Corsica Favorite Tips by SusanneBeck

Although it had been a long 2...

Favorite thing: <font color=003300><b>Although it had been a long 2 days, when I arrived in Corte I was suddenly wide awake and dying to explore. As soon as I'd arrived at the university, I made friends with an English girl who'd already been in Corte a few days. She took me out and one of the first things I saw was the castle. This is the highest point in the town of Corte and I recognised it from websites. It's often used as a symbol of the town. It's very beautiful and at night when it's all lit up, it's an amazing sight. Even after my first night, I would look at it in amazement. It really made the town so much prettier. It stands out so easily and often it would be the first thing I'd see when arriving back in Corte after a day out and it would be so good to know I was home.</font></b>

Fondest memory: <font color=003300><b>One of the best times in Corsica for me was my 21st birthday. Not being at home with my friends and family, I could have felt so sad, but my new friends did everything they could to make it the best birthday I'd ever had. Being born at 12 minutes past midnight, I always like to see my birthday in the night before. It was Friday night and we'd been playing french monopoly and drinking wine. I was actually getting very drunk which wasn't a good thing when I intended going up to the viewpoint to see my birthday in. Anyway, I didn't let a few drinks, a fuzzy head, and a slight queasiness stop me so a few of us climbed the steps to the viewpoint. It was so surreal. We were all slightly drunk, some of us more than others (ie. me) and we carried a tape recorder playing a tape of Ella Fitzgerald. It felt so unreal but, as I was being almost carried up the steps, I was so happy. It was a great experience being at the viewpoint so late. The sky was full of stars and I had my friends with me. As it got closer to 12 minutes past midnight, they started to countdown and then all sang Happy Birthday. They even brought out a cake with candles which I hadn't noticed them carrying up. It was lovely and we had a brilliant night. The next day, the day of my actual birthday, was mostly spent recovering from the night before but we'd planned to go out for a few drinks at our local pub. Unbeknown to me, I had a surprise party waiting for me. The others, using their limited means, had made birthday decorations and got party food. They'd even bought me champagne and presents. It was one of the best nights of my life</b></font>

Fondest memory: <font color=003300><b>This is the same river a few weeks later. We had the most amazing storm! It was like nothing I'd seen before. It rained for 3 days and it wasn't just normal rain, it was so heavy. There was lots of lightning too. It was really exciting! It must have been obvious we were foreign. Everyone was inside, keeping away from the bad weather. Firemen were running around and there we were outside taking photos!!</b></font>

Public transport is not good...

Favorite thing: <font color=003300><b>Public transport is not good in Corsica and really there's not much need for it in the towns as they're so small. I had to walk everywhere but it's not really a bad thing in such a beautiful place. This a picture of the river which flows alongside the University Of Corsica. I had to cross it everyday to go to the supermarket, bakery or launderette. It looked so beautiful with the sun shining onto it. This was the first photo I took after settling into my room in Corte.</b></font>

Fondest memory: <font color=003300><b>This is a photo taken from the viewpoint in mid-December. It looked so beautiful and was still pretty warm.</b></font>

Fondest memory: <font color=003300><b>In Corsica, my favourite place is the Belvedere, or what I call 'The Viewpoint'. It was a place to go to see the town of Corte from very high up, almost parallel with the Castle. I loved going up here although it meant climbing a lot of steps! I went up here a lot to write letters or read a book. It was so relaxing and the views were amazing. Sometimes I'd just disappear up here for hours. At night, it was like a totally different place but still amazing. From the viewpoint Corte looks so beautiful especially when all lit up and it's breathtaking being up there at night when the sky is full of stars. This photo was taken during my first weekend in Corte. I am with a few of the other foreign students. We went for a walk to get to know each other better. It's surprising how close we all became in just 12 weeks</b></font>

Fondest memory: <font color=003300><b>I'll never forget the day I left for Corsica. Ok, I had travelled alone before but never this far and this wasn't just some weekend trip to London, or a summer holiday with my grandparents, this was 4 whole months on a strange and foreign island that I'd only heard of a few months before. I was terrified but excited. Ever felt that way? I'm sure you have. I knew it was the start of a new beginning. I was entering a world totally unknown to me and though I tried to be positive I did have a few fears. It was hard saying goodbye to my family especially my little sister who I probably spend more time with than anyone. I'd never left her for this long before. I was even going to miss out on her first school play. What was harder though was saying goodbye to Jon, my boyfriend of only 4 months (now ex!). We'd had such little time together, I was scared we wouldn't survive, but I also knew I needed him to help me get through this. It was such a scary and confusing time. Travelling was fine. I love it! After 2 flights, I was getting pretty excited. It was so nice not having to think of working 9 till 6 everyday. I arrived in Nice late that night and almost missed the bus into the city centre but fortunately the driver waited as I ran to catch it struggling with my bags. I really knew I shouldn't have carried so much luggage but 4 months is a long time and you know what us girls are like! Anyway, I finally got to my hotel in Nice. I was exhausted and couldn't believe it when I found out there was no lift to my 3rd floor room. I know 3 floors doesn't sound much but when the stairs are steep, and you have no energy left, trying to carry a heavy suitcase is impossible. The man was no help and I had to leave my suitcase downstairs in the lobby all night! Fortunately I was getting a ferry very early the next morning. That night was awful. I hadn't stayed in a hotel room alone very often. I had promised to call home but it was too late to buy a phone card and the only coin pay phone I could find was out of order. Although it'd be expensive, I tried my mobile but it let me down too. It was terrible. I knew everyone at home would be worried but there was absolutely nothing I could do. I got into bed, already regretting leaving, and cried. What had possessed me to leave home and go and study at a foreign university for 4 months??! You'll be glad to know, things got better. It's too easy to think the worst when you're tired. I got the ferry the next morning. The journey was over 4 hours but when I saw the tip of the island it made everything worthwhile. It looked beautiful and I was more excited than ever before. It all felt real and I suddenly knew I could do this!</font><b>