Thursday, 12 July 2012

{Goodbye Paris. Hello Macon.}

So after two semesters at AUP, it's goodbye. I have decided to transfer to Wesleyen College in Macon, GA. I had an amazing experience at AUP. The school is what it promises, a small liberal arts university located in the middle of the city of lights. I had classes with people from all over the world, from different countries and backgrounds, and the class size never exceeded 20 students. As to the academics, since I was a freshman, I had to take a Firstbridge my first semester. I chose "Our viral lives", a media and literature combination. Although I didn't love it, it is a class I wouldn't have taken if it weren't required, so I guess it is a good thing. Also, as you have 5 classes a week with your firstbridge, you actually get to know those people and I made some friends along the way. For the rest, I found that the placement tests are something you should definitely not be afraid of. Especially the French test, it was almost all multiple choice, so I placed in the highest level, even though I never took French in school. The extracurriculars AUP offers are limited but fun. As it is a small school they don't offer many different sports, but what they do offer is fun and you get to play in French University League. I was a student-athlete with the equestrian team, and rode competiton in dressage and CSO(jumping). We also had training once a week just outside of Paris at the prettiest stable I've ever seen. At the end of the year, I became vice-champion of Ile-de-France in CSO, that is something I had never imagined, but I am so happy it did. Now, Paris. What can I say. First of all, it is expensive. Imagine expensive, now double that. Yes, that is how expensive Paris is. But then again, living in the city has it's perks. There is a café on every corner, and sitting on a terrace sipping my café au lait is something I will definitely miss. Also, the museums, the architecture and the sights and monuments, and all the cultural events and shops will make sure there is never a dull moment. That's it for now, I'll tell you about Macon next time :) Cheers!

Wednesday, 31 August 2011

{Luxembourg - Paris}


Bonjour!
Alright, so I am totally in the French mood already. Actually, to be honest, I am in France already, in the TGV between Thionville and Metz.
This morning I placed an amazingly long update[not], but to make it up to you, I’ll place one now. Although you got to admit, the cute, cuter, cutest Johnny picture did make up for the lack of words huh? Yes, I thought so.
So, on my way in the TGV. These things are seriously pretty!! And fast, or well, that’s what they say. We haven’t gone full speed yet, we will though, when we’ve made our last stop before Paris.[Metz], I think. Ah well.
So this morning I went to sleep at 12h30 and got up at like 5h15, and I was so proud of myself that I could actually get out of bed. It’s the excitement that gives me energy I guess, although the café au lait does the trick too.
Then I repacked my tiny little suitcase and my weekend bag[see picture], and it turned out that I forgot to pack my running shoes[yes, I have some athletic ambitions]. So I pushed those in together with: a pair of boots, sandals and pair of heels, a full set of sheets for my bed, a towel, a huge amount of clothes[probably would be enough for two weeks, and I’m staying 6 days, mmm], a huge bag of soap, shampoo and stuff, a laptop and loads of wires. Yup, that was about it. And I just realized I forgot my flip-flops.
Well, then I got ready, and, almost ready to go, I realized I had forgotten to look up which metro to take to the FIAP[a student hostel where we are staying during orientation]. Oops, talk about organizational skills. But it all worked out, I have an address and know which color metro to take. I believe I can do it, even without a map.
But, back to business, so orientation coming up. Well, as I said, during orientation we are staying at the FIAP, a student hostel. Throughout the week, those who have chosen AUP housing[me, me, me] have meetings with people from the housing office, and they help us find a room. You actually get three choices to look at, if you don’t take any of them, you are at the bottom of the list. The list is arranged by date of confirmation, so now I hope I was early 
My preferred housing: a loft[keep dreaming] or a furnished room, as close to the uni as possible, as around € 450,- incl. electricity and hot water and stuff[reality]. I don’t really care if it is super small, I just want to be close to AUP, as in Rotterdam I didn’t enjoy the daily 30 minute bike ride to the uni, especially in the rain…
So, then, throughout the week we have to take placement tests for English, French and math. The math placement test I am just taking as a formality, since I actually don’t have to take math, because I have 8 ECTS from Erasmus in math. Yaaaay! So I can take another class instead…
The rest of the orientation schedule consists of activities in red[mandatory], which are mostly meetings about AUP with AUP staff, like housing, health insurance, classes, student advisors etc. Then, there are the activities in blue[recommended], they are mostly workshops against the cultue shock[haha], and campus tours. Last but not least, there are the activities in green[just for fun], these are dinners, sightseeing tours, and info about AUP’s extracurricular activities[committees, sports etc.].
So that’s it for now, I’ll let you know how it goes.
Loves!
P.S. By now I've been in Paris for two days already, update soon

Monday, 29 August 2011

{Off to Paris}


Hi!

Just a quick update: today I'm off to Paris :)Actually, I gotta go right now. Super excited!!

Ow, and the Johnny the Hamster pic.

Loads of love!

Sunday, 21 August 2011

{1 more week 'till Paris}

Damn people, it's been a while...

I know, I know, update more blondie! Well, to be comletely honest, nothing much has happened in my life in the past few months, since I've been working pretty much 24/7. Okay, 12/7.

So then, any free time you got, you wanna eat or sleep. Which I did. But my next adventure is getting close: studying at AUP(American University of Paris). I am super excited about orientation week, which is literally 1 week away.

I've booked my TGV for monday morning, and paid most of the tuition(or my dad did, but I'll pay him back...), so there's no going back now.

Ow, I do have some news: I bought a hamster!! Once he's over his photo phobia I'll take a pic and post it here, untill then: Adieu.

I'll be back soon!
(Run...)

Tuesday, 7 June 2011

{Today is the day}

They say it’s been a long time
They say it’s been a while
For me, it’s been a lifetime
Since I have seen your smile

We only part to meet again
I told you long ago
And meet again we shall, today

Because, today is the day
I am going home
Today is the day

Wednesday, 1 June 2011

{AUP-American University of Paris}


Hi!

So, as I announced yesterday, I will be starting college at the American University of Paris in the fall. Since I haven't done a post about this uni, and it isn't very well-known, I've decided to tell you something about it :)

So, first of all, when I'm talking about the American University of Paris, I'll be using an abbreviation: AUP. AUP is, as the name implies, an American university located in Paris, France. So, I'll be closer to home: two hours by TGV(hi-speed train) to Luxembourg :D Yes, that makes me very happy. The prices of the TGV don't make me very happy, it costs € 60,- one way. Though, as a student, I can purchase a € 50,- discount card, which will give me up to 50% discount on every trip :D

AUP was founded in 1962 by Lloyd DeLamater, and is one of the oldest American institutions of higher education in Europe. It is an accredited, non-profit university. They employ 61 full-time professors and 33 part-time professors from more than 20 countries. The studentbody is made up of 935 students representing over 100 nationalities.

As for the education part of the university, as I said, it is an accredited university. They have a 4-year undergraduate(bachelor) program with 17 majors and 36minors, and a 1-year graduate(master) program for 9 different masters. As for me, my intended major is international economics, and I am considering international law and international and comparative politics as minors. If you want to know more about their programs, I'll post a link to their website below.

AUP is centrally located in Paris, in the 7th arrondissement, near the Eiffel tower. The university has a urban campus: it consists of 8 different building, all within ten minutes walking of each other. As for housing, the university doesn't have dorms, but it does help it's students to find a room/appartment. As for me, I am hoping to find a room either in the 7th, 8th or 16th arrondissement, close to the university.

That's it for now, there is more to come about AUP(for the next 4 years, haha). Talk to you soon. Cheers!

Website: http://www.aup.edu/

P.S. I'll do a second post about the admissions process and the tuition/costs and other things I haven't covered in this one :)

Tuesday, 31 May 2011

{Zooey Deschanel inspired - 60's Hairdo}

Hi!

Another quick post, as I promised :) I have uploaded a tutorial to my Youtube channel, it is a quick and easy Zooey Deschanel inspired 60's hairdo.

I have been in love with Zooey's hair since I saw 500 Days of Summer, an amazing movie. So, then, yesterday evening, I decided to cut my own bangs into blunt bangs(straight across the forehead), here you can see how that and the tutorial turned out :)



Cheers!