It has been over a month since my time in France, and I though I am happy to be home starting my senior year, I miss my home stay family dearly! They made my experience truly incredible, and I am ecstatic that I had the opportunity to spend a month in their shoes. Last I heard, they had plans to visit New York City for the first time this summer so hopefully I will able to see them soon! I have also been talking a lot with my roommate and other friends from the trip though they are spread out all over the country and world. I am so grateful for my experience with Abbey Road, I thoroughly enjoyed exploring each city we visited, indulging myself in the delicious food and getting to know a family with whom i hope to have a life long connection. Thank you, Abbey Road for this unforgettable experience!

Today after our regular classes in which we played a vocabulary game, we went para-sailing in Nice! It was the first time I had ever done this, so i was a little bit nervous at first. The feeling of soaring through the air over the Mediterranean was exhilarating to say the least. After, a group of friends and I decided to go on a "fly fishing" boat, which was very similar to tubing, and was very fun.

My roommate and I returned home with empty stomachs. Luckily, our host mother made and outstanding zucchini casserole and grilled asparagus for dinner. We then went to the port with the group which was a blast! I had so much fun walking around with my friends and chatting. Can't wait for tomorrow! 

Today, we spent the day in Saint Tropez. I was amazed by the beauty of the small island. Everything there is very chic, lots of designer stores and fancy yachts. Though I was only able to window shop I still had a great time. I tried my first macaroon today, it was incredible, I'm hooked! After our free time on the island, we went back, spent an hour or so tanning on the beach, and then went out to an outstanding restaurant. I ordered a steak with pepper sauce and it was out of this world! It was an unforgettable experience!

Here is a recipe my host family and I are thinking of making together this week. It's Quiche, my favorite!

Ingrédients: 

1 Poivron vert

1 Aubergine 

4 tomates

3 petite courgettes

2 cuillères d'huile d'olive

2 gousses d'ail 

1 gros oignon 

Les herbes de provence 

Préparation: 

Faire chauffer l'huile dans une casserole.
Ajouter l'ail et l'oignon, cuire pendant 6 à 7 minutes 

Ajouter l'aubergine, bien remuer. Ajouter le poivron, remuer.
Couvrir et faire cuire à feu doux pendant 10 minutes
Ajouter les tomates, les courgettes et les herbes, bien mélanger. Assaisonner.
Couvrir et cuire à feu doux environ 15 minutes.
Goûter et rectifier l'assaisonnement.

Bon appétit! 

Yesterday we spent the day in the Italian village of San Remo where we relaxed on the beach, played volley ball and shopped. It was my first time going to Italy and it really meant a lot; I am a melting pot of different ethnicities but I am predominately Italian (one fourth) Italian and I have grown up in a very Italian home. Upon arrival, a group of friends and I decided to go to a cafe, because how could we miss out on authentic Italian food! My friends got calzones and pastas and I ordered the best Margherita I've ever tasted!

After our free time, we ate incredible home made pesto pasta and tiramasu at a beachfront  restaurant for dinner. 

The most challenging part about the experience was that I speak essentially no Italian. Sure, I know how to say "grazie", "mozzarella" and "ciao" but that is about it. Yet, purely through my immersion I picked up on a few things, such as "prego" means "you're welcome"

My roommate and I returned to the apartment at around midnight, but the night was not over. My host family had asked if we would like to go to my host moms cousins wedding reception! Anne was a bit too tired to attend, but I was eager to see what a french wedding reception was like! It was held at the "Club Nautique" where the husband works. I ate food, danced and spoke about my hometown back in the states. 

Because we came home so late from Nice yesterday, we were allotted a much needed extra hour of sleep this morning! After two hours of classes, we spent the day relaxing and sleeping on the beach in Cannes. Some people shopped around in the stores and explored the "vieille ville" but I chose to simply tan with my friends. After check in, we all ate delicious pizza on the beach! It was a fantastic day, I don't to go back to Pittsburgh!

Yesterday after our regularly scheduled class, my french conversation elective group went to Nice to take a tour of a local candy factory. When we walked inside the petite building we were welcomed by the heavenly aroma of chocolate and crystalized sugar. Much to my surprise, many of the flavors of candy in the factory were those of flowers! From rose jelly to sugar coated flower petals the influence of the regions beautiful flowers was found everywhere. One would expect for these treats to be a perfume-like flavor, but they are very sweet and quite delicious!

Right across the street from the factory was an antique flea market. As a huge fan of antiques, I absolutely adored browsing through the aged treasures and asking the store owners the age and origin of each trinket. I ended up purchasing two world war two barrettes for only 30 euros, back home they could have easily gone for 200 dollars! What a steal!

After a wonderful dinner of tomatoes garnished with mozzarella, potato puree and grilled chicken my roommate and I met up with the rest of the abbey road group to watch fireworks over the ocean, what a breathtaking sight!

Today is my sixth day in St. Laurent du Var, I can't believe it! It has taken me a while to begin posting because every day has been packed with activities. From the luxurious beaches of Cannes to the ancient village St. Paul de Vence I have thoroughly enjoyed my time here.  My family is truly incredible; the mother, Sophie is a story teller and she is always energetic and has been incredibly hospitable. The three boys, Mario Luis and Giani remind me a lot of my own brothers! They are always singing and dancing around the house, just like we do back home! The father works in a Lacoste store and is always friendly to my roommate and me! The most difficult thing for me to adjust to so far is definitely the time change. Only recently have I begun falling asleep before one in the morning! Overall, I am having a blast here so far! Photos are soon to come but maintenant je dois dormir! a bientot!

Hello Everyone!


My name is Shannon Doyle, I am a junior at Sewickley Academy and I will be participating in the St. Laurent French home-stay this summer. I come from a family of seven, I am the second oldest of my five siblings. I've traveled to a few other countries before, but this will be my first time going to France so needless to say I am incredibly excited! It has been my dream to go there since I was a little girl. Since kindergarten, I've been studying French; my family has multiple home videos where I’m singing “Frère Jacques” and “Alouette”. I am ecstatic to know that this summer I will finally be able apply what I've learned in a real setting. True fluidity within a language can seldom be achieved without immersion. Hopefully, during this trip I will be able to hone my skills and take them to a new level. Additionally, I am really looking forward to discovering the culture of the Rivera. From what I've heard, it sounds like an outstanding area. Though I am a bit nervous to be far from home, I cannot wait to meet my host family and everyone headed on the trip!