And so it begins...

Today (well, yesterday, but I felt too ill to do it then) started all the paperwork and fuss that comes with a year abroad. The ERASMUS programme is great, and I definitely couldn't do my year abroad without the funding it provides, but, boy, do they love their paperwork! After being handed a file with about 20 different sheets of paper that all need to be signed and stamped by appropriate people at appropriate times at both my university, Exeter, and the international office at my host university, Grenoble, I can't say I'm looking forward to doing all of it. But it's only one small part of my year abroad, and there are going to be many other things to look forward to.

I also spent today researching things like accommodation and living costs in Grenoble on thirdyearabroad.com, which I can see becoming a staple in my life in the lead-up and during my year abroad! However, I'm not sure if looking stuff up has scared me more, or made me more excited. Reading about girls' experiences with 'les jeunes' and 'la racaille' has panicked me a little bit, but others haven't posted anything about it, so surely it can't be that bad? And reading about the skiing and cafés has put a little smile on my face. Any input or advice from anyone would be appreciated, whether you think it'll be helpful or not!

Justine
xo

Hello World. Justine here.

Okay, so. Hello Internet! 

I've been meaning to start a blog or something along this line for a while, but my every other attempt has ended in either forgetting to post anything, or just plain forgetting my password after leaving it too long! But with everything that's gonna be happening over the next year and a bit, I want to track it, and let everyone know what's going on with me, no matter where I am in the world.

So what will be happening with me? Well, next year I'll be studying at Stendhal III, Université de Grenoble, in the Rhone-Alpes region of France, as part of my course as a French and Spanish lanuages student (excitement!). But before that, I'll be travelling even further afield, to Australia! (France isn't that far for me, really, as a UK citizen). My parents have just moved out there, so my plan for the summer is to head out there and see them, and spend my 2 months off hanging on beaches in Townsville, Queensland, Australia (even more excitement!).

But even before that I have visas and ERASMUS paperwork and accommodation and flights and travel to sort out, so this will be documenting that as well as my adventures and fun once I get out there! And you lucky people get to be a party to this, so enjoy the madness and the fun and the general shenanigans that'll be happening in my life over the next year and a bit.

Justine
xo