My Return to the States

Read all the exciting things our scholars have been up to!

The University of Rennes hosted an evening where we could learn about wine and cheese in French.

Now that I have finally resettled back into the States, I noticed that I have been suffering from a severe case of withdrawals.

I miss absolutely everything about Europe.

Each day I think of the people, my friends, the food, my French classes, the old world architecture, the sunny beaches, the fairy tale-like forests, being able to enjoy the simplistic pleasures of reading a book outdoors or having a coffee and croissant at a café, always listening to the various languages spoken all around me, learning the historic content of the cities I am visiting, being able to walk everywhere, or waking up and knowing that each day would be different and filled with new adventures.

Fortunately, I do happen to live in Austin, Texas. Despite the incorrect views of many of my European friends, Austin is not a desolate city that is filled with cowboys, cowboy hats, cowboy boots, cows, deserts, and guns. (Well…okay we do have guns!) However, Austin is a vibrant city filled with music, art, festivals, food, local businesses, hiking, kayaking, swimming, and brimming with creativity.

Now that I have returned, I am actively trying to combine my two worlds by continuing with my explorations, immersing myself in cultural events, and staying active by going outside everyday despite the 100-degree weather.

After studying abroad in France for a month and venturing later on my own to other countries, I have regained my love for independence and confidence of going into the unknown. My wanderlust for traveling and adventure has been reignited so much that I am already in the works of planning my next destination.

This experience has been more than I ever expected, and I feel like I can carry forward my knowledge of French and the connections I have made into my future field of International Relations.

Thank you to Fund for Education Abroad for helping me achieve my dreams.