All Questions Answered.

So, I'm pretty sure people have questions about what I am doing so I think I'm going to try and answer all of them.

Q: What in the hell are you doing?
A: I am going to study abroad in France for 10 months. Yes, France. 3628+ miles away from home. About a 9 hour plane ride and a short train ride.

Q: What made you do this?
A: I have always talked about going somewhere in high school for a year. Originally, in middle school it was Seattle, WA. Mainly because I was born there. My mom's very good friend, Lena, went to an all girls catholic school and they both thought it would be cool to send me there. Well, although I did like the idea of that, if you know me at all you know I'm not exactly into the whole religion thing. I don't have any problem with people who are, it's just not for me. Anyways, I thought it would be cool when I grew up to live in Europe. So that thought has sat in my head for a while. Then, one day while talking to my aunt, she mentioned a girl she knew trying to get a job in the Switzerland/France area. She was a Duke University graduate, the only thing holding her back was she was not fluent in French. *LIGHTBULB* So I spent a good week looking for a program that wasn't too expensive, but yet gave me a full on experience of another culture. I found it.

Q: What is the program? How did you find it?
A: CIEE, Council on International Educational Exchange. Google :)

Q: Where are you going? And for how long...
A: Amiens, France. August 24, 2010-June 18, 2011.

Q: Oh you can come home for holidays, right....
A: Not at all. They strongly encourage people to stay in their host country for holidays. Not only for the full experience, but also because it is normal to come home and not want to return.

Q: Are your parents going to come and see you?
A: Of course. I'm pretty sure they are coming Christmas Day, after they open all the presents :). And Spring Break, which funny enough is right at my birthday!

Q:Have you met your host family?
A: No, I have not. I have talked to them on the phone one time and communicated a couple through email. They are really sweet.

Q: Do they have kids?
A: Yes, two. Heloise, 17 and Guillame, 15.

Q:How many years of french have you taken?
A: ONE. Yes, I will be extremely confused for a while.

Q: School?
A: Yep. A Public French school, well, Lycee (french word for high school). Meaning, all classes in french, math, science, history, everything.

Q: Are you nervous?
A: Yes extremely. I am going somewhere I technically have never been. Although I have been to Paris, I do not consider it the same. I think about it as Paris is the NYC of France. Amiens is the Durham. Also my lack of French will haunt me, I won't have any blood relatives there and I only know the Family I will be staying with.

Q: Do you really think you will go through with this?
A: HELL YES. Although I'm really nervous about everything and scared out of my mind. I know this is the best thing I am going to do with my teenage life.

Q: What do you think will be the hardest thing about you going?
A: The plane ride. I tend to be emotionally impacted by the music I listen to. If i hear a depressing song on that plane ride, I am going to be toast. Nine hours of nothing but thinking. I know I will be excited out of my mind but I really think everything will hit me when the recycled germy air is being shot back on to my face and my music is screaming I'll miss you.

Q: You know when you come home everything will be different won't it?
A: Of course I know that. A year is a really long time for nothing to change. Especially my sisters. I will miss them SO much. Anne Marsh will be a actual teenager when I come back. I'l miss her 13 birthday :( and Davie, oh Davie. She will be 4! And like an actual person. My friends, I know that they will change and be different but I mean I'm going to be different too! Everything will be fine :)

Q: How many suit cases can you take?
A: TWO. but I can fit in both :)


Q: You have a lot of stuff, what are you taking?
A: Everything I can fit in those bad boys. But I won't be taking toiletries, hair stuff body wash, lotion, stuff like that I can get there. But I am taking my makeup!! Overweight fees are going to be ridiculous, sorry mom and dad :p

Q: Shouldn't you be cleaning your room preparing for France right now?
A: Yeah, probably :)

Got a Question? Post it on a comment!

:) Bailey