Brent’s 1971 Summer time Overseas in Aix-en-Provence

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Calling all AIFS alumni: Did you research overseas in Aix-en-Provence in 1971? You received’t wish to miss this! Brent, who participated in a Hole program the summer season after graduating from highschool, is seeking to reconnect with others who have been on his program. Within the means of getting in contact with us, he was impressed to inform his story and provide a singular glimpse into life learning overseas in Europe within the early Nineteen Seventies.

“On July 1, 1971, I left Edmonton, Canada with a gaggle of 40 highschool graduates, a part of an AIFS summer season college research program to Aix-en-Provence, France. We spent simply over three weeks in Aix, the place we grew to become associates with members of an identical group from South Carolina. We shared lessons, meals, and plenty of journeys by way of the native area. After Aix, my group continued on our personal to Rome, Paris, and London.”

Doing a research overseas program can influence you for a lifetime — personally, professionally, and academically. It may even have a ripple impact. Brent’s expertise in Aix-en-Provence sparked a love for worldwide journey, which he handed on to future generations.

“Relating to my general AIFS expertise, it opened my eyes to Europe and positively influenced my life in some ways. It gave me a style for French delicacies and a keenness for the relaxed fashion of dwelling we skilled in Provence. I noticed that there was one other lifestyle, very completely different from that on the Prairies. It developed a love of journey – I’ve been to Europe 12 instances since then – which I’ve handed on to my youngsters, and now grandchildren. Experiencing such a unique world instilled a need for extra data, main to 2 levels. Lastly, conserving [a] diary finally led me to appreciate that I’ve a expertise for writing and a profession as a contract author and editor. To this present day, I fondly do not forget that summer season.”

Learn on to study extra about Brent’s research overseas expertise in Aix-en-Provence, France with AIFS in 1971.

Then vs. Now

Worldwide journey and international schooling alternatives like learning overseas have modified so much since Brent’s 1971 summer season overseas in Aix-en-Provence with AIFS. We requested him about this modifications — and what points he believes have remained fixed.

“Journey in 1971 was so completely different from as we speak. To start with, abroad journey was nonetheless a rarity. It was only the start of the 747 period which revolutionized journey by making it each cheaper and extra accessible. Once we went, we travelled on a Boeing 727, carrying about 140 passengers. It was so small, we needed to cease in Iceland for refueling! That in itself was an expertise, as a result of we bought to expertise the midnight solar.

As soon as in Aix-en-Provence, we encountered only a few English audio system, aside from college students on the campus. This made our immersion expertise all that extra highly effective. We needed to communicate French for every little thing we did off campus, together with purchasing, recreation, and consuming out. Right this moment, it’s fairly doable to journey in France with solely a very restricted data of the language. Nonetheless, I’d think about that the sense of discovery and even tradition shock could be simply as robust for first time guests to France because it was for us.”

Geopolitics

The early Nineteen Seventies had distinctive geopolitical challenges. As a younger scholar touring in a brand new place and being uncovered to new methods of life, Brent got here face-to-face with these challenges — and, subsequently, alternatives — throughout his research overseas expertise.

“At the moment, there was quite a lot of political unrest with French possessions in North Africa – though on the time I didn’t perceive the scenario. We have been required to hold id playing cards always and needed to current them if requested by police. I recall strolling previous a financial institution one morning. An armored truck pulled as much as make a supply and guards jumped out carrying sub-machine weapons. It was fairly a shock from somebody used to a extra mundane society.”

Key Takeaways

AIFS alumni from many years previous have such a tremendous perspective, so we requested Brent to look again on his research overseas expertise in 1971 in Aix-en-Provence and take into consideration the recommendation he would give to present college students contemplating learning overseas.

“Benefit from all of the alternatives that are introduced to you. The excursions…present many alternative methods of studying the tradition of the area you’re visiting. We went on bus journeys to wineries, historic websites, in addition to day journeys to the seashore. If I’ve one remorse, it’s that I didn’t study extra in regards to the space earlier than I went. I feel this could have allowed me to understand the expertise extra totally.

Pricey Diary

These days after we share a “day within the life” of our college students and interns overseas, we consider the digital — vlogs, takeovers, and a lot extra. There’s one thing to be stated, although, for a superb old school journal. Learn a number of of Brent’s diary entries from his 1971 research overseas program in Aix-en-Provence with AIFS for a singular glimpse into his adventures as a current highschool graduate exploring Europe for the primary time.

Wed. July 14 — Bastille Day. Awoke about 9:00. Washed garments in laundry room. Completed about 10:30. Should use laundromat subsequent time. Aircraft water bombing in valley about 1/3 mile south. Came upon the water bombing is due to a small forest hearth. Had some cafe au lait about 11:00. Learn till about 1:00. Had some cookies and jam for lunch. Left for pool about 1:15. Identical pool as earlier than. Clouded up on all sides however didn’t rain at pool. Clouds got here very slowly. Noticed rockets ship as much as disperse hail. 5:30 left for restaurant. Journey took 1 hour. Ate at 9:30. Had melon just like canteloup however a bit tangy, french fries, inexperienced beans? which tasted a bit like inexperienced pea soup and entire roast lamb. I had some ribs, crisp on the skin tender inside. Excellent. Dessert was a sponge cake topped with meringue and baked a bit. High sizzling, backside chilly. Additionally an apple. Had a superb dialogue about America [with some of the Americans who were sitting at the same table]. Sinks in washroom have electrical eye. Ate in a kind of dungeon good environment.  Bought again about 12. Plan to learn a bit of then fall asleep.

Thurs. July 29 — [On this day Theresa, one of the Americans who befriended me, wrote “Hello” in my diary] Awoke at 6:45, thought it was 10:45. Awoke once more about 7:40. Bought prepared for going downtown. Left about 8:15. Had common breakfast and went to Grand Marche. [A large street market held on Thursday and Saturday mornings] Purchased 2 wallets. Had a tango, [Beer with lemonade] wandered round. Had a ham sandwich and orange syrup for lunch. Mailed movie. Bought again about 12:15.  Went and suntanned for about 2 ½ hours. Had a hose battle with Tom. A number of enjoyable. Got here again and was resting after I considered one thing. On the day earlier than I left, Linda stated that she wished she was going to Europe. I stated that it actually hadn’t dawned on me that I used to be going. I left my residence 4 weeks minus 7 hours in the past and it nonetheless hasn’t dawned on me. Possibly it is going to after I’m leaving or after I get again residence. One other factor; I observed that my diary has much less and fewer element in it now. I suppose I’m getting right into a routine. Went to commencement. Good.  We gave Nancy a standing ovation. Had cocktail social gathering afterward. Boring. Ordered pastis [Provençal anise flavored liquor normally mixed with water] and lemonade. The man thought I used to be loopy. It was good. Had a superb discuss with Jim [a chaperone from the American group] about S.C. 59% of the G.N.P. is army, 65% authorities. The individuals have a British background and really feel they’re aristocratic. Inspector from CIFS [Canadian affiliate of AIFS] got here. Had first good meal in a very long time. Hen, peas, shredded white stuff with mayonnaise, salad, peach on pastry with syrup and a peach. Good. Bought again and was obligation chaperone for some time. No one signed out. Simply had a bathe. Really feel so much higher. Precisely 12 days from now I’ll be again residence. I’m very sleepy, should go to mattress. 11 days until London and residential.

We wish to hear from AIFS alumni who additionally studied overseas in Aix-en-Provence in 1971.

The most effective elements of doing a research overseas program is the connections you make alongside the best way. Brent is seeking to reconnect with the classmates that he holds so close to and expensive to his coronary heart. If you happen to did a research overseas program in Summer time 1971 in Aix-en-Provence with AIFS and want to get in contact with him, please contact our Alumni Workforce and we are going to join you.