I spent last weekend visiting my boyfriend in Washington DC. The whole district felt extra patriotic because they were preparing for Monday’s inauguration. As I walked past the White House and the National Mall, it really hit me--this was my last weekend in America until May.
Of course, I knew this was coming. My whole fall semester was filled with preparations for France--applying to the program, figuring out Campus France, applying for a Visa--and I’ve been dreaming of going to France for years. I’ve always planned on studying abroad my Junior year, and my heart has been set on France since I started taking French in middle school. Now that it’s actually here though, it almost doesn’t seem real. It’s hard to wrap my head around the fact that the day after tomorrow I’m getting on a plane, and that a week from today I’ll be living in a place I’ve never been to, with a woman I’ve never met, and attending classes with classmates who, with the exception of Sarah, my roommate from my home university, I only know from their posts to the IAU Facebook group.
To be completely honest, I’m way more nervous than I anticipated. I think it’s just because there is so much unknown. I am a planner by nature, but it’s hard to plan things for the upcoming semester. I’m just going to have to learn to “go with the flow”, which does not come naturally to me. But don’t get the wrong idea, I’m also really excited. Aix looks amazing from what I can see online and what my French professors have told me, and I can’t wait to travel around Europe! I’m not sure exactly where I’ll go yet, but we get two weeks off, and I’m going to take full advantage of them! I’m most excited to go to Paris. I’m looking forward to Aix because I want to see how the locals live, and try to immerse myself in the local culture. But in Paris, I know I’m going to be a complete tourist. The Eiffel Tower, L’Arc de Triomphe, Champs-Elysees; I want to see it all!
As I sit here in a state of nervous excitement, I can’t help but laugh when I see the state of my room. It looks like my suitcase exploded, there are piles of clothes everywhere. Somehow I need to fit everything I need for four months into a suitcase, a backpack, and a carry-on tote. In theory, I will leave extra room for souvenirs and gifts I buy in France. But this is the final test. I have my Visa, booked a hotel with Sarah for our first night, and made arrangements for my host to pick me up at the hotel the next morning. I’ve said goodbye to friends and family, and made promises to Skype and email frequently. Looks like it’s time to get packing!
Of course, I knew this was coming. My whole fall semester was filled with preparations for France--applying to the program, figuring out Campus France, applying for a Visa--and I’ve been dreaming of going to France for years. I’ve always planned on studying abroad my Junior year, and my heart has been set on France since I started taking French in middle school. Now that it’s actually here though, it almost doesn’t seem real. It’s hard to wrap my head around the fact that the day after tomorrow I’m getting on a plane, and that a week from today I’ll be living in a place I’ve never been to, with a woman I’ve never met, and attending classes with classmates who, with the exception of Sarah, my roommate from my home university, I only know from their posts to the IAU Facebook group.
To be completely honest, I’m way more nervous than I anticipated. I think it’s just because there is so much unknown. I am a planner by nature, but it’s hard to plan things for the upcoming semester. I’m just going to have to learn to “go with the flow”, which does not come naturally to me. But don’t get the wrong idea, I’m also really excited. Aix looks amazing from what I can see online and what my French professors have told me, and I can’t wait to travel around Europe! I’m not sure exactly where I’ll go yet, but we get two weeks off, and I’m going to take full advantage of them! I’m most excited to go to Paris. I’m looking forward to Aix because I want to see how the locals live, and try to immerse myself in the local culture. But in Paris, I know I’m going to be a complete tourist. The Eiffel Tower, L’Arc de Triomphe, Champs-Elysees; I want to see it all!
As I sit here in a state of nervous excitement, I can’t help but laugh when I see the state of my room. It looks like my suitcase exploded, there are piles of clothes everywhere. Somehow I need to fit everything I need for four months into a suitcase, a backpack, and a carry-on tote. In theory, I will leave extra room for souvenirs and gifts I buy in France. But this is the final test. I have my Visa, booked a hotel with Sarah for our first night, and made arrangements for my host to pick me up at the hotel the next morning. I’ve said goodbye to friends and family, and made promises to Skype and email frequently. Looks like it’s time to get packing!