Nadia B. and Elise in France!

Bonjour from Saint Étienne, France. Je m’appelle Nadia B, and my human companion Elise and I have been living in France for 2 months now.  It is crazy how time has flown by, but Elise and I are glad that we have a whole year to do and see everything. Elise is currently attending classes at three separate places! She takes musicology classes at the Université de Jean Monnet, French intensive classes at the International Center for Language and Civilization (a small part of the university) and she also takes composition lessons at the Conservatoire Massenet in Saint Étienne.

Nadia B. enjoys the view of St. Etienne near the residence building

But I’m getting ahead of myself.  At the end of August, Elise, her mom and I arrived in Paris.  We enjoyed the sights of Paris, soaking the excitement in.  Eiffel Tower, Musée d’Orsay, Notre Dame, Sacre-Coeur and Père Lachaise Cemetery.  I think Elise’s favorite part though was the Musée Rodin, beautiful gardens and sculptures, but also not as busy as the rest of Paris.  

Eiffel Tower

 

Elise at the Musée Rodin, the Thinker

  

After that, we all went to St Etienne.  Elise found her counselors and her new residence hall.  The reason there is such a great view is that it is on top of a hill that overlooks the town, but that hill can feel more like a mountain when you have all your belongings in suitcases.  The room that Elise lives in now is small (as are most things in Europe), but she has made it feel nice.  

Elise settled in nicely, and met some other foreign students through her language intensive classes.  She has since traveled to nearby Lyon, Milan and Florence.

Traboules in Lyon are hidden passageways originally used for silk transport

Pont Vecchio in Florence

  

Elise’s favorite class is Choral conducting, which is taught in French with all other French students, but she enjoys having French explanations and words being shown with motions and activities.  Even though Elise is a vegetarian, she has been able to eat some classic French food, and share some with me.  There are crêpes, macaroons and croissants, but Elise and I love how much bread they eat here in France, and we love the bakery that is right down the hill from the residence hall. 

On the weekends, it is easy to travel to nearby towns.  The most recent trips Elise has made were to Geneva and Aix-les-Bains, which is a small town on Lac du Bourget, one of the largest and deepest lakes in France. 

The famous Jet d'eau in Geneva

Tree-lined walk in Aix-les-Bains

 

We are starting to feel fall already here in St Etienne, temperatures are at mid forties in the mornings, but it can still be very comfortable when the sun comes out.  Elise is just starting her Fall Break and has plans to go to Lyon again, then onto Brussels and Luxembourg. 

Elise is really happy here in France, and even though she misses home (and peanut butter) sometimes, study abroad has taught her so much already, and she can’t wait to learn more!

Au revoir!

Nadia B (and Elise Seifert)