First of all: happy thanksgiving my fellow Americans!
Mine has definitely been great so far. So much led me to be where I am right now, having Thanksgiving lunch with great friends I have made here at IAU and experiencing some of the best moments of my life. During Fall Break I wrote my last post here, and I remember I was just overcoming my fears and insecurities about studying abroad. And I’ve continued to do so! I have gotten so much closer with everyone here and I feel like I know the city very well already. Even though there is this sense of familiarity now, I still feel the excitement of being in France, where just months ago I was a newcomer and a stranger. Even so, I still feel like there are still many moments to be lived, so many experiences to be had and so many places to explore.
Which is why I feel complete opposite sentiments at the moment. I feel extremely happy and in place, but I already feel the anticipated sadness of going and having to leave this dream experience I have been living in the past months. With all my friends spread in the USA, we won’t see each other very often, but I will have reasons to travel all over the country when I come back. I will be happy to go back to my family and my friends, but I will have friends here that I will have to leave. Thus, I feel conflicted. But it’s not negative, gladly! I am just too grateful for all I am living at the moment. As cheesy as it sounds, there’s a Winnie the Pooh quote that describes this situation so perfectly: “How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard“. Nothing could describe it better.
Thus, be thankful for all your experiences and all the people you meet! Time passes by quick and when you notice it it’s time to leave. I will definitely be taking all these amazing memories for life.