2024 MCC France Marine Biology Study Ablog

 It’s officially the end of the last week here in France. Overall, this trip has been a blast, and I’ve learned many necessary lessons along the way. I’ve made friends and memories with people in the group and those outside of it, such as my host mom. This week, Alix and I had the opportunity to spend the evening at our apartment dancing and singing the night away with our host mom, Nathalie. We had so much fun getting to see her open up, sing, and dance the night away with us as she introduced us to music, and we did the same.  Everything begins to come to a close in class as we prepare for our finals. While we may be done with our lectures and class times, we still have the opportunity to continue learning Marine Biology through a kayaking excursion on the ocean. Let me tell you, the people who kayak on the ocean every day must have some of the most strong, toned, and developed muscles in their cores, arms, and shoulders because that is NOT an easy hobby to have. During our excursion

 This week was an exciting adventure! I visited Monte Carlo and Monaco, in awe of all the luxurious surroundings and historic buildings. I spent time at an archeological museum, delving into the region's ancient past. In Nice, I explored the beautiful Nice Cathedral, appreciating its stunning architecture. My biology class and I went kayaking in the ocean, enjoying the activity itself and the clear ocean waters. We also visited Cannes, famous for its film festival, and the picturesque Les Îles de Lérins, where the natural beauty and serene environment provided a perfect opportunity to join nature. Also watched a friend purposefully get himself stung by a jellyfish. It was an amazing and unforgettable time.

 This week I found it interesting to learn about different types of marine mammals, turtles, and various families of fish. One thing I didn't know before was that different species of whales can have a single or double blowhole, and they could be identified by observing how they spray out water when they breach the surface for air. Out of our excursions this week, I had the most fun kayaking and spending the day in Juan Les Pins. The weather was great and made for waves that were quite entertaining to paddle through. I also enjoyed visiting other places like Ventimiglia, Eze, and Cannes. Ventimiglia has a great beach, Eze has a cool hiking path through the mountains, and Cannes has a neat market. Overall, I think this trip has been the best experience I've had so far and I loved spending such a great time with others. Bird refuge on the island of Sainte Marguarite

 For this third week, we visited Cannes. Even though the day was cloudy and it rained a bit, Cannes still looked stunning. When we arrived at the port and looked towards the beach, I was amazed to see that we were surrounded by jellyfish, which are a favorite snack for turtles. The shoreline was bustling with life-tiny shrimp, small fish, jellyfish, and snails. It felt like a lively underwater scene come to life. What really surprised me was seeing so many jellyfish right by the shore. I’ve been to other beaches before, but I’ve never seen this many jellyfish up close. It made me realize how different each beach can be and how much sea life is right there in the shallows, just waiting to be noticed. The sight of so many creatures all together was really fascinating and a bit unexpected, adding a special touch to my visit to Cannes.

  As I explored Cannes today I overheard the tale of a local mystery. Venturing to the island where the enigmatic prisoner known as the Man in the Iron Mask was once held captive, I delved into the intriguing history surrounding his identity. Imagining the isolation and secrecy shrouding his confinement, I pondered the countless theories and speculations that have swirled around his enigma for centuries. As I wrap up my final blog post, I reflect fondly on my study abroad journey, grateful for the enriching experiences and unforgettable memories that France has offered me. I would also want to say thank you to the wonderful instructors, Alex and Mary, for being generally awesome and gracious with the assignments. And of course, thank you to all the friends I made in France, without the great instructors and people I met on this trip this would not be as fantastic and memorable as it was. So again, thank y’all for making my first trip to Europe a memorable one.

 This past week we were running around like chickens with our heads cut off. Sadly whale watching got canceled tomorrow because of weather which kinda sucks but at least we have a free day to explore more of France before we leave in a couple days😔. Yesterday we went to Antibes and kayaked in the ocean. It was pretty windy though which just made it more of a workout. Today we went to Cannes and took a ferry to St. Marguerite where the beach ended up being covered in jellyfish. This may or may not have led to a silent benefactor paying me $30 to get stung by one.