Gabriella DeConti ’18
Environmental Science Major
First Semester Abroad: Colby in Dijon
(Fall 2014)
It’s been about a year since my semester abroad in Dijon, France and I am still reflecting on the experiences I had there now that I’m back at Colby. This year, as I spend my first fall semester on campus, I am not only looking forward to weekend trips exploring apple orchards or climbing Mount Katahdin, but I am also growing quite nostalgic for my time in Europe. As the leaves turn color and the days get shorter, I have thought back on my semester abroad and I have concluded that, along with specific allurements, there’s a certain je ne sais quoi that makes France a great place to be in the autumn.
- It’s not too cold to sit outdoors.
The first thing I noticed while walking the streets of Dijon during my first few days of arriving in August of last year was the vast amount of outdoor seating at every café, restaurant, or pâtisserie. I quickly figured I would watch as they stacked the tables andtook them away once the autumn months came along, as I often see them do when I visit Boston. December came and as I packed my bags to leave for home, I still found myself walking past outdoor seating with large heaters placed around umbrellas to make the space comfortable for clients to sit outside while enjoying their café au lait and a newspaper. In my opinion, it would be nice if more American cities learned from this ideology of enjoying the fresh air.
- The Christmas fairs are magic.
If you think, as I have always thought, that Christmas is cozy and magical here in America, you may still be right, however you may also benefit from a visit to Strasbourg in the Alsace-Lorraine region of France to experience Christmas magic on a whole other level. The vibrant lights strung across town and a warm cup of vin chaud are enough to convince you that Santa and his elves truly must exist.
- Fall fashion, très chic.
Spending my fall in France made me feel as though I was witnessing the dispersion of fashion before my eyes. Living in a country where men were in no way afraid of wearing scarves when it got chilly, I felt inspired to take some fashion risks, myself. It was fun to visit new stores and shop styles I never would’ve seen at an American mall or outlet. As an entirely separate French culture, the fall street fashion was always fun to look at.
- Who doesn’t love fromage and fondue??!
The thought of camembert alone makes my mouth water. When it comes to cheese, there is no better place to be than in France. Sorry, all you American cheese fanatics, but you do not know what you’re missing until you’ve tried raclette, a dish regional to Burgundy where you melt your cheese and pour it onto a variety of meats and vegetables. On those cold, rainy days when I couldn’t help but feel homesick and crave my mother’s homemade soup, my host mom turned my thoughts around with a pot of fondue for dinner and instantly I would be cured of missing home. French cheese has the special ability to cure any seasonal depression one may have, and it always compliments a glass of Burgundy wine.
5. Hop on a train!
It’s a ridiculously easy thing to do while you study abroad in France. All roads lead to Paris, and they may have a tendency to lead to Rome as well. Or Venice. Or Amsterdam. If you want to plan a weekend away while you’re studying abroad in Europe, you really can’t run out of options for where to visit. The trains themselves are enough to make any American traveller envy the ease of international transportation that Europe has successfully developed over time.
6. Always a good idea
It’s more than just a good idea- it’s a dream come true. You can watch the leaves fall in Jardin des Tuileries, adding extra color to the Louvre’s backyard, or you can stroll down the Seine, passing people sitting by the water with a book. No matter what season, you can get lost in the halls of the Musee D’Orsay, viewing some of Claude Monet’s most famous work inspired by the city that is just outdoors. When the autumn weather is mild, you can watch the Eiffel tower sparkle at night with just a light sweater to keep you warm. Although there is no seasonal limit on the magic of Paris, you can easily fall in love with the city when you visit in autumn.
