Ole Miss’ Croft Student Embarks on Long-Awaited Journey in France

The Croft Institute for International Studies has broadened many undergraduate students’ horizons. In this week’s installation, Cayla Cardamone shares her experiences in Angers, France where she is currently spending her spring semester.

Hailing from Bloomington, Illinois, Cardamone decided she would enroll at the University of Mississippi after a chance visit.

“I visited Ole Miss with my family to see a football game my junior year of high school and absolutely fell in love with Oxford and the campus,” said Cardamone. “The university and Croft Institute are very strong academically and Ole Miss turned out to be very affordable with scholarships. I felt very welcomed by the school and community. They really do make you feel a part of the Ole Miss family from the very beginning.”

The Croft Institute operates the undergraduate major in international studies at the university, thus, Cardamone is double-majoring in international studies and French with a minor in Economics.

Cardamone said, “Through the Croft Institute, I have concentrations in Europe and Global Economics and Business.”

In order to graduate with a degree from the Croft Institution, all students must spend at least one semester studying abroad. She is excited to live in Angers, France for the next four and half months.

“…I’ve been planning for this semester since I came to Ole Miss.” Cardamone said, “I hope to improve my French speaking skills, meet other college students from around the world, and travel to as many places as possible. I know I’ll learn a lot about French history and culture, but I hope to learn just as much about myself as I step out of my comfort zone.”

She has a blog, https://caylaenfrance.wordpress.com, that she updates frequently to share her adventures so far in France.

Cayla Cardamone (left) visits the Louvre.

“Sacré Coeur is the highest point in Paris and offered great views of the city.”

Cardamone got into Louvre for free with her French student visa.

Cardamone visited Napoleon’s apartment. You can find more pictures of his apartment on her blog.

Cardamone visited the famous Notre Dame.

Cardamone visited a boulangerie (bread store) to grab a quick bite near her residence.

Cardamone visits the cathedral in Angers in the historic part of the city.

The cathedral in Angers, France

To see more of these impressive pictures, visit her blog!

Callie Daniels Bryant is the senior managing editor at HottyToddy.com. She can be reached at callie.daniels@hottytoddy.com.

Follow HottyToddy.com on Instagram, Twitter and Snapchat @hottytoddynews. Like its Facebook page: If You Love Oxford and Ole Miss…