Europe Archives - Page 2 of 6

How I Got into France as an American During Covid

When I submitted my application to teach English in France for a year, Covid wasn’t even a headline. In January 2020, I turned in the last recommendations, documents and transcripts. And I waited until what was supposed to be “early April.” Alas, February brought headlines of this mysterious virus, March ushered in global panic, and April introduced a new way of living. I became anxious that this pest of a virus would interfere my post-graduation plans. And I worried a lot about it. And the toughest part? There was nothing anyone could say, recommend or even predict. Should I...

view the post

6 Comments

How I Applied for My TAPIF Visa to France

When people would ask me about my “trip” to France, I often chuckled. Because a trip suggests short-term for the purpose of sightseeing. And because it’s entirely easier to take a trip than it is to move abroad for work. Most trips don’t include health insurance coverage, salary, rent or visas — the last of which truly distinguishes between vacationing and moving abroad. I want to start off by saying every experience and every country’s process is different. And it even varies by what type of visa you’re applying for — and they are many. Although there are a...

view the post

4 Comments

13 Best Books Set in France

Once I graduated from college, I had lots of time to myself again. Although I miss the late night girl talk, meetings at 8 p.m., working out in the middle of the day, and rolling out of bed for class — ok, wow that’s a lot — I’m also really enjoying this calmer pace of post-grad life. I’ve been using this time to explore my own hobbies: blogging, exercise and reading. As a girl, I always loved D.E.A.R. time at school, but when life got busy, that was one of the first things to go. But now that I...

view the post

10 Comments

Basic French for Travelers

People like to joke about the French often, but the truth is that France is the most visited country in the world with 89 million tourists each year. And there’s good reason for it. If you know me, you know I’m obsessed with all things France and lived in Toulouse for a summer. Knowing a few key phrases for any country you visit is a great practice, and in France, these will come very much in handy. The French are known to be nicer to tourists who at least attempt French. If you’re traveling to France, here’s a quick...

view the post

0 Leave a Comment

I’m Moving to France

Currently still in shock. I started my application to teach English in France last October. It has been nearly a calendar year of many anxious months waiting to hear back from TAPIF (Teaching Assistant Program in France). COVID has delayed these decisions several times, but yesterday I got the email: I’m moving to the Académie d’Aix-Marseille in southern France to teach elementary schoolers English. And I’m over the moon excited! If you know me personally, you know that these past few months have been rough. Results were supposed to arrive in early to mid April, and the virus kept...

view the post

19 Comments

How to Plan a Motorcycle Trip Through Europe

For Mandy Manley, there’s something enchanting about motorcycle travel. Sure, she loves traveling by train and car, but when she’s traveling by motorcycle, there’s nothing between her and the stars, she says. “When it rains, you’re wet. When it’s windy, you get blown around. You smell all the smells and can touch and taste things to really experience your environment in a way that you never could behind glass,” she says. I had never heard of motorcycle travel; I didn’t know you could book motorcycle tours. Until I chatted with Mandy L. Manley, who has taken several motorcycle trips....

view the post

2 Comments

The Beginner’s Guide: How to Plan a Trip to Europe

I had the great privilege of traveling to 11 different countries before I even turned 21, and most of these countries are in Europe. Getting a French degree and running a travel blog, I love traveling to Europe. This May, I’ll be headed to France for the fourth time! So, if you’re wanting to learn how to plan a trip to Europe, you’re in the right spot. This is one of the questions I get most. How do I plan a trip to Europe? What do I need to know? How do I get there? What do I pack?...

view the post

2 Comments

The Ultimate Guide to Florence, Italy

From a taking a class on Tuscan wines to planning happy hours for her internship, Annika Meyer jam packed her six weeks of study abroad in Florence, Italy. It’s safe to say that I was drooling over this sorority sister’s Instagram. And I asked her to share her Florence travel guide. I chatted with her about the best Florence finds, day trips and key Italian phrases. Q: If I’m headed to Italy, what things should I be sure to add to my Florence travel guide? Piazza del Michelangelo This is one of the most beautiful overlook views of Florence...

view the post

3 Comments

Everything You Need to Know About Traveling to Italy

A summer in Milan spent studying fashion design, image and styling isn’t swinging for the fences; it was a reality for Kaitlin Sheppard. Most days of the week were spent in class from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., but her weekends took her to Lake Como, Cinque Terra, Rome, Florence and Belluno. I asked Kait her pro tips on how to travel Italy, and she dished all the deets: Q: How did you save money? A: Money was a bit of a challenge. I had been saving up for quite some time, but I still had a limited amount...

view the post

6 Comments