Lost in Translation For the first time in 10 days, I am homesick. I get this feeling every time I feel uncomfortable or vulnerable. It makes me want to crawl into a huge hole and escape from stress. But that never helps, does it? So I'm toughing this one out. I started classes this week at CEFAM and I generally like all of them. Somehow, I got placed in the Advanced French class and it's a small and intimate four-student class (three of them which have French a...

Enjoying My Down Time Today marks the one week mark of being in Lyon. How can that be? I feel like I have already been here for a month, at the least. I feel comfortable enough taking the train by myself, traveling to nearby cities, ordering baguettes at a local boulangerie, starting conversations with locals, taking care of logistics, and being in the company of my fellow American students. Since the previous entry (which you can read if you click the tab of d...

The Amazing Race I have never seen an episode of this show, but one of my teammates pointed out that our scavenger hunt was turning into Real World: Lyon vs. The Amazing Race. Today was an exhausting, yet worth every second (even after the 4-hour trek around Lyon) kind of experience. Paul & Sharon (the most well-humored couple, and also equipped with the kindest hearts) prepared an activity for us after our orientation to get to know the city better, and als...

Goals & First Impressions Goals: Keep an open mind. Be flexible. Learn how to speak and write French fluently. Meet new people. Try new things. Keep an optimistic attitude in all types of situations. Participate in stimulating class discussions. Travel and explore. Strengthen communication skills. Indulge and splurge when deserved. Build healthy relationships. Expand my horizons. Learn to adapt to new surroundings. Maintain good grades. Manage time wisely. ...

Introduction Bonjour! Je m'appelle Allison Rhee. J'ai 20 ans et je suis une etudiante de Northeastern Universite. I have been given the opportunity to study abroad for a semester in the beautiful city of Lyon, France. Before I speak further about my experience so far, I would like to introduce you to Lyon. Lyon is the gastronomic capital of France with a lavish table of piggy-driven dishes and delicacies to savor, and a fabulous bounty of eating spaces in whic...