By Madelynn Loring, Staff Writer
On August 31, I boarded a plane for the adventure of a lifetime. Initially, I’d only planned for a brief semester abroad, with a couple of trips here and there, but little did I know of the journey that lay ahead. 247 days, eight countries, countless smiles, and plenty of tears later, my study abroad journey has finally come to an end. I could write an entire book about the places I’ve been, the friends I’ve made, and the lessons I’ve learned, but that’s far too long to publish in a university newspaper, even for me. So I have decided to share my year studying abroad in pictures instead. Just know that each of these photos, whether it’s insta-worthy or kinda blurry, has its own story to tell.
new arrival
Charles de Gaulle Airport, Paris, France
September 1, 2022
getting settled
Boutonnet, Montpellier, France
September 2, 2022
a new addiction (baguette cheeseburgers)
Le Métropolitain, Montpellier, France
September 4, 2022
a €4 student meal
Boutonnet, Montpellier, France
September 5, 2022
solo adventures
Planet Ocean World, Montpellier, France
September 7, 2022
life’s a beach
Carnon Plage, Mauguio, France
September 8, 2022
first drink
Café du Theatre, Montpellier, France
September 9, 2022
exploring my new home
Montpellier, France
September 10, 2022
don’t forget that you’re a student
Université Paul Valery, Montpellier, France
September 12, 2022
Hugo
Boutonnet, Montpellier, France
September 22, 2022
Erasmus Life
Saint Guilhem-Le Desert, France
September 25, 2022
dreams come true
Château de Chenonceau, Chenonceau, France
October 1, 2022
you can take the girl out of Colorado
Cirque de Navacelles, France
October 8, 2022
sk8ter boys
Cathédrale de la Major, Marseille, France
October 14, 2022
Happy Halloween
Caffé Scudieri, Florence, Italy
October 31, 2022
walkable city
Grand Canal, Venice, Italy
November 1, 2022
cozy in Como
Bellagio, Lake Como, Italy
November 4, 2022
STAR WALKIN’
Le Zenith, Paris, France
November 14, 2022
scandalous
Le Moulin Rouge, Paris, France
November 18, 2022
you’ve made it?
La Tour Eiffel, Paris, France
November 19, 2022
so you thought you spoke French
Fournil de la Fac, Montpellier, France
November 25, 2022
it’s over fast
L’esplanade, Montpellier, France
November 28, 2022
(Photo Credit: Kristine Jones)
World Cup
Place de la Comédie, Montpellier, France
December 1, 2022
waiting for home to come to me
Gare de Colmar, Colmar, France
December 17, 2022
it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas
Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
December 18, 2022
don’t get holes in your rain boots
Le Petit Trianon, Versailles, France
December 20, 2022
Merry Christmas
Park Güell, Barcelona, Spain
December 25, 2022
home away from home
Tirana, Albania
January 10, 2023
new faces
Boutonnet, Montpellier, France
January 19, 2023
reconnecting
Le Güru, Montpellier, France
January 22, 2023
Americans aren’t the crazy ones
Saint Éloi, Montpellier, France
January 25, 2023
paying attention to the little things
Disney Paris, Marne La Vallée, France
January 27, 2023
(Photo Credit: Waka Marubayashi)
remembering the power of solo adventures
L’Opéra Garnier, Paris, France
February 11, 2023
I think I need new shoes
Boutonnet, Montpellier, France
February 21, 2023
learning some tough lessons
Boutonnet, Montpellier, France
February 23, 2023
Swiss French
Gare de Montreux, Montreux, Switzerland
February 25, 2023
unreal
Giessbachfallë, Giessbach, Switzerland
February 28, 2023
ok, I think I’m ready to go home
Fonds régional d'art contemporain, Montpellier, France
March 9, 2023
The Art of Protest
Université Paul Valéry, Montpellier France
March 15, 2023
field trip
Jardin de la Fontain, Nîmes, France
March 21, 2023
afternoon tea
Tea and Tattle, London, UK
March 24, 2023
a seagull stole my pain au chocolat here
Mont-Saint Michel, Normandie, France
April 7, 2023
Happy Easter
Omaha Beach, Normandie, France
April 9, 2023
maybe you do speak French
Labo & Gato, Bordeaux, France
April 22, 2023
we met yesterday (but it's been ages)
Gent, Belgium
April 24, 2023
a pretty picture
Keukenhof Gardens, Lisse, Netherlands
April 26, 2023
seeing history
Les Arènes de Nîmes, Nîmes, France
May 6, 2023
now going home feels like leaving home
Place de la Comédie, Montpellier, France
May 7, 2023
goodbye is so hard
Montpellier, France
May 14, 2023
homeward bound
Boutonnet, Montpellier, France
May 15, 2023