22 Days, but who's counting?!

Hi

On August 19th at 7:15, I will be departing Chicago for 4 months to live in Paris, France to study abroad for my fall semester. I have set up this blog to share my experiences, stories, and pictures to everyone back in the states to read, see and, hear about.

I knew I always wanted to study abroad, thanks to my family traveling everywhere since I was little, including when I was in my mother's womb. My school had an informational meeting in the fall educating its students of all the study abroad programs possible. At first I thought about visiting Australia, Asia, maybe Germany, but then the professor giving the lecture told us about their 'Paris Program'. IIT has a studio located in central Paris (9th arrondissement) for appx. 20 students each semester to come out to and study. An IIT professor, Jerry Horn, and his wife Carol, have been living out there for years, giving this experience to IIT students. I immediately fell in love with this idea, and did what I could to make it happen.

On November 17th, 2008, my application was due for the IIT 2009-2010 Paris Program, which I found out shortly after I was accepted into. Ever since then I've been dreaming all day: in class, at work, in my sleep, about living in Paris and being able to soak in the European lifestyle. It may only be 4 months, but these 4 months are obviously a chapter in my life I'll never, ever forget.

I will be living in a two bedroom apartment - in the 10th arrondissement - with two roommates, Priyanka and Mihee - in la Place Republique. The location of this apartment is beyond amazing, being one block from major transportation, two blocks from the Republique monument, and two blocks the otherway from the Canal St. Martin. This location is described as "one of the most peaceful, romantic places in Paris". Ooh lala!! Now I need to find Jean Pierre. (Just kidding! I will be doing absolutely nothing but studying!)

In December this opportunity seemed unreal. It is now less than a month away to my departure date, and I've never had a bigger smile on my face. The process has been tedious and stressful this summer getting ready; obtaining a visa by filling out 23492387 forms in French and attending 198739289034 meetings, and searching through 932847 apartments online. I've finally managed to check off those things on my list, and now all that is left is to go 'back to school in Paris' shopping! I'll try not to get too stressed out over that one though... In the meantime I am trying to take full advantage of my summer here. On August 7th the whole darn Waterloo family is trucking out to Arcadia National Park in Maine for a camping trip. I return the 17th, pack and get a fresh new hair cut on the 18th, and blow the US of A kisses goodbye. Baguettes and red wine, here I come!

B


8-17-09 edit:

Flickr website is very tricky regarding uploading pictures. I will upload a few good ones onto this blog each time I update, but if you want my true photo journal, add me on facebook!