While many students are loathing the monotony of this winter, Maddy Ethington and Heidi Benson are currently enjoying their time spent studying abroad this semester. Ethington is currently located in Rennes, France and Benson is currently residing in London, England.

Ethington and Benson are a case different from most, as the young women have essentially been best friends since their arrival at Monmouth College. The two MC students lived on the same floor Liedman Ethington’s freshmen year, and she describes their first semester by simply stating, “Those were some silly times.” The two, “became best friends over a walk to Subway and a batch of cookies” Benson explained.

Coincidentally, Benson and Ethington decided to study abroad the same semester.

When questioned about what prompted her to study abroad, Benson said “I have a big interest in the arts, which is what my program focuses on, so this is a great opportunity to get out and study not only the ‘what’ but the actual ‘where’.” Ethington credited her desire to study abroad to the fact that she thought it would help her teaching, going on to say, “I plan to teach (French) and there are so many components of language study that you cannot learn from a book.”

While both Benson and Ethington’s semesters have virtually only just begun, the two ladies voiced some interesting and exciting encounters that they’ve already had. Ethington explained a good moment she had spent alone taking in the whole experience, explaining when, “I found a patch of grass to sit on near the edge of one of the hills on this tiny island / And just sat listening to the English Channel lap against the rocky shore / It was so humbling and peaceful.” Benson noted that her most memorable experience in London so far has been “All the shows I have seen so far ‘Metamorphosis’, ‘War Horse’, ‘The Lover/The Collection’”. 

Benson also explained her newfound love for the London markets located around the city. “Each one has a different character and has different discoveries” stated Benson, adding that “it has been a great way to become familiar with the city.”

Since the young women are so close to each other, they most definitely have plans to meet up to take their friendship to the next level, international. Around the end of March Ethington plans to visit Benson in London, which Benson is excited for, “I am so thrilled to show her around the city and see the things I’ve fallen in love with.” Benson then plans to visit Ethington during their Easter break, and each hope to visit each other another time later in the semester.

While both plan to be back sometime around the end of May or beginning of June, exact dates for their departure aren’t concreted. Ethington jokingly said she planned on being at home, “towards to end of June, but it all depends when then French Open ends.” Benson said that she might travel to Switzerland when she is done, and that her arrival back home will depend on that. While both young women’s semesters are just underway, both friends seem to be greatly enjoying their time, even though they are not together.

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