by Mandie Rivera
For those who are not familiar with who I am and my work, my name is Amanda Rivera, also known as Mandie. I am a second-year writing student at SCAD, and I attended the Lacoste campus for the winter quarter of 2020.
In Lacoste, you’re completely surrounded by beautiful French culture. The only things that are American are the students and the teachers. Some may see it as a bad thing — because of homesickness — but others see it as a great learning experience.
Every day you’re walking on cobblestone streets and looking at buildings that have been there for centuries. The view of southern France will take your breath away, and the cuisine is to die for. You’re constantly taking in the language everywhere you go and it’s not guaranteed you’re going to bump into somebody who speaks English who can help you navigate where to go during field trips.
Even though the culture is amazing and the people have the dopest energy, the best part about studying abroad, for me, is the sky. I know, I know, it sounds cliche, but hear me out.
The Sunrise
Waking up and watching the sunrise near the “bibliothèque” (library) helps me start my day off right. It may take about 20 to 30 minutes for the sun to peek out from behind the mountains surrounding the campus, but it’s worth the wait.
The Sunset
Before dinner, chasing the sunset is the perfect exercise — I literally chased the sun from one side of the village to the other trying to get the perfect picture of course — before eating the best full-course meal.
The Moon
Last, but not least, the moon during the nighttime is so clear, you might end up staying until sunrise watching it. It’s not covered by trees or telephone lines. Its craters are as clear as day and it shines brighter than the sun.
SCAD Lacoste feels like you’re walking around in a real-life Google image. It’s surreal.