I am Finalist studying French and Linguistics at university and I have recently finished the Year Abroad. From May-July this year, I completed a 2 month ‘stage’ at Château de Montaigne in the Dordogne in France, which I did after finishing my British Council Assistantship in Epernay in the Champagne Region. I found out about this opportunity from another girl at university and then e-mailed the Château directly. They are always keen to hear from prospective stagiaires and generally there placements available lasting from 3 weeks to 2 months during most of the year – this was perfect for me, as I was searching for a 2 month placement after finishing the Assistantship in April. Also, there is free accommodation available in the Château itself for the stagiaires, which was one of the main attractions for me and also a modest salary of €70 per week.

So that was the point of this, huh?, BEAT THAT, jet setters of the easyjet kind and a bit of a sniffle

This is my last blog as a year abroad intern. In less than 2 weeks I will be done with work schedules, early wake-up calls and responsibilities and go back to being a regular library-avoider; or a student, as we are known in the vernacular. So, what do I do now? I’ve gotten used to the silly work schedules, my body just wakes up at those ungodly hours and I actually even kind of enjoy those pesky responsibilities… what has this year done to me?!? I took a quick poll of, well, my family and very close friends and the answer came back “you’re actually useful to the world now Ness” which, I’ll be honest, I didn’t realise I was signing up for.