The First Chapter

When people ask me how I feel about studying abroad in France, I struggle to find the correct word to use. I have been telling people "I'm excited!" but that doesn't seem to do the feeling justice. I am utterly elated at the thought of living an entire year in an unfamiliar country, spending each and every day learning countless new things, whether about French culture and language or about myself.

I suppose this would be a good time to introduce myself, even though my English teachers are probably wincing at my less than stellar transition between paragraphs. My name is Natalie and I am going to be studying abroad in France with AFS my junior year of high school. I have two brothers, Zach and Ryan, and they insisted that I include their names on my blog! I have a cat named Piper, too. I am very involved in theatre. I direct a middle school show every year, perform in a play and a musical, and help with two other middle school productions. I play tennis for my school and I am number 3 singles. My tennis team consists of some of my best friends, and I'll miss them dearly! In the summer, I am on swim team, and I have been since I was 8 years old. I wouldn't say I'm very good at much except the breaststroke! One of my best friends and I are in Ski Club and we probably ski once a week in the winter. I am in my school's branch of the statewide Youth and Government club. I live in Pennsylvania, which is in the United States (for reference for those outside of the States!), but September will bring a new life, a new country, a new language, a new normal. I will have taken up to French IV by the time I'm on program.

When I was awarded the Speedwell Scholarship, I couldn't accept it fast enough! I'm very grateful to have this opportunity available to me! I poured every ounce of my being into the essays for the scholarship! I spent hours typing, re-typing, and revising my essays! Words can not eloquently describe how thankful I am to the Speedwell Foundation! I've always known I wanted to study abroad, but having others confirm that by awarding me the scholarship reconfirms that studying abroad was is what I'm meant to do.

Regarding the title of the blog, Frenchieville, I picked it for one reason. My grandpa calls me, France, and just about anything related to studying abroad "Frenchieville". Yes, I think it's silly and cute, but I will never  call France "Frenchieville" while abroad!

Where do I stand in the program currently? Well, I have officially been accepted by AFS-USA and I've been awarded the Speedwell Scholarship, so my tuition is paid, but I still must be accepted by AFS-France. I was told over and over not to worry about it, as the AFS staff doesn't think there is any reason that I could not be accepted. It seems to be more of a formality. This is reassuring, but the thought that I may not be able to go to France is intimidating. I'm confident in myself and my application, so I should be good to go! The entire feeling is so surreal!

I can't wait for more AFS events along the way so I can be one step closer to September 1st, the day I am officially on-program with AFS! I already have a countdown clock going! From March 26, 2013, I have to wait 158 days until I'm on program! Right now, it seems so far away, but it will be here in the blink of an eye!

I feel like a little kid in the back seat of the car on a long car trip, constantly bugging, "Are we there yet?" and trying to go to sleep so I can wake up and already be there! I don't know about you, but I think five months is a little too long to sleep through!

I don't want my last few months in the United States to slip right through my fingers, but they need to hurry a little!