10 Days Until Departure!

     WOW! Never before did I think I would have ever seen the day where I would be writing this post! It seemed like just days ago I was sitting in English, my favorite class, trying so desperately hard to pay attention, but was really just writing down my 97 day countdown in my agenda! (Sorry Woz :) Oh and by the way Joyeux Noël! (Merry Christmas in French) I hope all of you had a fantastic holiday!
     Okay, so back to the recent events. ***Remember, I pledged to tell the truth, so some of this may be brutally honest.*** First off, I am finished with school in the US! My last day was incredibly cinematic, especially since it was the last day before holiday break. We mostly had parties or watched movies, although I did have a test, and a couple of fun things happened throughout the day as well. My favorite moment was when all of my friends from concert band played Christmas tunes throughout 7th period. It was at that moment that I realized I wasn't just going to miss my family or Camilla, but I was going to miss all of those familiar faces I have grown to cherish immensely.
       For all of you planning to study abroad, do it. I just know it is going to be incredible. Although, be prepared for the intense emotion that comes with it as well. I cannot possibly describe in words how grateful and blessed I am to have this experience, but even the preparation for this journey comes with challenges as well. I have had moments where I cannot believe I am even doing this myself, moments of pure shock. There are other time however where I run around the house jumping up and down just from a message I received from my host family, and am trying to figure out how I can stand to be in the US for even just ten more days when I know France is waiting for me! Here's the brutally honest part, I am also so incredibly nervous, anxious and scared about this whole journey as well. I have had moments where I can't focus because I am sitting thinking of the "what if,..." scenarios, or get a little teary (okay you got me I cry, hard) thinking of how I am going to leave my family, and my other half, Camilla, behind. For all of you future exchange students reading this, please don't even think twice about turning back. From everything I have read or everyone I have talked to, this is completely normal. I just know I can do this because I was brave and dedicated enough to even go through this process in the first place, and that is such an incredible feeling.
      I think that's something beautiful I am already learning about study abroad. I never expected this to be easy, I know I am going to have some absolutely miserable days, but I also am certain that I will have some fantastic days, and some incredible revelations like this one now, that will be so worth all of the struggle. I have already met some incredible people through study abroad who I can relate to on a whole new level intellectually. I have already learned so much more about myself and my friends. I have already looked at the US in a whole new way. I have already learned more about language, and I haven't even left yet.....and I can't wait to learn more.   :)
      Joyeux Noël!
    ~Sarah Adams

School Information

Okay so today I got an email back from my host mom, Noëlle, who seems awesome! I found out a few things from them... First, they got information from my lycée (high school). I am going to be in 1ere Littéraire (Literature), which I was really hoping for. For those of you who don't know, that's JUNIOR YEAR (all based on the lit track)! I'm a sophomore! Ahhh! But at least I don't have to take the Sciences course (goodluck Casey :)Also, I am going to be in theater as well! How cool! Plus, I get to bike or walk to school everyday! I know it will be freezing, but I am really looking forward to it! I also found out I will be there first long term host student, they have had other exchange students before, but not one for 6 months. (I am so honored!) They also helped me out with a few other questions I had for them.
I am really looking forward to meeting my host family! I don't think I could have even imagined a more perfect family for me! It is so hard to be in school right now because I have 10 days left, and I just want to go! The being in the middle is the hardest part about this final stretch, but I know in just a few weeks I will be missing home so much!
I guess that's it for now. Only 25 days until departure!

(This one's for you Gio)

Ciao!

~Sarah

Tis the Season... to get ready to leave!

Hey Guys!
So I know I haven't posted in a while but here goes...
First, I got my visa! I was actually really nervous about that because that would have messed up my whole trip BIG TIME if I didn't get it.
Secondly, I only have 31 days until I leave! I am at the point where I feel like my body is in the US, but my heart is in France, as strange as this sounds. Although, I only have 15 days of school left! I am doing my best to wrap everything up, but balancing my US responsiblities, and my study abroad responsiblities is not as easy as it sounds.
I am so excited to go, (although I am really going to miss my friends and family!) But I know they will be there when I get back, and I need to go enjoy the experience of a lifetime!
Finally, I recently had a conference with my study abroad program on this global student course we are doing which is pretty cool. Also, my program started a facebook page for all the kids leaving in January, which is so helpful! I have actually been talking to this girl named Casey, who is flying over to france with me, and she seems so cool!
Until later I guess this is it for now.
A bientôt!
~Sarah

80 Days Until Departure

Bonjour!
Today marks the 80th day until I leave. I am super excited, but I have come to a few realizations.
1) Reading books in straight french is HARD. As obvious as this sounds, it sort of shocked me. In French class we are reading Le Petit Nicolas. There is a substantial amount I understand, but in some of the stories I am just thinking, "Woah, what just happened!" Very obvious, but also completely true.
2) I am really going to miss my familly. Again, very obvious, but as each days passes, I think I notice it more and more.
3) Okay so I lied, these are ALL obvious but anyways, it is so much harder to communicate in a language that is not your first language. I have been emailing my host family and I want to say something, but now I have to think of a whole new way to phrase it using my French knowledge.

This brings me to my next point... My host family seems amazing! I have been emailing them and I am so excited to meet them! They are even trying to get me in a theater class in my lycee (French high school) and possibly piano lessons outside of class, how cool is that? Wait I know, VERY cool!

I guess thats all I have for now.
Until next time...
~Sarah

Host Family Info!

Hello Again!
So as some of you may know I got my host family information on Monday, October 3rd. I am living with a family in Normandie, France (or Normandy in English). My host parents Noëlle(the mother) and Nicolas (the father) seem incredibly kind and helpful. I will also be living with their children, and my host siblings, Baptiste and Eva. Baptiste is a 4 year old boy and Eva is a 2 year old girl (and they are ADORABLE!). This family seem like the perfect family for me, and I am so excited to speak to them (I plan on e-mailing them for the first time after I am finished with this post). We also have a lot of common interests like biking, hiking, outdoorsy things, and music. I am so lucky to have such a cool host family! For more information, please ask me! I am happy to share more, but I want to make sure I am using good internet safety. :) That's all for now!
A bientôt!
~Sarah

* I also have information about my school and the city I will live in (it seems amazing), feel free to ask!

Just the Beginning...

Hello!
     My name is Sarah and I am sophomore in high school preparing to study abroad in France for the spring semester of 2012. For those of you who don't know me, please enjoy this blog that I hope to update as much as I can, and I hope you can learn indirectly through my experiences as well. For those of you who do know me, thank you for taking the time to read my blog, I hope it can give you some insight as to what I am doing, thinking, and seeing in France. I apologize in advance for the countless errors this blog will probably have :) I am not a really techy girl but I'll do my best!
     So as some of you may know I was accepted by Ayusa on September 30th into their program. After filling out an INSANE application (both in French and English), sending ridiculous amounts of emails, and after recently completing my 2 hour interview, I am so glad and fortunate to have this opportunity. I don't know much of the specifics of my trip yet, but I should be getting my host family information very soon. What I do know is that I depart from the US on January 5th, 2012.
     I am both incredibly excited and fantastically terrified to go abroad. I have never left the US before, but I am so excited and ready to learn! I can't wait to learn about all that France has to offer, but I also know I am going to miss all of my friends and family back at home.
    So I guess that's it for now. I can't really think of anything else to write but when it comes to me I'll let you know!
    Thanks for all the love and support thus far,
    Sarah Adams