Anthems of Noll

These first few weeks of my trip have been a continuous learning experience, about different cultures and customs but also about myself. Since arriving in France on September 26th, I have seen many quaint towns in the outskirts of Clermont, such as Orcival, St Saturnin and St Nectaire (the latter gives its name to the deliciously stinky local cheese - more on that later). I have also climbed the Puy de Sancy, I have gone to Collioure in the south of France and I have visited Lyon. While the more local sights have been interesting to get a sense of the area's history, (who would have known 10th century churches would still be standing in such remote locations?) I have also been fascinated by its geography. Volcanoes aren't usually the first thing that come to mind when you think of France but, surprisingly (to me at least), the province of Auvergne is home to a chain of these, all dormant. Seeing as I love to travel, embarking on this adventure to Europe after I graduate

This past April, I obtained a Bachelor of Arts (honours) in Geography. It was one of the most emotional, yet satisfying days of my life. My graduation marked the end of my days as an undergraduate student, where I was constantly exposed to stimulating topics and inspiring people. At the same time, it symbolised my ability to overcome the hardships of my final year in school, not without the help and support of friends and family. Perhaps I found myself overwhelmed by my fourth year because I was the victim of Reverse Culture Shock (it really does exist!), where nothing could make this year as good as the previous term I had spent in Costa Rica. I had learned about this tropical country's environmental paradise first-hand, had met amazing people in my study abroad program and had almost perfected my Spanish-speaking skills. This unforgettable experience had allowed me to learn more about myself than I had ever imagined, and I didn't feel like anything back home could possibly li