I have now been back in the states for a little over a month, and, honestly, not a day goes by that I don’t think about my time in France. I had such an incredible time. I miss the friends that I made, the town that I called home, and my wonderful host family. This experience was truly an experience of a lifetime, and here are some things that I learned from it:
- Be flexible and open-minded at all times. Going to a new country is extremely daunting, especially when the culture and language are so much different than you are used to. You have to be willing to make mistakes and make a fool out of yourself and learn from it all at the end of the day. You may find yourself describing something to a waitress or even your host parents and they will have no clue what you’re saying and that’s okay! You just have to adapt and let yourself make mistakes.
- Travel alone at least once. I never thought something that seems so simple could make such a difference. Travelling by myself made me feel so much more independent; I felt like if I could travel across France alone then I could for sure do anything else. It may seem crazy, but it’s a really enlightening experience. Go outside of your comfort zone – it’s where you tend to learn the most!
- Get out and do things! Of course there are times when you just need to sit and binge watch Netflix for a day, but do not let it happen too often! Get out and wander the city or the town. Go to a café and do homework. Go meet new people. Do anything you can to make the most of your time abroad because man does time fly!
- Make connections and get to know your professors! My professors were some of the coolest people I ever met, and by the end of the semester they were offering to write me letters of recommendation. It is really important to make connections with those who you come into contact with abroad because you never know how they may help you if you want to return someday, and you can learn a lot from them! You’re only abroad for so long so make the most of it and put your best foot forward.
- Finally, (and most importantly) Have Fun! After all you are in a new country and there is a whole new world to discover. Meet new people, explore new places, climb a mountain with people you barely know, do whatever is going to make you happen because it is a once and a lifetime experience that you are embarking on.
Those are some of the top things that I learned. I wouldn’t trade my experience for the world, and I don’t think I will ever truly be able to put it into words. If you have the chance to go abroad I encourage you to do so, for I am beyond happy that I decided to take a step outside of my comfort zone and travel half way around the world. I’m happy to be back in America, but Aix-en-Provence, France will always have a special place in my heart.