At first, coming to study abroad in France was really exciting, but as my departure got closer, I got more anxious. I feared not knowing anyone and not knowing the language very well. What helped me get over that the most was the CEA CAPA orientation. The advisors in Aix-en-Provence are so friendly and welcoming. The schedule they made for us during the first few days helped me feel more comfortable in the city and make friends with the other students.  

My friends on the train that takes you to the Notre-Dame de la Garde in Marseille. 

Me at a lookout point in Cassis. 

The inside of a perfume museum in Grasse. 

During that first week, they took us to Marseille and Cassis. These were both beautiful in their own ways and inspired future travel back to those cities. This past weekend, they sent us on a guided tour of a few more cities in the Provence region.  

My friends and I making our own eau de toilette in the perfume museum in Grasse. 

The entrance to the Matisse Museum in Nice. 

We started out the trip by going to Grasse, the perfume capital of France. We got a tour through the perfume museum and even got to make our own perfumes. The city itself is amazing, and I will definitely be making a trip back to spend more time there.  

My friend in front of an ancient arena, Arènes de Cimiez, that we stumbled upon outside of the Matisse Museum in Nice. 

The ending ceremony of the carnival in Nice was where they lit the statue of Poseidon on fire on the beach. 

Then, we went to Nice. At first, we had free time, so my friends and I explored the Matisse Museum, an ancient arena, a cathedral, and gardens. Later, we had dinner with the CEA CAPA group and went to the beach to watch the closing ceremony of the Nice carnival season. They had a DJ playing music to get people hyped as they lit the giant statue of Poseidon on fire. Everyone was dancing and after, they had a fireworks show over the sea.  

The grand finale of the carnival in Nice with fireworks over the sea. 

A view of the pier in Monaco. 

The next day, we went to the botanical garden in Eze. I would not have known to go on my own, but now that I have been, I would say it is a must-see.  

The botanical garden in Eze. 

Afterward, we spent the rest of the day exploring Monaco. It was beautiful and sunny. The views of the sea in Monaco are unmatched.  

These trips and activities are how I met most of my friends here in Aix-en-Provence. I was so nervous at the beginning, but now I can’t imagine my life without them!