Je suis arrivée!

I've never done a blog before. But since I am in the most beautiful place in the world and having the adventure of my life, I need a way to share it with everyone who's interested. So here goes!

I left Utah the morning of Wednesday, April 27. I flew British Airways--and I am now an affinity for British accents. I always thought that people exaggerated them, but they really do talk the way you would think! My entire flight, I was called "Madam," and when I got to Heathrow in London, a woman verifying my boarding pass said "that's lovely dear, have a wonderful flight." I am in love. My flight to Geneva was very short, barely over an hour. Sadly, we flew right over Paris but it was so cloudy that I was unable to see it! My first view of Switzerland from the airplane was incredible, I even took a picture:

It is every bit as beautiful as the pictures and movies you see. In every direction I could see nothing but green!

I was forced to use my French immediately from the minute I arrived. I bought a bus pass and minutes for my cell phone at a centre commercial (like a mini mall sort of place). Also, Afton (the woman I will intern for) doesn't speak French at all, and she's thrilled to have an intern who does. Every time she needed to talk to someone, she would tell me, "hey you speak French. Tell them this." And I had to translate! Kind of nerve-wracking at first. But it is amazing being back here and realizing how much my French has improved. I distinctly remember being in Paris, trying to talk with people and only being able to understand a few words at best. Now, I understand nearly everything. The last few years of intensive French study have really paid off! Swiss French is slightly different. It is a lot more sing-song, and actually very pretty. But, I can understand it and that's what matters most!

After buying a few things, Afton took me to the United Nations, where I was given a badge. This badge gives me access to the UN anytime I want. Wow! We went in, and she gave me a tour of the buildings. I was even able to go into the room where the General Assembly meets, I could not believe it. While we were there, I had the incredible opportunity to sit in on an emergency Human Rights Council meeting about the situation in Syria. Unfortunately, I had to take this picture before the meeting actually began, so most of the diplomats hadn't arrived yet:

While there, I had the opportunity to meet some women who work for other NGOs and talk to them a bit about what they do. I also met Ricardo, the director for all of the UN NGO's (and he complimented my French! Probably the highlight of my day).

Afterward, Afton was kind enough to take me to get a pastry. Well, if you know me, you know that eating my first European pastry in five years was a really big deal. So of course, I took a picture of my chocolate eclair.

It exceeded my expectations, which were pretty dang high. I also had my first Swiss diet coke (or "Coca Light" as they say in French).

Don't ask me how, but it really is better in Switzerland. Just like everything else.

After a few more errands, Afton drove me to the Volpicelli's (my host family). This was my first opportunity to really see Geneva, and I was amazed. The city is situated on a lake (Lake Geneva) and it is breathtaking. I wish I could have taken pictures, but it was pouring rain.

I had already met Gina at the airport, but I met Francesco for the first time when I arrived at their house. They are the kindest, warmest, most wonderful people! I feel so lucky to be living with them. From the minute I arrived, I felt right at home. They treat me as if I am their own daughter. They are very interesting people. Francesco is Italian, and Gina is Swiss. Francesco speaks 5 languages (English, Italian, French, Spanish, and Portuguese). Gina speaks 7 (all the same as Francesco plus German and Romansch!). Gina speaks to me in English since she wants to improve, and I address her in French. It's pretty funny. Francesco and I speak only in French. They live on the edge of Geneva, only about 3 kilometers from the French border. Some time within the next week I'm going to stay on the tram and go over into France...and probably kiss the ground when I get there. Here is a picture of their house:

And above is a picture of my street from my tram stop--which is literally 15 meters from my house! C'est parfait.

Great first day! It was overwhelming, as I realized that a lot will be expected of me in this internship. However, I could not have been happier to be back in Europe. There is something about it that I can't quite explain, but I just love it here!


I got thrown right into things from the day I arrived. From second day here until today, I have been attending a conference called GIMUN (Geneva International Model United Nations). Students all over the world have flown in for this conference, and I was able to be a part of it! I feel so lucky. I was on a committee called, "Teachers and the Promotion of Gender Equality." It has been great to gain a better understanding of how the UN works before I begin my work there. After 3 days of debate, we were able to adopt a resolution and present it before the General Assembly, who confirmed it unanimously.

Although I have terrible jet lag, I am so happy I was able to do this conference! Because of it, I have already made some friends here in Geneva. We are now all connected through facebook, and we plan to stay in contact. Our committee had 14 people, and quite a variety of nationalities! Yesterday I counted: 3 Swiss, 1 Lebanese, 1 Guatemalan, 1 Kenyan, 1 Hungarian, 1 American (that would be me), 1 Philippine, 1 Italian, 1 German, 1 Mexican, 1 English, 1 Austrian, 1 Ugandan, and 1 Syrian. What an incredible opportunity! My Guatemalan friend, Sophia, invited us all to her birthday soirée in 2 weeks, so we will all see each other again. Also, I met a Swiss girl named Stéphanie who lives here in Geneva. She is working very hard to improve her English, and I am trying to do the same with my French. We decided to stay in contact and get together often in order to practice! She has also offered to travel around Switzerland with me and show me all of the best places. I am so glad to have met her, she is wonderful!

Here are some pictures from GIMUN:

Nora Wilhelm, Stéphanie Sfier, and me at our first soirée Saturday night. I think I'm the only one in this picture not heavily intoxicated :) ha ha. It's kind of blurry because the lighting was terrible! The soirée was in a church, ironically enough. Gotta love Europe.

Our Chairperson, Beatrice Mozella and Secretary, Aline Benoit (and Nicolas in the background). At the end, we all decided to chip in and buy them a gift for all of the hard work and effort that they put in. They were amazing!


Our conference was at a place called "La Ville Barton," and it was right next to the lake. Here are some pictures I took. The pictures are beautiful, but believe me when I say that they do not fully capture the beauty of this place at all. It is something you really have to see in person to fully understand!

Where all of the rich people in Geneva live, across the lake. Most of these houses remain empty for most of the year because they are second homes. 

The French Alps! Closest I've been to France since 2006. 

Can you believe how beautiful this is?

This is the building our conference was in, La Ville Barton

Me in front of Lake Geneva...with the French Alps in the distance

The park and the path along the lake

more of the park

...and I guess that on nice days here, it is normal to take off your pants and shirt and just sunbathe in the park in your bra. Or boxers. This is just one of several couples I saw doing it. Lovely.

This is my group enjoying the beautiful day on the lawn just outside La Ville Barton!

Here is my group! We took this final pictures before we all parted ways (until Sophia's party in 2 weeks!).
Back row (left to right): Mutua (Kenya), me, Stéphanie (Genève), Jascha (Germany), John (Genève but French-American), Sophia (Guatemala), Ewan (England).
Front row (left to right): Ammar (Syria), Aline (Genève), Doris (Austria), Beatrice (Italy), Katya (Genève).
This isn't everyone but we had such a great time!

I cannot believe how much chocolate I have eaten in the past few days. The Swiss eat more chocolate per capita than any other country in the world, and now I know why! It is unbelievable. Lintdz chocolate and Toblerones are good...but they don't even compare to the chocolate I am eating here. I've eaten so much good food, but no weight gain...yet! Probably because I walk around so much. But with this food, I'm going to have to be very careful! My first pain au chocolat was a big moment as well...I've already eaten 2! Ahh!

I have so much more I could write about, but I have already written too much. I will tell more later. I'm having the time of my life, and I couldn't be happier to be here!

À bientot,
Maren