Cher Ryan,

I don’t even know where to begin. There’s so much I would love to tell you before you leave for Marseille. Just know that the next 5 months are going to be filled with highs, lows, and everything in between, along with a healthy dose of surprises. You’re going to make countless mistakes and I would tell you how to avoid all of them but most of them are ones you need to make. They are going to humble you and embarrass you, but at the same time, they will teach you and help you mature quickly. You are going to grow as a person faster than you ever have. I guess the responsible thing would be to warn you about a few things. The first thing, just because Morocco is mostly desert don’t expect it to be warm everywhere. Bring a warm jacket or you’ll end up hiking through the Atlas Mountains during a snowstorm shirtless. The next thing, do not let yourself get sunburned. Just because you haven’t experienced bad sunburns in the past doesn’t mean you don’t burn. Falling asleep for hours shirtless on the Beach in Barcelona is a horrible idea that will lead to unimaginable pain and days of lost sleep.

I should probably also give you some tips on how to make the most of your experience in Marseille. Firstly, don’t be afraid to practice your French. Be confident and don’t get embarrassed if people don’t understand you at first. The south of France is an especially good place to practice because unlike in Paris, most people here won’t automatically switch to English when they hear your accent. Next, explore as much of Marseille as you can. It’s a city with so much to offer and if you wait until the last month to explore you won’t have enough time. Try new cafes and restaurants, visit new parts of the city, and explore the incredible national park your school is situated in. Seriously, you should be hiking in the Calanques every weekend they are incredible. Finally, take advantage of everything the school has to offer. There are events all the time and they are worth checking out. Everything from boxing lessons to wine tastings, there are plenty of events worth checking out. Also, as an exchange student make sure to get your Erasmus Student Network card as soon as possible. This gets you a discount and a free checked bag on RyanAir and a discount on Flixbus. Even though you aren’t technically an Erasmus student, you still get access to the benefits. 

Remember this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience so do your best to make the most of it. Make sure to set lofty goals because you’ll be surprised at how much you will learn and accomplish. Be safe, smart, and responsible, but make sure to enjoy yourself! Meet new people, try new things, and live life like a true Marseille native. 

Cordialement,

Ryan