As is the trend here in the Côte d'Azur, this past fun-filled week has flown by! A week ago, we said goodbye to our three-week students, and settled in for our last week here with our families. However, we did not let our three-week student leave us without showcasing some of their amazing talents! Last Monday, students, staff, and families joined to applaud the Talent Show organized by our students. There was singing, dancing, a secret handshake, martial arts, gymnastics, and even a guacamole making contest! Afterwards, we were treated to a spread of Niçoise specialities at a pot-luck dinner. After classes on Tuesday, students headed to a local retirement home to interact with some of the locals. They were happy to share their French skills with the members of this community, as well as some of the things they have learned here in SLDV. On Thursday, many of our students chose a cheese-tasting workshop for their afternoon activity. There, they learned about the different steps of cheese tasting, the many types of cheese, and how to pair them with France's gourmet breads, spreads, and fruit. Some of the cheeses were more appreciated than others (especially in regard to the smell!), but all students were happy to discover new favorites among the varieties. On Friday evening, students attended the annual Black and White Party at the Cagnes-sur-Mer youth center. By the end, all were covered head to toe in white foam! They had a blast dancing, singing, and meeting other French teenagers their age. We had an early morning the next day, as we took off for San Remo, Italy! There, students enjoyed a free day in the coastal town. From what we were told, the majority of it was spent tasting the local cuisine and savoring authentic cappuccinos. We can't blame them! On Sunday, we headed to the hill town of Saint Paul de Vence where we toured the beautiful medieval town and visited the Maeght Foundation, a haven for contemporary art. Finally, for our last full day as a group, we headed to one of our favorites, Nice, to enjoy the pebbled beaches, shopping, and of course more food! We ended the afternoon with a trip to a local ice cream shop, then said some goodbyes at the SLDV train station.
As I write this, our students are all headed back home, or to other destinations in the world to continue their travels. Saying goodbye was difficult, and there were many tears, but we are all so thankful to have shared this time together. We could not be prouder of our students and all they did to overcome the language barrier, cultural differences, and homesickness. They made incredible progress in French, became a part of their families here in SLDV, shared many wonderful cultural experiences, and made friends for life. From all of us at Abbey Road, we wish everyone the best in their future adventures! Never stop exploring, and make the most of every second.
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