France is a country known for its beautiful architecture with condensed side roads that date back all the way to the Roman era. It was unknown to me that these beautiful antique constructions made residents have to walk to these areas instead of utilizing cars and public transportation since such methods do not reach the old aesthetic buildings due to the high amount of tourists and tiny roads. It was a new experience to walk 30 minutes from my host family to the university who was located in the heart of the historic center district. At first, it was difficult to assimilate to the fact of walking 30 minutes every day in the hot summery weather two times or even four times depending on the day. Eventually, I learned that there are secret meanings behind walking for the French. I discovered that even if French residents have cars, they tend to prefer to walk to places that are 30 minutes away or less in order to help the environment. French people are very concerned individuals that worry about the current state of the environment and strive to take as much responsibility to find small steps that help the environment improve. No matter how small the action is, every act has an impact. Of course, over time walking every day made me realize the small impact that many students have by walking to school rather than driving made each trip more enjoyable. I took the walking opportunity as a chance to think in peace while enjoying the breeze and music playing in my headphones. At the end of the program, I have come to acknowledge that those walks to class and back home were incredibly harmonious and soothing. It has also pushed me to develop better habits in myself and to spread the positive aspects of this situation to my close friendships. Now that I am back, I go on walks or walk to places that are near rather than driving. I aim to make my friends join me in this calming journey while influencing the environment positively step by step. After coming home and spreading my experiences, I realize that I completely forgot that walking to school 30 minutes is not very common in the United States; but after sharing the beneficial opportunities that come from such little activity, my family and friends view the amazing exposure that I was presented to.
Ultimately, I have become more prepared to respond to new cultures and conflicts in foreign countries and even in my home country. By looking for the constructive and promising outlook of each situation one is in, the assimilation progress and the personal growth that one has is immaculate. This study abroad experience has taught me to adapt and grab the best outcome of each situation and I plan to bring this acquired quality to my future interactions.