Me

So this is my first blog, and I have to apologize in advance for all my terrible writing, grammer mistakes, mispelled words, and general lack of normal blog-writing skills.  I am not a big "blogger" but I was advised by my study abroad office to make a blog and share my traveling experiences with future study abroad applicants/family and friends.  So here goes nothin'...

My name is Ashley, and I am a junior at Purdue University studying to be a vet.  For the last couple years school has been my one and only focus.  Now don't get me wrong I've had a great college experience, but because vet school is ridiculously impossible to get into, most of it has been spent in the library studying for various subjects including organic chemistry, biology, and physics.  While my inner-dork will always be a part of me, and school is always my number one priority, I have decided to have a little change in scenery.  This year I am studying abroad for 11 months in Europe.  Crazy, right?

In high school, I studied abroad in St. Brieuc, France with the IU Honors program.  During this time we spent 7 weeks living with a French family and not being able to speak any English at all.  This is where my ridiculous obsession with the French language and culture started.  Since then, I have taken every opportunity to learn about France, the language, and the culture.  I am minoring in French, I take every opportunity to practice French, and pretty much stalk any French person I meet.  While my original plan was to study in France for the year, my academics got in the way, and long story short, I am in Dublin, Ireland for a semester (taking some classes I would not be able to take while in France) and am off France for second semester.  Not too shabby, huh? 

All in all, the purpose of this blog is  to share all of my traveling experience and adventures with my friends and family.  After much preparation, packing, and tear-filled goodbyes (many of which are still to come) I am ready and (almost) packed for my departure this Sunday.  A mere FOUR days until I leave my home, animals, family, and friends.  This opportunity is amazing, but goodbyes are harder than they would seem. 

But, enough of my rambling on.  I will try to be fairly consistent for the (very few) people who will keep up with this blog.  And until next time, I'll see you in Dublin!