Sunday was the first day everyone in our program was together. To welcome us to the city without overwhelming us, IES Abroad took us to lunch, and after, we went on a bus tour. Everyone in our program met at the building where IES Abroad is located. Everyone’s host parents walked them there which was adorable since we were (and still are) so clueless. Once everyone arrived, we took mini-buses to three stops.

Original Photo by Author

Two Lovers:

During my last couple weeks in Berlin meine Eltern (my parents) visited me for 8 days. We did several things in and outside of Berlin, including 2 bike tours (one of Berlin and one of Potsdam), visiting my favorite restaurants and my classrooms, watching the world cup at Fan Mile, and visiting one of Berlin’s many nearby lakes- Flakensee.

My last days in Arles. It hasn’t seemed real that the summer is finally coming to a close until now. “Profiter Bien!” (which means to benefit) from our last few days, everyone said. I found myself just walking the streets a lot in my last hours here, taking in the sights and familiar faces I have come to know so well. A last look at the Théâtre Antique, a last afternoon passed in the park, a last ice cream at Soleileis (the best ice cream in Arles, if I do say so myself), a last Saturday morning market to buy peaches and olive bread.

This is a multiple of things, like a piece of work for my video production class, an entry into the IES Abroad film festival, but most importantly a reflection on my time and changes as a person whilst studying abroad.