL
March 28, 2017
Bonjour,
Last week, I had an amazing opportunity to visit a local French school for a day and can hardly contain my excitement to share with you all that I learned! My visit even made the local newspaper! Fair warning: This post might get a little lengthy!
First off, I want to acknowledge that there are numerous differences between French schools and U.S. schools. The grade levels are the most...
![IMG_1794[1].JPG](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/510d21_568ef551752c413fa3f2136e1b11199b~mv2.jpg/v1/crop/x_0,y_94,w_898,h_1249/fill/w_460,h_640,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/IMG_1794%5B1%5D_JPG.jpg)
ANSWERING THE CALL OF ADVENTURE
April 4, 2017
Bonjour,
This past weekend, I had the most memorable time with a new friend I met as a result of the local French school visit. She is French and very familiar with the area around Caen. She generously invited me to stay at her "simple home" for the weekend which I found to be an adorable French farmhouse (the kind I've only ever seen in movies)...
![IMG_1858[1].MOV.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/510d21_1ae39b89a4f244749c2b0337d6909c48~mv2.jpg/v1/crop/x_0,y_0,w_720,h_1050/fill/w_460,h_700,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/IMG_1858%5B1%5D_MOV.jpg)
LA CARNAVAL DES ETUDIANTS A CAEN
April 9, 2017
Bonjour,
I leave for London in a mere four hours and have yet to fall asleep! My sleep schedule has been completely destroyed (though by what, I am not sure). I wanted to share my experience participating in the largest student-led carnival in all of Europe that happens here in my second home (the city of Caen!). This past Thursday, thousands of students came from all around to take part in it. To be exact, there were around 30,000 people in attendance!...
BE STILL, MY TRAVEL-LOVING HEART
April 18, 2017
Bonjour,
I've just returned from a week-long trip to Dublin and London. This past week allowed me to complete one of my three goals I set for studying abroad, which was to visit at least two other countries aside from France. Completing such a goal has been extremely rewarding! I saw the sites that both London and Dublin had to offer. I tried the food, I bought the postcards, but most importantly, I met other people as in love with life as me.
In Dublin, the two-day trip made schedules a bit rushed, and so, I wasn't able...
![IMG_1914[1].JPG](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/510d21_a5e298c21762423ea48728c59025d45c~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_460,h_680,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/IMG_1914%5B1%5D_JPG.jpg)
POLITICS AND WEEKENDS IN PARIS
April 25, 2017
Bonjour,
It's Day 99 abroad and I have a mere 48 days to go before my feet touch down on american soil once more. It's strange to think that I have finished two-thirds of my time here. Rewatching my old video journals, I recall the doubt and isolation I felt in my first few weeks here. Now, as I look ahead at my quickly approaching journey home, I predict...
PARIS HOLDS THE KEY {TO MY HEART}
May 2, 2017
Bonjour,
With today being the second of May, both my feet are firmly in the last full month that I will be spending abroad (at least, for now). I've spent the past week studying for upcoming exams and daydreaming about the remaining adventures I have planned. This past weekend, I joined a friend for a lovely weekend in Paris and took in the city like a true tourist.
If you haven't been to Paris (or a big city like Paris), you probably won't know...
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
May 8, 2017
Bonjour!
First, I must announce that the new president of France will be Emmanuel Macron and not Marine Le Pen! You, as an American or person of another nationality, might be wondering "Why does this matter?" and to that I will answer: It matters because what is happening on the other side of the world DOES matter. Even if you are unable to see the events, even if they don't directly affect you, it matters to be aware and informed. Of course, I cannot claim...
![IMG_2515[1].JPG](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/510d21_cad8aa2ed2054d588e49cf4550a2694a~mv2.jpg/v1/crop/x_413,y_0,w_811,h_1200/fill/w_460,h_680,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/IMG_2515%5B1%5D_JPG.jpg)
I'M COMING HOME A MERMAID. BLAME FRANCE.
May 16, 2017
Bonjour,
Here in France, the days are finally getting warmer, and the school year is coming to an end. I have only two exams that stand between now and the freedom of summer break (and Italy!!). While this is exciting, I am also sadly watching each day slip by, knowing I must leave this country soon and head home...
![IMG_2746[1].JPG](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/510d21_986fd3fb99ea4750adb33925ac5bfe24~mv2.jpg/v1/crop/x_396,y_0,w_783,h_1273/fill/w_460,h_780,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/IMG_2746%5B1%5D_JPG.jpg)
EVERY ENDING IS A NEW BEGINNING
May 31, 2017
Bonjour,
A lot has happened within the past two weeks. I finished my exams and have enjoyed the now-pleasant weather that has come with summer "vacance" (though the chill in the air is comparable to springtime back home). Now, I sit in my bare-bones dorm room, writing to you one last time from France. My semester here has come to an end, and in an hour, I will leave the place I have called home for the past few months. The is a bittersweet time for me, because I know I will miss this place-and not just that. The people I've met during my time here have been the best part about studying abroad..
WHO AM I? I'M {WANDER} WOMAN!!
September 16, 2017
Hey, everybody!!
My name is Albrianna Jenkins. I returned from my semester abroad in France a little over three months ago, and time sure has flown by! Within that time, I have been preparing to take up my position as Study Abroad Ambassador Co-Chair, which is (by far) the most exciting title I’ve ever assumed! (Anything to do with being abroad is, am I right?!)
What I am most excited to share with you all is just a taste of my LIFE-CHANGING EXPERIENCE about how I became a superhero.