Understated Abroad

SIT (the School for International Training, my study abroad provider) really knows how to put the study in study abroad.  Today starts my third week of classes, and w o w have they been wild.  We've held classes at the United Nations (peep the sticker) and Doctors Without Borders, pretended to be representatives of nations in a geopolitical negotiation exercise, and enjoyed lectures from ambassadors and leaders of several NGO's.  Not to mention the 9 hours a week of french class (oh la la). 

It's been a lot, but it's been fun.  I'm already knee deep on three research projects, as well as an interview assignment.  We're also all looking forward to heading to Brussels and Paris in a couple weeks to enjoy some tasty food and drink visit other international organizations.  

I thought that the best way for you to get a good idea of what life is like lately would be for me to post an hour by hour schedule of a "typical" SIT day.  That way all my friends can know what I'm doing, and maybe future SIT students will know what they're getting in to (;

A Day in My Life

A twenty minute ferry ride across Lake Geneva is Yvoir, France, the most adorable village to exist, possibly ever.  The town is absolutely dripping with ivy, flowers, and charm.  Not to mention the gelato shop around every corner.  

Me and a few of my gal pals took the ferry La Italie from Nyon, Switzerland to Yvoir.  Despite the fact that it was a pretty rainy day, we the rain stayed away for most of the journey.  Once we got to Yvoir it began sprinkling, but the rain didn't slow us down at all.  

We wondered around the village, first making our way down to the castle/chateaux on the lake, and then wondering in and out of the precious little artisan shops along the cobblestone streets.  

 Once it was time to head back across the lake the rain finally broke, the sun peeked around the clouds, and the most wonderful full rainbow formed.  I still cannot believe that it was real.  

I would completely recommend a trip to Yvoir for anyone spending time in the Geneva area.  You will not regret taking a break from the high prices of Switzerland to explore the precious little town.  

Hello, my friends.  What a wild week and half it has been since I arrived in Geneva.  I've explored the city(ies) that I'm taking classes in and living in, met some cool new gal pals from across the US, and been late to class twice now (whoops).  

Geneva is a out of a dream.  Nestled in the mountains and next to the CRYSTAL CLEAR Lake Geneva (Lac Leman, as they say in French), the city is slow and relaxed and about as precious as they come.  Sights range from large french riviera style hotels, to cobblestone streets, to major fashion houses, to headquarters for organizations like the United Nations and the World Wildlife Fund. It definitely has a unique dynamic. 

SIT classes have begun, and rage from thrilling to tedious (I'm looking at you, french class). I'm excited to learn everything that this city has to offer, and to begin building my network of experts for my major research project. I'm also excited to be able to order from a restaurant and know what if ordering before I get it. 

Speaking or ordering odd things-- I tried escargot (snails!) at our welcome dinner, and they were very good! Just don't think about what you're eating (: 

As expected, food is crazy expensive.  If I forget to make my coffee in the morning it will cost me four dollars for a shot of espresso.  So, forgetting my coffee is not really an option.  #needthecaffine 

Lots of exciting things are happening, and even more are very close on the horizon (aka a trip to Brussels and Paris at the end of the month (!!!)) 

Apparently all study abroad students must post pictures of gelato.  It is the law or something.