Happy Thanksgiving!

So first of all Happy Thanksgiving everybody! Hope it was incredible!

This last week I just received more information on my host family with pictures so I will let you all see! They seem really great! It will be a huge change going from a town of 80,000 to 3,500 but I'm ready for it and can't wait. I am so thankful to all the people who are supporting me on this journey and for having this type of opportunity.
I am leaving in about 65 days and can't wait!


 The family and the dog

The House

The kitchen

The town, Le Chapelle de Guinchay

Placement!

AHHH! 
So today after all that waiting I finally discovered my placement! I will be living in a town of about 3,000 people called Le Chapelle de Guinchay! I was a little nervous about how small the town is at first but then I learned it's close to Mâcon, where I will probably be attending school. It's toward the East of France in Saône-et-Loire, about an hour North of Lyon, which is very exciting! I will have a 15 year old sister, a 18 year
old sister, and a 20 year old brother. Unfortunately I don't know too much more about my 
placement yet but hopefully I will be finding out more soon. I'll keep you all posted, right
now I'm just happy to finally know where I will be! Thanks again for all the support!

Finally!

Today I was finally accepted by AFS France. This means that I am officially going to France in January! I am so excited right now, because although I knew I was going this just makes everything so much more official. Now I just have to wait to receive my placement (family, town, school) and I will be ready to go!

        Hey there. My name is Courtney Aldridge and I live in Central Oregon. However in about three months that is all going to change. I have signed up for an exchange program to go to France! I still don't know if I am going to France for sure because I am still waiting for my acceptance letter from AFS (American Field Service) France. I should be hearing back very soon, for now I am just waiting and keeping my fingers crossed!
        Ever since I can remember I have been interested in cultures and this is a big chance for me to pursue that interest! As a junior in high school I have taken French for 4 years and have fallen in love with the language. As a high school student I keep myself busy with soccer, schoolwork, and hanging out with friends. I am also the secretary of my school's student council. As much as I enjoy all of this I am ready to branch out and spend some time out of the country.
        My exchange program costs about $12,000 and I am working hard to raise money. My parents have been very supportive through this whole process, therefore it's important to me that I help them pay for this adventure. If you can help me out in any way what so ever it would be greatly appreciated! Every penny counts. I encourage you to stay up with my blog because I will be updating it with stories, pictures, and videos from my adventure. Thank you so much for your support!