Recently Instagram recommended I attend a weekend getaway in the Netherlands with a relatively new initiative called the “Offline Club.” The accompanying reel showed a group of content, happy looking people lounging on blankets with books in the grass; people smiling at one another while peeling oranges in a naturally-lit kitchen; a trio out on a walk in the fields, gazing ponderously at the sky and the highland cows, and, if that wasn’t already enough: people gathered around a long natural-wood table laden with fresh, local (very healthy: probably vegan) dishes.

With only a week left in Nice, I am feeling full of gratitude and nostalgia. 

My appreciation for the South of France has grown exponentially in the month of April. The sun is shining each and every day. The streets are lively. Everything is a bit more crowded, and I love it. It has been amazing to see the transition from emptiness and short days to tourists aplenty and 8pm sunsets. 

I’ve known for the past several years that I wanted to study in Spain.

For even longer, I have known that I wanted to study abroad in a Spanish-dominant country. The primary goal of my semester overseas was always to increase, as much as humanly possible, my Spanish exposure and abilities.

This past Friday I found myself with something unusual: a whole day of free time. Now, I am an introvert, so spending time by myself is not something that I ever try to avoid, but usually I like to spend my “me-time” wrapped up in blankets, watching TV in my bed. However, this week was different. I’m leaving London in about a week and I didn’t want to waste a day inside. Not to mention it was absolutely beautiful outside. So, I decided to fill my day with as much solo activities as I could (while also spending as little money as possible).

If you are a newbie travel planner like me but still want to see a new area of Argentina, then you should definitely participate in the trips hosted by IES! Early April, we took a trip to Jujuy, which is a province North of Argentina near the Bolivian border and near the Salta province. I would no doubt put this trip as one of my highlights and I wanted to share what Jujuy was like (for those looking to go), and also give a run down of what an IES trip looks like! (Spoiler alert, it’s super fun, well organized, and memorable!)

Last Monday, as the puffy clouds sparkled and the sun warmed the terrace, I learned the Spanish word for “relay race” (relevos). It was field day, and the school patio was swarming with elementary schoolers under the gaze of their teachers, plus me and a few other volunteers. I listened, shepherding six-year-olds into lines and reminding them to pay attention, as the teacher laid out the structure of the relay race, and then I inevitably explained the rules again as they sprinted back and forth across the pavement.

So, what is so appealing about Shallstadt? Everything! Having the chance to visit quite a few times, we learn something new every time. First off, how did we discover this charming little town? Running! Both of us are avid runners and had the opportunity to explore the town through training for the Freiburg marathon. As we move from Stuhlinger to St. Georgen, and then finally to Schallstadt, we will take you through our journey.

The Countryside

Learning a second language is not just about memorizing vocabulary and grammar rules; it's about immersing yourself in a new world and embracing a different culture. The journey to fluency can be challenging but definitely incredibly rewarding. Here are several strategies that have helped me learn Spanish faster and more efficiently. 

1. Immerse Yourself in the Language Through Music and Films