Reflections

I feel as if I’ve reached a bit of a peculiar point in my study abroad experience. What I mean by this is that I feel a bit odd as to where I’m at exactly. I know that I have mentioned and hinted a bit at this feeling in earlier blogs, but I truly feel that I’ve experienced an immense amount throughout my time here and that all of these experiences that I have lived abroad really have a deep impact on me. I’ve grown tremendously as a person, not just as a student. Interestingly enough, it feels as if studying abroad for a semester, or for a year in my case, really does more to shape you as a person rather than necessarily enhancing your academic traits. My French has improved greatly as well with a mix of both academic settings in my French courses, along with everyday settings at cafes and bakeries at which I’m a regular. For example, there’s this one bakery five-minute walk from my residence and I go there every morning and always get the same thing: a croissant and a pain au chocolat. It’s run by some ladies who seem like they’ve been friends for years and they each always greet me and ask me how I am today and best of all, they always know what I’m getting. This all occurs in French of course, and it concludes with a very warm and friendly “au revoir et a demain,” bye and see you tomorrow. I go every morning, not only because it’s the best bakery in all of Paris, but because it always fills me with a sense of warmth and home almost. For me, Paris will never be home, but it will always be a part of me and the unforgettable time that I have spent here is shaping me into who I am now because I feel very, very different than I did my first day here. I will be leaving Paris to go back home May 28, so until then, I can’t wait to fully appreciate the two remaining months that I have left here.

The pictures included are of the Jardin du Luxembourg with one of my friend’s hair and the Eiffel Tower in the distance. That was a very nice day where we had some crepes in the garden and then enjoyed the ambiance.

The other picture is of an American restaurant down the street from me and I just really liked the contrast of the French flag with the American restaurant and I think that it came out pretty nicely.