I can’t believe it. I have one week, and then I leave.
These months have gone so fast, in a tornado of trains and French and classes and sandwiches from the boulangerie. I’ve been realizing that this city has truly become my home since I came. When I leave, will leave a piece of myself here, and take a piece of Paris with me.
I know that before I decided to study abroad, everyone told me to do it. They said I’d grow, change, and learn more about myself than ever before. And honestly? I didn’t really believe them. I knew enough about myself already.
But now, looking back on these months, I have grown. I have changed. And I’ve learned.
There’s surface level things, it feels totally now if I try to eat dinner without a fresh baguette. Then there’s more involved stuff. Since returning from spring break, I’ve noticed how outstanding my French has come along. When I first came here I could hardly hold a conversation with my host mom, but now I’m talking for 15-20 minutes a time with my professor, all in French. It’s astounding, and I feel so proud of myself.
And yes, I’ve learned about myself. I have done so much here, for myself. I’ve gone out there and done things I wanted to do for me. I faced challenges and handled on my own. Being able to live in a strange country, with a strange language, all on my own, I feel as if I can do anything.
I kept thinking of Ernest Hemmingway, how he was an expat in Paris. I read A Moveable Feast about his time here, and it was honestly a comfort. To hear about this American finding his way here (I heard somewhere he never even learned French, at least I have one up on Hemmingway), and I thought: if he could do it, I can do it too.
I don’t to know what else to say, other than packing is going to be crazy. I don’t know if I’ll write before I get back to the states, but we’ll see. One thing’s for sure, I am very excited to see my family. I’ve missed them something terrible.