Bonjour Toulouse!

Travelling is heavily romanticized in our day to day lives, and me being the romantic that I am, I've always wanted to jump on the bandwagon and take off to a far away city. Ever since the first time I left the country, I've known travelling is something I would have to keep coming back to. I even made a bucket list of places I'd have to see, and France was definitely on that list. You see, France, namely Paris, is one of those quintessential travel destinations that people want to visit. The only problem being that the sheer number of tourists dilute the authenticity of the location and take away some of it's enriching experiences. For me the solution was to look at the locals, and shy away from the most "quintessential" spots in town. That's why when the opportunity presented itself for me to visit Toulouse, a major city located in the South of France, over 400 miles away from Paris, I got very excited.

I still cannot believe that I even got the opportunity to go to Toulouse, and not only visit but take part in local life myself! The city is absolutely stunning, and as tribute is nicknamed "La Ville Rose" (The Pink City). It's covered in a pale pink stone and has the atmosphere of an old town with its lively markets and beautiful Romanesque Architecture. It also features a wealthy old quarter with buildings dating back to the 16th century, some of which are even open to the public. Last but not least, you can't talk about Toulouse without mentioning its enviable French food status. It is home to classic French dishes such as duck confit and la cassoulet, and is immersed in a culinary atmosphere that has brought some of the best restaurants and chefs to the area.

I simply can't wait to start my journey as a student in France. I know that I will gain a greater understanding for French culture and so many new perspectives which will stay with me for the rest of my life. The only sad note about this adventure is going to be leaving Toulouse and it's rose tinted filter behind and returning to my normal, American teenage life. But I know that I will be returning a brand new person ready to take on the world.

See y'all in Toulouse!

Au Revoir,

Anna Kurchenko