Toulouse or not Toulouse; that should not even be a question.

You should study abroad in Toulouse (that should not even be a question). It is a wonderful experience that leaves you enriched, happy, challenged, and ready to conquer (okay, maybe the last bit is an exaggeration but you get the point). The truth is that studying abroad can go exactly as you have planned; or not (insert side eye here). If things end up not going as you expected, one thing is certain, everyday in Toulouse while you’re studying here can be an adventure. So as you get ready to make up your mind of whether or not this experience is for you (it is), here is a list of my own adventures in Toulouse that have tickled me silly.

 1) When in Toulouse, climb a tree. I don’t necessarily think that Toulouse is known for its trees. But if you do see a tree, climb it (fais attention quand meme). What happens when you connect with the people in your cohort, take a walk in a park, and see a lovely tree? Well, you climb it! That is exactly what we decided to do while exploring Toulouse one of the very first few weekends we were here. By the time the first person had started climbing the tree, my fear of climbing trees quickly turned to “maybe I too can do this,” so I did and it was a wonderful time for us all. I came for the French language, and left with the know-how of climbing trees. 

2) Standing in a metro unsupported (not leaning against anything or holding onto the hand poles) is an art. As one of the students in my cohort describes, “you spread your feet apart and sway with the movement of the tube.” It is a tried, tested, and proven method. It only took me a few tries to master it (okay, it took me more than a few tries). And now, with this skill, I feel a sense of pride and excitement when I get on the tube. 

3) Prochain arrêt: Jolimont or as they say in Occitan : Belmont. For the cost of one program in French, being in Toulouse offers one the chance of learning a second language (Well, saying learning is a bit of a stretch, but one definitely experiences another language). While standing unsupported in the metro, I follow along as the PA system first announces the stops in French and then follows it after in Occitan. Additionally, a fun game to play while on the metro is to try and follow along as the PA system announces the stops; at the moment, I perfectly know all the stops between Empalot and Jean Jaures (there are 5 stops in between) and am quite proud. 

4) Due to the scheduling of the bus, on Tuesdays, I can either make it thirty minutes early for one of my classes or end up five minutes late (there is no in between). I always plan to wake up an hour earlier to get ready and get to the CIEE center at a comfortable pace (the lies I tell myself); I woke up late the first day and had to run after the bus. I am doing better at waking up earlier, leaving the house comfortably, and getting to class sweat-free (more lies). Anyway, running after a bus is one of the skills I have acquired being here. Running up a hill while carrying my bag and trying to finish my breakfast sandwich at 7:55am to catch the 8am bus can now go on my résumé as one of my accomplishments. As I said, not each day goes as planned but it sure is an adventure here in Toulouse. 

5) With more than half of the cohort taking the Master Works of French Art class with Eric where they get to learn about the architectural styles of buildings in Toulouse, every walk or stroll through the city is a lesson. While I do not take this class, hearing my peers in the program discuss various buildings they see and trying to guess when these buildings were built has rubbed off knowledge on me; I too, have become by osmosis an expert of sorts on buildings (not really, but I do know more about buildings now than before). 

This image is unrelated to this blog, but I did want to put a little intermission here just to say that when you do come to Toulouse, don’t forget to enjoy the bread. 

6) By now, you might have figured out that I am very fond of my experiences in Toulouse such that the little experiences are worth noting. I have enjoyed the connections made, the laughs shared, the food, the classes, the days that go exactly as planned, and the days that do not go exactly as planned; they have all been wonderful. My time in Toulouse has just meant so much (running after buses and all). Whatever has come up while studying here has benefitted from me handling it with a kind of “pas de soucis” attitude. So, Toulouse or not Toulouse (say it with me; that should not even be a question). The answer is always: oui, Toulouse, absolument, Toulouse!