I miss France SOOO much!!!! I miss hearing FRENCH every single day, I miss walking everywhere, I miss walking by the ancient buildings, I miss my typical breakfast of museli, yogurt and jam, clementine and baguette, I miss my internship, I miss my host family, I miss seeing the well dressed people, I miss the markets, I miss everything!! Please take me back!!
For the past 2 months, I have been in denial of returning home. I had no desire to return even though, I did book a ticket back. I could've stayed in France for at least a year or more. Aix became my second home away from home. When you become attached to a place, it's hard to leave it. My last 2 days in Aix were rough.
On Wednesday, I was completely swamped. I had to work 8 straight hours for my internship. Not what I was expecting since I had so much to do (ie. packing, flight check-in, host family gifts and other important stuff). However, it was nice to see my students one last time and to say farewell to my wonderful co-workers. By 8:2pm0, I finally got home and suddenly felt overwhelmed. I was feeling extremely sentimental at leaving in addition to all the crap I had to get done. But low and behold, I somehow managed to pull through, like I always do. Everything got accomplished, I was only 1 pound over the weight limit and I made all my flights. Wednesday night, I got to give my host family their presents and their letters, I cried because I was so sad to leave and I was going to miss them dearly. They had the utmost positive affect on my experience and I am forever grateful to them.
The next day was tough. I only got 3 1/2 hours of sleep and I had to leave the house at 5:30am to catch my 8:45am flight. My host dad was generous enough to drive me all the way to the airport. He even accompanied me to the security gate!
We said our final good byes and I was about to cry. It was a great moment and a good way to end my experience. I will really miss my host family A LOT. My flight from Marseille to Munich was only 1 1/2 hours. It was smooth and easy going. My flight from Munich to JFK was not bad either. It seemed to pass by quickly even though I was flying back in time...what a weird concept. Anyways, I met this really nice guy from Cali who was doing his medical schooling in Poland for 6 yrs. He was on his 3rd year and was heading back to LA for 2 weeks for Christmas. I was totally envious of him. I too, was returning home but I wasn't coming back unlike him. Talking to him about his story and his travels was a nice relief from my sadness of leaving France. It was therapeutic in a sense because we both shared abroad experiences. After talking to him, I have definitely considered the possibility of studying or working abroad in Europe for a longer period of time. Who knows, I might get my masters somewhere and somehow! Now comes the worst part of my trip back. My flight from JFK to Syracuse wasn't until 10:50pm...the plane from Munich arrived 40min early so I was waiting at the airport for a solid 8 1/2 hours. HOW FUN!..not. When I went to my departure gate around 9, they told me there was a delay and my plane wouldn't leave until midnight. By that time, I was absolutely exhausted and just wanted to be home. I had been traveling for a good 32 hours. I finally got home at 2am on Friday.
All in all my experience abroad was amazing, fantastic, wonderful, phenomenal and positive. I have learned soo much about myself, people and the world. As I reflect now, it seems like I was in some alternative universe, like I never left home. My dream since I was a young girl was finally lived out! I made lifelong connections with my host family, Aix the city itself and my co-workers. I finally made these connections towards the end of my journey (it usually happens like that). 3 1/2 months is NOT enough time to do anything. Sure, it seems like a long time when you sign up for it but when you're actually living it, it seems sooo short and quick. If I had the means to stay for a year, I would have without a doubt. From this experience, I realized I will return to France. That is a definite. I have this intuitive feeling. It will happen by happenstance or by my own will but I know it will happen. At this point in my life, I have no attachment to my home in the US. I have caught the traveling bug and am eager to see the world, whether that's returning to Europe or going elsewhere. I guess that is typical in your twenties behavior and mentality. My home in Syracuse is no longer a sentimental place for me besides my mom. In the near future I wouldn't mind becoming a nomad and traveling the world. I have this hunger within me to discover, meet, learn and help others. It's definitely realistic and it's most likely going to happen. I made my study abroad experience come true, why can't I make this next adventure come true? I am young. It's better to fulfill this next dream now then later. Therefore France, I will see you soon. A bientot!
Seeing as I've finally awoken from my two day slumber, here are my observations of America so far:
1) It's weird to be back here. I don't feel at home, not yet.
2) New York/Long Island from a plane looks so cramped, dull and dead. This is because of the season but still, not the gorgeousness of Europe with its vibrant colors and living history.
3) America is a melting pot, especially in New York, obviously
4) Hearing English is so bizarre! I enjoyed hearing 5 million different languages
5) Americans really are fat...I've seen like 25 obese people already
6) Americans dress terribly. What a pity. I miss the good fashion sense of Europe. I miss the good looking European men.
7) Paying sales tax sucks! I liked how it was included in the price in Europe.
This may seem like a negative perspective of the US. Perhaps it is, but I did just come from a different culture for 3 1/2 months. I am not purposely dissing the US but those were my first thoughts that came to me when I arrived at JFK. I love the US. In fact, I love both countries. Each country is unique and special. Both have its ups and downs. I am loyal to my first country but I am also prideful of my second home away from home.
After studying abroad, I have considered these options:
1) Changing from a french minor to a french major
2) Taking the TOEFL exam
3) Senior year, J-term traveling France, Spain and Morocco
4) Living in France for a year or more
5) Doing a masters in Europe or somewhere abroad
One last thing, my host family has an open bed for me whenever I come back. That is the best thing ever. Good luck to them with their new house!
For the past 2 months, I have been in denial of returning home. I had no desire to return even though, I did book a ticket back. I could've stayed in France for at least a year or more. Aix became my second home away from home. When you become attached to a place, it's hard to leave it. My last 2 days in Aix were rough.
On Wednesday, I was completely swamped. I had to work 8 straight hours for my internship. Not what I was expecting since I had so much to do (ie. packing, flight check-in, host family gifts and other important stuff). However, it was nice to see my students one last time and to say farewell to my wonderful co-workers. By 8:2pm0, I finally got home and suddenly felt overwhelmed. I was feeling extremely sentimental at leaving in addition to all the crap I had to get done. But low and behold, I somehow managed to pull through, like I always do. Everything got accomplished, I was only 1 pound over the weight limit and I made all my flights. Wednesday night, I got to give my host family their presents and their letters, I cried because I was so sad to leave and I was going to miss them dearly. They had the utmost positive affect on my experience and I am forever grateful to them.
The next day was tough. I only got 3 1/2 hours of sleep and I had to leave the house at 5:30am to catch my 8:45am flight. My host dad was generous enough to drive me all the way to the airport. He even accompanied me to the security gate!
We said our final good byes and I was about to cry. It was a great moment and a good way to end my experience. I will really miss my host family A LOT. My flight from Marseille to Munich was only 1 1/2 hours. It was smooth and easy going. My flight from Munich to JFK was not bad either. It seemed to pass by quickly even though I was flying back in time...what a weird concept. Anyways, I met this really nice guy from Cali who was doing his medical schooling in Poland for 6 yrs. He was on his 3rd year and was heading back to LA for 2 weeks for Christmas. I was totally envious of him. I too, was returning home but I wasn't coming back unlike him. Talking to him about his story and his travels was a nice relief from my sadness of leaving France. It was therapeutic in a sense because we both shared abroad experiences. After talking to him, I have definitely considered the possibility of studying or working abroad in Europe for a longer period of time. Who knows, I might get my masters somewhere and somehow! Now comes the worst part of my trip back. My flight from JFK to Syracuse wasn't until 10:50pm...the plane from Munich arrived 40min early so I was waiting at the airport for a solid 8 1/2 hours. HOW FUN!..not. When I went to my departure gate around 9, they told me there was a delay and my plane wouldn't leave until midnight. By that time, I was absolutely exhausted and just wanted to be home. I had been traveling for a good 32 hours. I finally got home at 2am on Friday.
All in all my experience abroad was amazing, fantastic, wonderful, phenomenal and positive. I have learned soo much about myself, people and the world. As I reflect now, it seems like I was in some alternative universe, like I never left home. My dream since I was a young girl was finally lived out! I made lifelong connections with my host family, Aix the city itself and my co-workers. I finally made these connections towards the end of my journey (it usually happens like that). 3 1/2 months is NOT enough time to do anything. Sure, it seems like a long time when you sign up for it but when you're actually living it, it seems sooo short and quick. If I had the means to stay for a year, I would have without a doubt. From this experience, I realized I will return to France. That is a definite. I have this intuitive feeling. It will happen by happenstance or by my own will but I know it will happen. At this point in my life, I have no attachment to my home in the US. I have caught the traveling bug and am eager to see the world, whether that's returning to Europe or going elsewhere. I guess that is typical in your twenties behavior and mentality. My home in Syracuse is no longer a sentimental place for me besides my mom. In the near future I wouldn't mind becoming a nomad and traveling the world. I have this hunger within me to discover, meet, learn and help others. It's definitely realistic and it's most likely going to happen. I made my study abroad experience come true, why can't I make this next adventure come true? I am young. It's better to fulfill this next dream now then later. Therefore France, I will see you soon. A bientot!
Seeing as I've finally awoken from my two day slumber, here are my observations of America so far:
1) It's weird to be back here. I don't feel at home, not yet.
2) New York/Long Island from a plane looks so cramped, dull and dead. This is because of the season but still, not the gorgeousness of Europe with its vibrant colors and living history.
3) America is a melting pot, especially in New York, obviously
4) Hearing English is so bizarre! I enjoyed hearing 5 million different languages
5) Americans really are fat...I've seen like 25 obese people already
6) Americans dress terribly. What a pity. I miss the good fashion sense of Europe. I miss the good looking European men.
7) Paying sales tax sucks! I liked how it was included in the price in Europe.
This may seem like a negative perspective of the US. Perhaps it is, but I did just come from a different culture for 3 1/2 months. I am not purposely dissing the US but those were my first thoughts that came to me when I arrived at JFK. I love the US. In fact, I love both countries. Each country is unique and special. Both have its ups and downs. I am loyal to my first country but I am also prideful of my second home away from home.
After studying abroad, I have considered these options:
1) Changing from a french minor to a french major
2) Taking the TOEFL exam
3) Senior year, J-term traveling France, Spain and Morocco
4) Living in France for a year or more
5) Doing a masters in Europe or somewhere abroad
One last thing, my host family has an open bed for me whenever I come back. That is the best thing ever. Good luck to them with their new house!