This past fall I learned about an amazing opportunity. The history department of St. Cloud State University (SCSU), where I am currently a Public History Graduate Student, was leading a short-term study abroad trip to the South of France to study "Ancient & Medieval Southern France" and "Monuments and Memory in France". How cool would that be to be able to participate in something like this? I missed my chance to study abroad when I was an undergrad and it has been something I have wished I would have done ever since graduating six years ago. When else would I have the chance to live in another country, learn its customs and traditions, and truly experience another culture? I have begun that journey through participating in the Little Falls Sister City Committee and getting to know people from Le Bourget, France, but I want more. Oh how I wanted to go on this Study Abroad - but I had to overcome one major obstacle. The three weeks of the trip are the busiest three weeks of the season at the Charles A. Lindbergh Historic Site where I work. The end of May into early June is the transition period between school season and the regular touring season. I assumed that this would be the end of my hope, as I could not imagine my boss agreeing to me taking that much vacation at that time. Well you know what they say about assuming - and I could not have been farther from the truth about my boss' reaction. While he was not thrilled with the timing, he too loves traveling and experiencing other cultures and agreed that this would be an amazing opportunity for me. France was a reality.
After months of planning, I had an amazing experience abroad. My adventure began on May 17th, 2012, and I am so glad for each moment of it. I left behind the worries and cares (mostly anyways) of work and life in general and soaked up each moment with new friends in spectacular places. To not be in contact with the rest of the world 24/7 through internet and social media - provided a respite and reminded me that I can live without some of my favorite pieces of technology that have ever increasingly consume my time and energy. To go three weeks with only watching tv once, checking email when I could mooch some free wifi, and going cold turkey on facebook game - oh how wonderful. I traded them in for competitive games of Carcassonne, climbing mountains to discover ruins of medieval castles and cities.
Since so many wish to hear my tales of adventure, mishap, and fun - I figured a blog would be the easiest way to capture and share my experience and stories. So come along with me as I relive my adventure in Discovering Undiscovered France!
No comments:
Post a Comment