AFS Italy : Chandini

Bella Italia! If there was one word that I'd use to describe Italy, that would be it. Bella Italia! It means beautiful Italy. This trip enabled me to truly step out of my comfort zone as I ventured into a foreign land, meeting unfamiliar people and communicating in a foreign language. For the first time in my life, I got to experience, first hand, living with an Italian family and indulging in exquisite Italian cuisine. For the first time in my life, I got to live as an Italian. The year 2009 was definitely a very memorable year for me as I got to live in the very beautiful and romantic Italy.

 My Italian Host Family

   New Year's Eve 09/10

  Up in the mountains

 Italian Cafe

    St. Peter Square with my amici.

 My Farewell Dinner

   My Classmates

   Exchange students from South Africa and Malaysia

Enza (my friend) turned 16

                                                        Fontana di Trevi

      Gelato!!!!! The best ever from Giolitti's

The Colloseum

 Italians are one of the warmest people I've ever met. This whole journey has been great for me. I now technically have two homes to go to and I know that they are always there for me. Despite the communication problems I had, it was still a great experience. I never let the communication problem come in between us. This 2-month adventure was definitely worthwhile and I have NO regrets going for this programme. 

AFS France: Mae Yune

My two-month (December 2009 - Jan 2010) experience in France was one of the best decisions I've made. I was one of the few selected people who were able to participate in this AFS student exchange program. When a golden opportunity like this came knocking at my door, who was I to refuse? So now I'd like to share with you a glimpse of the mesmerizing and sophisticated France through my eyes.

#1: AFS Orientation in Paris 

 

Participants from all around the world

 

Getting ready for Christmas

 

Champs-Élysées: A prestigious avenue in Paris

 

The Eiffel Tower

(Didn't need to tell you what this was, did I?)

#2: Home (A Quaint Village known as Bessy)

 

Backyard after a day of continuous snowing

 

I was lucky to catch a glimpse of deer.

 

One of the neighbours' house 

 

The lake nearby which I frequently enjoyed cycling to 

 

Cycling with my host sister, Marion

 

 Pumpkin from the garden

#3: School

 

The school bus

 

The cafeteria 

 

The school compound 

 

The class

#3: Out & About

 

During the 2-week Christmas break, I spent a week skiing at Valmeinier, Savoie.

 

Christmas! 

 

On the way back to Bessy, we stopped by to visit the relatives of my host which was at Grenoble. 

The scenery there was magnificent.

In the month of January, I was taken to many wonderful museums. 

I had a very enjoyable adventure in France. I urge others to consider giving this programme a try!

AFS France: Carmen Khoo

During the months of December 2009-January 2010, I was in France for a student exchange programme which I enjoyed immensely.

I would like to share some pictures on this blog, mainly those I've taken of the picturesque places I've been to, and the beautiful effect the snow has on everything it falls on.

(On the side note, it's freeeeezing!)

My host family and I during Christmas 
at my host grandparents' place

My host sister (younger by a year) and I
during the New Year's Eve dinner

Chateau d'Azay-le-Rideau - 

absolutely beautiful place located in Tours

 Another part of the castle
Taken from my host grandparents' 
front garden:

 

 

The view from my bedroom window

Snow, snow and more snow

The interior of one of the many
beautiful Roman Catholic cathedrals
(Location: Poitiers)

 La Rochelle

Greetings from China France (Niort)
The pictures below were taken during my skiing trip :

Second day of arrival Eiffel Tower 
The trip has been nothing but wonderful. The experiences I've had, the people I've met, the places I've been to and the amazing little things make this trip truly worthwhile.

There are definitely more things in life that you can learn outside the classroom. The boundaries are endless and it's up to you to seek them out. (And no, I'm not encouraging you to skip classes.)

Stay tuned for Chandini's trip to Italy and Mae Yune's trip to France! :)