A beautiful dream
It's been some time since I arrived back in the states, and I've had a chance to reflect on my experience abroad in Aix. Truthfully, I wish I had spent a full semester in Aix. I cannot describe to those of you who have not had the opportunity to stay in Aix all of the beauty I witnessed and collected during my stay here. For those of you who were there -- you know what I am talking about.
Studying art in Aix through the Marchutz program was one of the most amazing things I have done. I came into the program having slim to none in terms of knowledge about painting and drawing. The professors were very kind and understanding and made me feel that I had a lot of potential. I met a diverse collection of amazing individuals who I really came to know and consider as great friends. I learned so much about the culture of Aix and France at large as well as the cultures of my peers and their ways of living and doing things.
I came home with photos and paintings, a few gifts, a greater understanding of the world, and new friends. However, those six weeks feel like a beautiful dream - one that I wish I could lucidly return to at night. I came home with a passion for trying new things. I went out of my comfort zone and I have no desire to return. But life goes on and we all have responsibilities and returning to our real worlds and daily lives is a necessary evil when we throw ourselves into the exciting undiscovered for a time. We always come away with a new aspect to ourselves. I must remind myself to remember that I'll never lose what I learned, and I'll always have my memories and photos.
It's been some time since I arrived back in the states, and I've had a chance to reflect on my experience abroad in Aix. Truthfully, I wish I had spent a full semester in Aix. I cannot describe to those of you who have not had the opportunity to stay in Aix all of the beauty I witnessed and collected during my stay here. For those of you who were there -- you know what I am talking about.
Studying art in Aix through the Marchutz program was one of the most amazing things I have done. I came into the program having slim to none in terms of knowledge about painting and drawing. The professors were very kind and understanding and made me feel that I had a lot of potential. I met a diverse collection of amazing individuals who I really came to know and consider as great friends. I learned so much about the culture of Aix and France at large as well as the cultures of my peers and their ways of living and doing things.
I came home with photos and paintings, a few gifts, a greater understanding of the world, and new friends. However, those six weeks feel like a beautiful dream - one that I wish I could lucidly return to at night. I came home with a passion for trying new things. I went out of my comfort zone and I have no desire to return. But life goes on and we all have responsibilities and returning to our real worlds and daily lives is a necessary evil when we throw ourselves into the exciting undiscovered for a time. We always come away with a new aspect to ourselves. I must remind myself to remember that I'll never lose what I learned, and I'll always have my memories and photos.