As I procrastinate on my packing for SoFra (South France) I am thinking about my hopes and expectations on what the experience will bring. Typically the thought of studying abroad brings expectations of traveling to neighboring countries, wild nights with fellow students, and getting lost in a country where you don’t speak the language. I am going into this program very blindly in my opinion. Having studied Spanish until this past fall 2014, I thought I would be studying abroad in a Spanish speaking country but am now instead going to Aix-en-Provence, France. Due to me needing to stay with the company I work for, I applied for a work visa and will attempt to work at a store in Marseille, which is about 30 minutes by train. I hope that I can balance school, work, and travel with friends. The number one question I keep getting asked is if I am excited about going to France, at this moment the answer is no because I am still trying to get everything lined up for a smooth transition upon arrival. I am the type of person to wait until last minute to do everything so I am now rushing to complete all the tasks I need to. Come Saturday morning when I land in Marseille, I should have a changed mindset and be very excited for the semester abroad.
