BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - IU volleyball standout Katie Pollom is studying abroad in France this semester and has graciously agreed to chronicle her time in Europe throughout the semester for IUHOOSIERS.com. This is the fourth installment of her diary series.

"This past weekend was the first time that I stayed in Aix for the entire weekend. I got together with some friends to discuss our history notes at an outdoor cafe last Friday. None of us had class, but we wanted to make sure we didn't get behind in our classes. It really helps to discuss my French notes with other Americans. Friday night a group of us went to a "Salon du The" or a "Tea Room" and tried different types of tea while sitting in the midst of Indian decor and music (Indian as in the country of India, not Native American)...so that was a very cultural experience for me! Saturday evening, a couple of the students who are here for the year, had everyone in the program over for a get-together...they also invited some French guys they met in classes last semester. I got to practice my French with this one guy who enjoyed practicing his English back to me! It was a pretty comical conversation.

This week has been a lot less stressful than last week because I think I figured out my class schedule. It works out nicely because I only have one class on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, and two classes on Wednesday. The only downside is that I have a four-hour French theatre course on Wednesday that seems to last forever! However, in the middle of every class, we get a break, or as the French call it a "Pause" so that helps :) I have learned that it is difficult being the foreign student in my classes, although I have at least one American in every class with me, thank goodness! But I just wanted to let everyone back home know how hard it can be sometimes for the foreigners...so please be nice to them in your classes and make them feel welcome at IU!

Mardi Gras was Tuesday. There wasn't really a celebration here in Aix, but everyone eats crepes on Mardi Gras. So, I went to Crepe a Go-Go, an underground crepe place where you can order over 80 types of crepes. My favorite so far is bananas and nutella (chocolate). Ash Wednesday was yesterday, and I went to church at the Cathedral with some friends. Here instead of making the sign of the cross on our foreheads with the ashes, like in the U.S., the priest sprinkled the ashes in my hair. That was different!

This morning I worked out at Gym Club. The people there are so friendly. Each time someone new comes in throughout the morning, he walks around to nearly everyone in there (because they all know each other) and does the bises (kiss on both cheeks) or shakes everyone's hand in the gym! Sometimes, I think the French men spend more time socializing than working out, but it is a very friendly atmosphere.

I have to finish getting ready for my trip today after class. We leave for London at 10 a.m. tomorrow and will stay there until Wednesday when we go to Barcelona. I should have Internet access so I'll try to send an update from either England or Spain. If not, then I will let you know how the trip went after my vacation!

~Katie"