Being placed in France has been one of my best life experiences so far. I have no regrets about studying abroad and although I have faced confrontational moments; such encounters have taught me life lessons and have strengthened my development of character. My biggest struggle so far has occurred during the weekends. I normally dislike having long free periods of time, however, I have learned to manage this issue at home by scheduling myself for events on the weekends. In the United States, I tend to go to public workspaces in order to finish my work, or I schedule activities for personal growth or just for entertainment. If I’m not in an appointment, I am usually driving to parks or a coffee shop to do work. I also have the possibility to drive to my long-term friends’ houses or to rest at my parents’ house. All of those habits and opportunities had to be changed. In France, it is very difficult to find coffee shops with Wi-Fi or to find parks to sit in and enjoy nature while studying. Although I miss my life back in Orlando, such experiences have taught me to value even the smallest aspects of life everywhere I go. I still miss my life in Florida, but I am appreciating all the everyday things and tasks that I do in France. From enjoying my coffee at my host’s house and taking bites of my brioche bread, to the unforgettable relationships I have developed with fellow students and the French civilians in the city. I have adapted to the environment, even on the weekends. Since coffee shops with Wi-Fi are not common in France, I have found new original places to do work or to relax with friends. In a very short period of time, I have come to acknowledge that those confrontational moments that made me want to return home at one point, have turned into favors and demonstrated to me the value of living in the present and appreciating all present aspects. I have become more grateful for life and have developed a more open-minded perspective on change.
