Maymester

  • Toulouse Pre-trip

    Before going on this trip I was pretty excited for about a month but honestly kind of nervous the first few days right before I left. I hadn’t been out of the continental US or Canada before so I knew I was about to be changed forever in Toulouse, France. I found out about this…

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  • À Bientôt

    Surprisingly, I was ready to return home. After staying in France for so long, I began to feel like a nomad because every day was a long adventure. I was constantly moving, and as a result, I was always exhausted. I enjoyed every minute of the program, but my body was just tired of staying…

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  • Did That Just Happen?

    It’s weird now that I’m back I can say the words “While I was studying abroad in Europe…” That is something I never thought I would get the opportunity to say. It continues to blow my mind. I’ve loved sharing my stories with my friends and family since I’ve returned. How Europe was so much…

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  • Cultural Experience

    One of my main goals during my expedition in France was to not eat any meal that I can eat at home. There is no point in coming to France if you are not going to embrace in a large chunk of their culture. Since my French was not advanced like I wished, it was…

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  • Homecoming

    After spending over three weeks abroad I was ready to be home. I have been abroad before and my time out of the United States had caused me to conceive the notion that the world exists in a strange paradox of being both big and small. My time in Costa Rica has solidified these musings.…

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  • The Impact

    I had many experiences in Costa Rica that left an imprint on me; however, the most impactful event would have to be the talk given by Mr. Jack Ewing at Hacienda Baru. His story affected me in ways I did not anticipate. Here was a man who came to Costa Rica with the expectation of…

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  • Anticipation. As I hugged my stepfather goodbye and stepped into the security line for the international terminal of the Baltimore airport, the feeling hummed through my veins. Anticipation. It overwhelmed the weariness I should have been experiencing from my sleep deprivation. The airport was bright and shiny line with enticing restaurants and stores. I made…

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  • Back Home

  • Future Winemaker

  • Pre Departure

    Going into this trip knowing it was my first time visiting Europe, and really my first time abroad, culture shock made me a little nervous.  It was something I wanted to try my best to avoid in order to have the best possible time in Italy.  I have also traveled to Costa Rica on a…

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