Tuesday Nights

Every Tuesday night all the students get together and have a party. Each week we have a new theme. For example: Tacky Tuesday, Black and White, Jersey Shore, Seven Deadly Sins, St Patty's. Everyone Starts the party right after classes are over. The Rooms are buzzing and the halls are full of laughing and talking. Once everyone get done the move form the abbey to the Bar is fast and at that point the party has begun. Tuesday party's aren't just there for us to get crazy. It is one of the few nights that we all can get together and have fun. We catch up of the crazy weeks before and the things that we have to get done for the classes ahead. We make memories and mark them with millions of photos. The Photo above is of the Jersey Shore party. I am so glad that we started this weekly hangout and get together. I am going to miss it so much when i get home. Some of my greatest memories are those that are made at the Tuesday night party's.

My Vision Quest: Food!

My vision quest was a little different than the rest of everyone's vision quests.
Now I can tell you that this has nothing to do with my vision quest but figured I'd mention one of the reasons why I decided to even study abroad on the Abbaye program. I can tell you that my experience here in Europe has been eye opening. In my family, the majority of my older cousins (I'm talking cousins removed as well) have studied abroad to all the different parts of the world. They have visited Ireland and Italy; France and Spain; Argentina along with China! In my immediate family I have seven other cousins and then my younger sister, Angelica so nine in total including me. Five of the nine grandchildren are younger than me. I was the first granddaughter born for my grandma and grandpa. So I have a group of younger generations below me looking up to me and expecting e to be their role model. So that's is one of my main reasons to study abroad. I wanted to follow in my older cousin's footsteps and at the same time hope to be setting an good example for my baby cousins and my sister.

Now to go on with my vision quest. Coming from a New York Italian family, I found it fitting to only do my Vision Quest on none other than food that I encountered in Europe!! The three countries I wanted to focus on was Italy, Spain, and of course, France.

In Italy I was able to experience some amazing Gelato and lasagna in Rome. Side note; it was hard to find chicken Parmesan so if you are in the mood for that don't go looking for it. You'll be on a wild goose chase. I loved Venice when it came to the people and the atmosphere but absolutely adored the food in Rome. One of my favorite moments in Rome involved me sitting at a Cafe with an espresso right in front of the Colosseum. I guess I'll admit having hot tea after having Easter Sunday mass at the Vatican was pretty epic too. I loved Italian food and I can't wait to go back later and try different foods from there in different regions that what I visited.

My next destination: Spain. The Spanish do have a different kind of food. But just as delicious. I was able to visit my best friend Laura who has grown up in the Basque country of Spain in the city called Bilbao. When I first arrived at Laura's home, her mom came up to me and embraced me. Her father put my suit case in Laura's room. Then as I walked into Laura's room, her mom followed us shortly after with a tray of coffee and flan. I knew I was set in the food department staying with this lovely host family. Every night, Laura's mother would make us amazing dishes. She would make fish dishes, dishes with red peppers. I was able to experience real authentic food; characteristic of Basque country Spain.

My main Destination is centered in France. In France I noticed that the French center their lives around carbs and the idea of a three course meal. I was lucky enough to be able to cook over 50 crepes for the Abbaye student body with my host dad. Talk about an experience for me. The deserts are exceptional and hard to pass up when you walk into a Patisserie. Food is such a delicacy here in France and definitely something that people should experience in their lifetime.

All these experiences in France and in Spain and Italy have made me come to realize that I have the power to take control of my life and see all the different parts of the world and it has allowed me to accept all different kinds of cultures and then allow myself to innovate these different attributes in these cultures into my life. I will bring these experiences back with me to my family and my cousins that I know look up to me.

My Vision Quest

I’ve always been a big dreamer, and ever since freshman year, traveling abroad with the Abbey program has been one of those big dreams. But after freshman year as a theatre major, I came back to “reality” (as my mother called it) and changed my major from something that I love—theatre-- to something that I’d like and make a living at. Switching my major to interior design really threw off the four year plans that I’d made when I started college, and because I’d already be behind in the design program, I made the decision to write The Abbey out of my four-year itinerary. Sophomore year began and I gave Interior Design all my effort. I loved it, and I wasn’t half bad either. I was excited for the next few years in the program. Then I met Dr. Mackaman. It wasn’t a typical “Study Abroad Informational Session,” at least I didn’t think it was. He came to my Business and Professional Speaking class as a “guest speaker” that we were assigned to analyze. When he introduced himself and explained that he was going to speak to us about The Abbey Program, the dreams of studying abroad rushed to the front of my mind. But knowing that it wasn’t practical or “realistic,” I pushed the dreams aside and pulled out a piece of paper so I could jot down notes about his presentation.

“Passionate. Emphatic. Uses his hands a lot.” These were all things that I wrote during his presentation. While I was trying desperately to focus on the assignment at hand, I couldn’t help but to feel compelled to have the experience that Dr. Mackaman was describing to the class. Eventually, I stopped taking notes and started listening. Really listening. Not so much to Dr. Mackaman’s description of Paris Week or Normandy, but listening to what I really wanted and what having that would mean. “Jordan, you can’t leave for a semester. A. You don’t have eight thousand dollars. B. You have responsibilities here in the States. And C. You will have to be in school two extra semesters to make up for what you’d miss.” I kept trying to talk myself out of the ridiculous idea that studying abroad for a whole semester was financially and academically justifiable. Then there came the emotional aspect of things: “How are you going to be away from your family for 3 months?? Are things going to be the same with everyone when you get back?? What if Maw Maw dies? You’d never forgive yourself for not being here.” All of these things, as trivial as they may seem, were troubling me for several days after Professor Mackaman’s presentation. I thought and prayed about it and made the decision to just do it. I paid the deposit on the program without even hinting anything to my parents, and then started applying for scholarships and working with financial aid. Everything started falling together. Except for one little detail; I hadn’t exactly told my parents. About a month after I paid the deposit, I invited them up to Hattiesburg and took them out to dinner. As smoothly as I possibly could, I said, “Mom, Dad, there’s something I need to tell you.” The looks on my parents faces read, “I’m gonna kill whatever boy got her pregnant” and “Dear God, where’s the tattoo.” I told them that I’d be spending the Spring semester studying in France (knowing asking for permission would’ve led to a big, fat NO), and they didn’t take it well. At all. But I knew they’d eventually come around, or at least I hoped so.

The week leading up to February 12^th is still a little fuzzy. I remember being alarmingly calm about the fact that I was about to move to a foreign country for three months. I packed (not well, might I add) and then at 3:30 AM on February 12^th, left for the airport. That’s when it hit me. “I’m really doing this.” When I got past security, I lost it. I was really leaving everything that I knew and loved behind for some ridiculous escapade in France. What an idiot. At this point, Charlotte, full of compassion, called me “cry pants” and threw a travel-size pack of tissues at me. We spent six dreadful hours in the Houston Airport, where I gave considerable thought to jumping a plane back home. At this point, I was pushing my comfort zone. In the past, dreaming big things had been easy and comfortable. But reaching those dreams? Frightening.

When we were told we’d be meeting with Dr. Mackaman about our “Vision Quests,” I had absolutely no idea what mine would be (mostly because I didn’t understand the concept.) When we were talking, much of what I said was “I’d love to dot dot dot, but I’m not really comfortable doing that.” We both came to the conclusion that stepping outside of my comfort zone was clearly going to be a task for me over the next couple of months.

Where as many people may have completed their vision quests over spring break, mine was/ has been a much more gradual process. Once I became comfortable here, I fell in love with France and all of Europe really. I began to step out of my comfort zone little by little, and I loved feeling so empowered. Because I loved it so much, I just knew I’d come back. “I could make a living over here,” I told myself. I was convinced that my heart belonged in Europe. I even told my mother that I was moving to France and possibly going to grad school in Paris. She took that news just about as well as she took my coming on the Abbey. I love my family, but didn’t really miss home. I was made for Europe, I thought. I thought I was so grown up.

When we set off for Paris Week, I was really excited and anxious to see all kinds of different places and excited to prove that I could live on my own (without my Abbey family) for a period of time. When Spring Break started, I was ready. Annah, Nathan, and I headed to Barcelona. After several days in Barcelona, Annah and I met up with Jenny and Elizabeth in Rome. After Rome came Florence. Then Vicenza, Venice, and Verona. Then back to the Abbey.

My spring break was definitely one to remember. It was full of laughter, tears, and special moments shared between now inseparable friends.

But looking back on Spring Break, and my time at the abbey, more than the beautiful scenery, attractive men, incredible instructors, and fun nights with friends, I’ll remember how much I learned—about myself and about life. Without testing friendships, I never would’ve learned how strong they truly are. I’ve learned to always seize the moment. I’ve realized how much you can learn if you stop talking and start listening. I know now that I need to stop taking myself so seriously and start believing in myself more. I know that I’m capable of anything I put my mind to and the dreams that I’ve had for so long don’t have to remain dreams forever. They have the possibility to become reality—Just like The Abbey. I’ve also learned that no matter what the future holds, whether it be singing and dancing my way onto Broadway, having my own design show on HGTV, or living my life in a small town, I’ll be happy and able to flourish as long as I’m with the people I love.

I never would have thought before coming on this trip that I’d be able to accomplish the things that I have. Coming here has impacted my life so drastically, and I can sincerely say that I will never be the same. This ancient Abbey will always hold a special place in my heart, as will each and every one of you here. We’ve all experienced something very special and almost magical, something I can never ever forget.

--Jordan Randall

Free hugs 6 & 24 March 2010 Eiffel tower.

Never thought in a million years that i would be on a youtube vid!!! the man is on to something. this world is missing so much love and a free hug and can restore that love! im down for giving free hugs!!

Vision Quest

Your Vision Quest is something your asked to discover during Orientation. It can be about what your going to get out of this experience, what you learn from this experience really just something personal and impacting. When I sat down with DMack (Doug Mackaman) I had know idea what my "Vision" Quest would be but I think a long the way I figured it out.


Here it is,

Comming along on this trip was something I never thought would happen. I knew that somehow it would fall through along the way. Coming across the country to live for three months away from everything I know and recognize is tough for anyone but for me it seemed impossible. If it wasn't for my really wonderful friend Amanda I probably would never have made it. It seemed like she was packed and ready to go the minute we heard about the Abbey Program in our always riveting government class. I saw the excitement and courage in her and I knew than I wouldn't let this opportunity pass me by because I was scared. I instantly knew it was something I not only wanted to do but had too. Just like anything in life, it wasn't easy to tell my parents that next semester I would be going 5,000 miles away to go to school, to get all the never ending paperwork done, figure out what classes corresponded to my major and somehow have some money to spend. Next thing I knew it was February and I was on my way.

If there is anything I have learned to be so true on this trip it's that attitude more than anything determines your experiences. Since we landed in Charles de Gaulle airport nothing has been easy. I remember walking out of the airplane excited and tired all at once and trying to remember some of the passengers faces so we could find baggage claim. We grabbed a luggage cart and waited till the very last suitcase made its rounds on the conveyer belt twice only to solidify what was going through our minds our luggage was lost. It was this event that leads me to my first experience speaking some sort of French. We walked into a room to speak to a lady about our lost luggage and for some reason I forgot that she didn't really speak English. I tried to mumble and describe what our luggage looked like and then she asked where we were going, a few more mumbles and confused faces later we agreed on something, at that moment I knew I was really in for something.

After what seemed like the longest bus ride of my life we finally arrived at the Abbey, put our luggage in our room and made our way to Le Commerce. I remember Jessica Lamb saying that this was the place we would be eating at everyday and most likely hanging out all the time which has never sounded so true. The one thing that sticks out in my mind the most is how LONG the walk felt to Le Commerce, I remember thinking "my God this is the longest walk ever, we are doing this everyday?"

I can truly say I have some really wonderful memories from the Abbey, there hasn't been one time during my stay that has made me regret the decision to come or to wish I had never to begin with. I have not only learned in an environment that allows me to live and practice what I am learning but to also see it. It's difficult to put into words how I feel about this place and the people I have met. Not only have I encountered some of the most beautiful, strong and kind-hearted people but I also got to personally share my experience with a really great friend and person. I hope that one day I can have as stong and as big of a heart as she does. Learning to grow and experience in a new environment with these people has been a priveledge I will cherish and remember for the rest of my life. I have gained a new appreciation for life and everything I have and I don't know if that is really sad that the Abbey helped me really know how blessed I am but it has. I have seen more things in my life than most people I know. I promised myself that in the beginning of this trip I would do everything I could to enjoy every moment I had here because to some people it will always be a dream but for me it was an incredible experience I got to live through.

When we had our meeting with Doug about our "Vision Quest" would be I wasn't really sure what that meant or what mine would be. I have always been the type of person to go with the flow and to never really complain about things that seem silly. Amanda and I always said to eachother before we got here was that we don't care where we go or who with, were in Europe and that is enough for us. Doug helped me realize my Vision may be to really be courageous, a little selfish and to speak up more even if it really isn't a big deal situation. I can say that I have learned what it means to be "courageous" in terms of traveling and to just let whatever happens happen. I have learned when it is important to speak up and know when it is okay to let it go. It sounds simple and maybe even silly but it is a lesson I have learned. I think my "Vision Quest" was appreciation; not to be confused that I didn't have any kind of appreciation to begin with but it is something different and wild to have to book a flight, bus or train, to find and decide on a place to stay, to agree with your fellow travelers on details, to catch a metro, to walk and walk and walk and then finally get to where ever your going stop and ask yourself why you wanted to go there to begin with and figure out what it means to you is exhausting and really difficult it pushes you to appreciate what your life, the places and people at home really mean to you. Really appreciating the places and landmarks I have seen in respect to the people who were here before me. Not only do I have a new appreciation for the many things in this world I have found a new appreciation for the most common things in my life. I am an incredibly blessed person and I realize how much my parents have sacrificed and given me.



I will never forget my time at the Abbey and how it has made me grow as a student and in a small but large way it has made me grow immensely as a person.

Surrounding Places

I have had an amazing time traveling since I stepped off that plane at Charles de Gaulle. Since I have been here I have been to London, Italy and Greece. I had the most amazing time in London it was my first big trip and I had a great time walking past Big Ben, riding the London Eye, seeing Parliament and everything else London has to offers! Especially the fish and chips! Italy and Greece have a very special place in my heart as well but LETS BE REAL I don't have a lot of money to be able to travel around every weekend so a lot of the time my friends and I will take little weekend trips to the towns nearby to go shopping have lunch or just have a mini adventure.
Blois is just a bus ride away 2euro there and back. It offers great shopping and great sandwiches! Blois is a really great day trip place to go. We leave about 8 or 12 in the morning and take the bus back around 5 but of course the bus schedule changes so make sure you check the schedule online before you head out.
Tours is another town nearby you can get there by train it has endless stores for shopping. Just about a whole street is dedicated to department stores. Tours is a good place to go if your in serious need of a new wardrobe or you just want to have a bigger place to explore with your friends. Tour was my first weekend trip and I had a great time but if you do decide to stay the weekend make sure you can check in to your hotel as soon as you get there. Not like my experience with my friends where we had to lugg our backpacks for four hours before we could check in and then had to checkout 6 hours before our train left. Is just about the least fun thing you can do.

This picture is of a few friends on a night out in Tours.

Ghost Walk

The Ghost Walk was this amazing production that the Abbey students and Administrators created where we told the legends and history of the town through costumes and props made out of plastic, empty tea bags and just about anything else we could find.

At first I thought It was an in-class assignment I had know idea it would turn out so well. Just about every student at the Abbey played a part whether it was playing a character, throwing tea bags, singing, lighting candles, a fairy like myself or being a speaker telling all the legends to the people of Pontlevoy or being backstage helping put it all together.

I am very proud to be a part of something that I felt really brought us students and the town closer together. It was important to show them we were interested in the town's history and the legends that it holds. Were not visitors in Pontlevoy anymore, I think I can speak for myself and the rest of my friends here and say the Abbey is our home and the town and its people are apart of our family.

Vision Quest

New friends in Venice!

Fun in Santorini!

I love my friends :)

Before coming to L’Abbaye, I didn’t know much about what I wanted. I knew I wanted to go to Greece (every girl does after watching The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants) and I knew I wanted to find out more about myself. I guess I didn’t have much time to think about it since coming here was a last minute, on a whim decision that is very out of character for me. On our first meeting about our Vision Quests, I made a list of things I wanted to accomplish while I’m here:

--I didn’t want to be defined by labels anymore. Not all of them have been bad: cheerleader, in showchoir, a Schraeder, a part of my sorority. A lot of these things I loved or still love, but I wanted to make a new and unique definition of myself.

--I wanted to catch the fever of travel so that I not only get to see new worlds and places, but also get to experience new cultures and expand my view of the world.

--I wanted to gain confidence in myself so that I can stick to my guns and speak up for myself. I’m was tired of letting people walk over me.

--I wanted to let people know what I’m thinking.

--I wanted to win and feel proud of myself.

--I wanted to lose and get over it.

--I wanted to be 100% positive that I don’t need anyone to tell me that I can make it- I can do it on my own if I need to.

--I wanted to be ok with what I believe in.

Reflecting back on my experience here, I’ve learned not only the things I planned to learn, but unexpected lessons as well:

--I’ve learned to appreciate the people in my life. Coming back from the two week travel break, I don’t think I’ve ever been more happy to see my Abbey friends. I’ve learned to appreciate each of them for who they are and who’ve they have helped me to become. Jay and Amanda with their always positive attitudes and smiles, Kadi who is always eager to help, Mandy, Eli, Nathan and Cody who have helped me keep my sanity and have been the best friends I could have asked for, our professors with their knowledge and creativity, the Lewis twins with their loving sisterly arguing...and the list goes on.

--I’ve learned that it’s important to figure out what you believe. I’ve never been one for getting into politics and I still hate arguing about it, but being in a place that is so different from home has helped me to see that I at least want to care about it now.

--I’ve learned that I want to know and appreciate the history of my family and my country, but I’ve also gotten a new appreciation for what’s to come in the future.

--I’ve learned that I want to go into the Peace Corps and help people who aren’t as fortunate as I have been and continue to grow as a citizen of the world.

--I’ve learned that it’s ok to not be right all the time.

--I’ve learned that I like green peas.

--I’ve learned to live in the moment.

--I’ve learned to open up to new people and new experiences.

The list could go on and on about things I’ve learned from getting stuck at Beauvais Airport to meeting new friends on spring break to jumping off of a cliff in Santorini. Overall, I think the most important lesson that I’ve learned here is to live in the moment, and however cheesy it may sound, to not be scared to be who you are.

You've gotta fight...

For your right to party.

Once shares of the Best Of The Abbey Experience Is The closed Relationships you build with comme au students. One Particular Way Students we get to Know One Another IS-through fun themed party nights at Le Commerce, the local bar / restaurant WHERE we eat lunch Every Tuesday night.

Tonight's theme is "7 Deadly Sins", goal while my wonderful friends are running around dressing up and and making Themselves look as sinful as possible, I am sitting here in my pajamas. The Reason: I have homework. Lots of homework. Mostly, this is my fault, I Did not let projects sit and think ahead. So, the moral of the story is ...

Do your homework "during the day. Then, go to the bakery to soak up the extra You May Have Consumed sin the night before.

... Or you could wake up in the morning and do your homework.

An Irish Weekend

This past weekend three of us went to Ireland.  We didn't think that going was going to be a possibility when the volcano in Iceland erupted, leaving many people stranded in airports.  However, the airways opened back up and we had no problems going (had you told me a volcano would interrupt plans, I would've laughed four weeks ago).  There were a few people, not going with us, who already canceled their flights so we were the only three students who traveled.
                                                                  Elizabeth's cup with our
                                                                  long lost love: ICE!

One of the first most exciting things about Ireland (other than all of the English in the air!) was the ICE in Elizabeth's water!  I totally forgot about the existence of ice before I saw her glass... that's how obsolete it is here.  It also was refreshing to hear English, especially in a cool accent! 

Our first day was spent in Dublin which is more touristy than the other places, but is still very laid back.  It's definitely not like Paris where I always felt like it was go. go. go.  Dublin was a very refreshing place to be as far as capitals are concerned.  There are tons of places to see like Trinity College, St. Patrick's Cathedral, and the Dublin Castle.  I definitely going to Ireland when the flowers start to bloom because the parks are beautiful.  We spent about an hour sitting in the grass of St Stephen's Green talking, people watching, and enjoying the scenery. 

The next day we went to Limerick and Shannon.  We didn't spend a lot of time in Shannon, but walked around in the rain in Limerick. Limerick was beautiful, even with the rain.  We walked around the town and 

through a park there.  This picture is from Limerick.

When we got to Shannon around 4 we stayed in our hotel.  We were so exhausted from traveling all day.  We watched The Best music video channel ever and had fun anticipating what random song would come on next.  The next morning we left the Shannon Airport at 6:40 and got back into Paris around 12 ( flight + time change + bus ride from Beauvais airport to Paris).  We had a picnic lunch in the park by the Eiffel Tower and then caught the train home.

This is what a typical weekend is like when travelling... lots of new things, lots of sites to see, lots of travelling, and not enough sleep!  The longest we slept was 6 hours, but that doesn't ever matter.  We always catch up on planes and trains!

DISCLAIMER:  If you ever go to Ireland take your rain gear because Ireland is known for its rain.  Luckily for us though, the sun was out while we were site seeing in Dublin. 
The people in Ireland are very nice and helpful.  I recommend going to everyone. 

St. Patrick's Cathedral

www.stpatrickscathedral.ie

The London Eye

When i was in London for my friend Elizabeth's birthday we all decided to go on the London eye. It was one of the most amazing things in London. We went at night so we got to see all of the lights and all of the main buildings. It is a little expensive, about 17 pounds. and that is with a student discount too but it is worth it i think. this is a photo that I took from the top of the London eye.

I wanna go hooo-oh-oh-oh-ooooome!...spongebob

SO! As much as i love Pontlevoy and all of Europe...i REALLY REALLY miss home right now.  It started with food (fatty lol) and then it slowly worked its way to actually missing everything about home.  It's funny because i came here to escape home and actually have something to do during the week other than go to class but after 3 months of sucky internet and not talking to my family all the time it starts to take a toll on you and yo remember all the awesome things about home like family gatherings, not having to rely on city transportation or going to the mall whenever you're bored.  I can't tell how much more i appreciate the place i call home and everything about it, good or bad.

As much as i want to go home though, i don't want to say goodbye to all of the new friends that i made THAT DON'T GO TO USM!!! I'm not the one to cry easily but daaaang! I'm gonna need to drop some tears come 2 weeks from now.  I have sooo many awesome memories of my time here and i'm so glad that i can always turn to those memories and share them with my family.  I swear i gained like 50 new best friends that will always have a place in my heart.

There's Cody (serve master) & Ryan

                                                                      

 Nijja!

 Mrs. Halpert

B-Town

He's Caseeeeeey!

Mrs. Schrute                                                                                                    

Sarah!             Joe (stay bein served) Chris!                                        

 Jordan!

Lindsey O.

Gangsta LIZ!
Audi!
Yams!
Jaff!
Sir Gabe
 Jess!
Ladies Man
Lu!
Jenny!
Kimbo!

And soooo many more! I will miss all u guys (sniff sniff). I LOVE U!

Boat Ride

This weekend a group of students and teachers went on a boat ride on the river. When we heard about the ride we thought "man this is going to be fun" we had this idea of this boat that we were going to ride and learn about things that we saw and landmarks and different things a.k.a fun facts. When we arrived the boats were just what i thought. It had a sail that was rolled up, old looking, and made of wood. When we got on the boat things that we thought changed. When we were ready to take off the driver started the motor and we buzzed off. We were just zig-zagging down the river for two hours. We didn't had locations that we were going to see or any little fun fact to learn about. At first we were a little confused. The ride was not what we had thought. But as we started to move down the river we starting to have fun. We were singing, taking photos, laughing, and just really enjoying life. When we were done we were a little sad. We had to get off the ship and move on to something else in the town. When we all got home that night i was laying in my bed thinking about the day, and i thought about how we were so excited to see new things that we were looking forward to learn something. It hit me right there. I was excited to learn things and when it didn't happen i was confused. That was something new. I had never thought about how my need for learning has changed and the thirst for more was still there.

Santorini :)

I'm sure that after watching the movie sisterhood of the traveling pants everyone has the urge to go to Greece. well i say do it!! For spring break i went to Santorini for seven days seven nights. It was amazing. when watching the movie you see all of the white house on the hills and the bright blue water, the place really looks like it. just like you think. The flowers are bright red and contrast with the water and homes around every corner.

If you want to see the whole island i would rent AT V's and get out there and see it all. We rented AT V's for 80 euro a piece. Since we had two people per ATV it was only 40 euro for the week a piece. We decided to rent a vacation home for the week because we had seven people with us. The vacation home came out to be 100 euro for the week a piece which if you think about it is really good. We were on a budget and believe it or not Santorini was really good for a budget traveler. For food we went to the local food market and stocked our kitchen and we just cooked our own dinner and lunch.

While we were there we saw as much as we could. We went to as many beaches that we could. We went to the city that Sisterhood of the Traveling pants was filmed. It was the best time that I have ever had. If i could go back to any place it would be Santorini. It is something that I will never forget and to think it was all because of a movie

-Amanda-

Consumerism and the Department Store

The Industrial Revolution:

Spanning from 1760 to 1850, the Industrial revolution spread across Europe as well as the United States. It brought around enormous change in a wide variety of fields. Production of goods was greatly improved; agriculture saw the invention of new tools and methods for better and faster crop production, textile manufacturing was heavily streamlined and sped up, and metal manufacturing was revolutionized as iron was used more extensively for construction. Economic and political policies were changed to fit the rapidly expanding workforce and the problems that arose from this expansion. Social structure shifted as cities and families were centered around factories, more children were recruited to work at younger and younger ages, and as cities became densely populated and therefore more unsanitary. Outbreaks of typhoid and cholera were prevalent. However, despite negative changes, the industrial revolution also improved clothing and housing, created a cornucopia of jobs, and introduced a number of important health and labor acts.

There was so much that happened during the Victorian era throughout Europe as well as the rest of the world. The Industrial Revolutions were at their peak; medicine was starting to advance in wondrous ways with Marie Curie physicist and chemist, Ernest Haeckel and Gregor Mendel famous biologists, along with Dmitri Mendeleev the chemist who created the periodic table. The arts were advancing through new and impressive artists such as Van Gogh, Monet, Beethoven, Charles Dickens, Edgar Alan Poe, Mark Twain along with many more that brought the realism and new revolutionary ways of thinking into the homes of ordinary second class people of the world. Alexander Graham Bell and Thomas Edison were turn of the century inventors and all these evolutionary moments in history were all occurring in this one era. All these new and inventive ways of thinking also flowed into the producing and consuming economies.

During the second Industrial Revolution in Europe, people of this era, the Victorian Era, decided to experiment and adopt new ways of purchasing and selling goods. This new “consumer ethic” in industrial societies picked up quick and spread throughout Europe. It first started with the Great Exhibition of 1851 where the whole architectural design had similar aspects to the soon to be department store; high ceilings, tall glass windows that surrounded the building with stainless steel supports. Very much a welcoming center for browsing! So from that point, in 1880, Louis Auguste Boileau opened the world’s first department store. Other places around Europe started to pick up on the department store idea such as Harrod’s and Selfridge’s in London.

Write letters to:

Amalgamated Textiles Manufacturers Institute

1101 Connecticut Avenue, N.W.

Suite 300

Washington, DC 20036

Here is a website to check out that we found useful: http://www.yale.edu/ynhti/curriculum/units/1981/2/81.02.06.x.html (just in case it doesn't work)

Spring Break

So, probably the best part of spring break, and being in Europe, was getting to see my best friend Emese for the first time in 5 years. We went to grad school together forever, and after graduation, she moved back to Europe to go to dental school. Since I was here, I decided to go to Hungary and visit her! Best decision. This is a picture of the two of us in high school!

Versailles

During Paris week, we had the opportunity to spend an entire day at the Palace of Versailles, a trip provided and payed for by the Abbey. This attraction is widely known, and for good reason. The Palace of Versailles, or Chateau de Versailles in french, was the home to Louis XIII's successor, Louis XIV, also known as the "Sun King". It began as the royal hunting lodge, which he then expanded into one of the largest palaces in the world, not only serving as the royal home, but as the center of political power in France during his reign, therefore is not only a famous building, but a symbol of the absolute monarchy of the Ancien Regime. Needless to say, this is one gorgeous building and well worth seeing. But along with the chateau itself, it is bordered by an incredible, seemingly endless garden, layered with fountains and sculptures. When visiting the chateau, one must first go through the lower level of the castle, filled with rooms full of paintings of historical figures of the French monarchy of the time. This is the least impressive of the visit, so I would advise to make your way through this part pretty quickly, because there is plenty more to see. After this, you come to a large hallway filled with statues and photography involving the chateau. Again, quickly. Then you go to a couple more rooms and eventually make it to the hall of mirrors, which is one of the most famous rooms and my favorite part of the palace. Afterwards, you will see some rooms of Louis XIV and Mary Antoinette, and then eventually come out of the palace. (P.S. get the listening devices at the beginning I think they are free and the sections are short and helpful, but you wont use it until you are upstairs.)

(That's Me!!)

After the palace, you will come out to the gardens. Spend a lot of time there because it is simply a wonderful place. Observe the exquisite landscaping that is still constantly redone and preserved just as Louis XIV had had it done centuries ago. If you go past the gardens, you can make it to Mary Antoinette's house and village that she had built. I did not make it this far, (because I spent too long in the first floor with the paintings) but was told by many friends that it was well worth the visit, and that this little village she created was built so that at times she could feel like a normal citizen, and would pay servants to pretend to be townsfolk.

Anyway...Versailles = GREAT...nuff said

Taking French

Although this program does not require you to take any French courses, because all of the classes are taught in English (except French, of course), and all of the administration are english speakers and mandatory trips are administered in english, I would insist that everyone take a French class while here, or even better, start taking french before you come for the semester. This program is offered every year so if you decide you want to come, I would urge you to spend another year at your university and use that time to develop your french. You will enjoy your time so much more if you have the ability to communicate with the locals. My best times here in Pontlevoy are spending time with french friends at the local bar, which everyone will get to know. Not only that, french will help you get around when you take trips into Paris (such as for Paris week) or any other part of France. You wont have to waste your precious time, which you did pay for, trying to figure out how to communicate using hand gestures and misunderstood english. It is true, the majority of the Parisians do speak english, to an extent, but there are plenty that do not. Not to mention, if you are a language lover like me, it is super fun and a wonderful skill to obtain. There's no other better way to learn than being stuck in the country where the language is spoken and being forced to use it.

Traveling - spring break

During the program, as most know, there is a break period meant for traveling for about 2 weeks. Now, most students coming into the program really plan on taking advantage of this opportunity: being in Europe and the facility of getting around to new countries. Thats great. However, if there are any students who do not feel that they can afford it or just feel like saving some money and sticking around in Pontlevoy, there is one thing the Abbey program does not tell you. If you do choose not to travel, you have to pay at LEAST a good 50 euros a day to stay in the Abbey, because it is not rented for those two weeks. SO, be prepared to move all of your stuff out once Paris week hits. Anyway, what I'm trying to say is that it is a good idea to travel since you would spend just as much money staying in Pontlevoy. On that note, I want to encourage everyone to plan out their travel break long before the program. It might simply be, "Hey, I've always wanted to see Rome" and so therefore, plan out a nice trip to Rome. However, if you can go for something a little more meaningful, aside from just seeing sights, that memory will stick with you for much longer. I got very lucky in planning my travel break. I went to Portugal to study violin with a wonderful professor, who put me up for the entire time I was there. I was able to relax and enjoy the beauty of a small town in portugal, while making wonderful friends and preparing for my career at the same time. This memory will never die. So if you can find some place, some city, something that will change your life, use that for your travel break as opposed to just running all over Europe (because that can get very expensive and tiring)