After a week spent in Germany, as I boarded the train back to Aix to take my flight home, it all felt so unreal. It felt as though I was just on another weeklong trip but I would be returning to my wonderful host mom's for more school. It wasn't until I was about 4 hours from Newark that I actually realized I had left, not to return to Aix for a long time. This past semester was a great experience. I met so many new people, made amazing new friends, and learned about a whole new culture. Plus, I learned to speak French much better.
Now that I'm back and reflecting, I'm certainly glad I studied abroad in France. Some parts of the semester were a bit rough, but I never got too discouraged. I ended up with a great host mom and housemate and we were both incredibly sad as we left. I learned so much about myself this semester too. I learned I like having my freedom, I don't like living in cities, I even came to the conclusion that I certainly picked the right major after I had an internship in a field I once considered making my major. There was a lot of personal growth as I studied abroad and wouldn't change that for the world. It all does feel a little like a dream though, its hard to believe that I actually lived in France, away from my friends and family for four months. I visited 5 other countries and actually worked in a French laboratory, but I will always have the pictures and the memories I made in France to remind me that I actually did this, it wasn't just a dream.
However, as I celebrated Memorial Day with my family and friends, the song, I'm Proud to be an American, was never more true for me. I loved France but I wouldn't trade America for anything. I'm so glad I had this amazing experience but I am very content to have returned to my small town in Pennsylvania.
Now that I'm back and reflecting, I'm certainly glad I studied abroad in France. Some parts of the semester were a bit rough, but I never got too discouraged. I ended up with a great host mom and housemate and we were both incredibly sad as we left. I learned so much about myself this semester too. I learned I like having my freedom, I don't like living in cities, I even came to the conclusion that I certainly picked the right major after I had an internship in a field I once considered making my major. There was a lot of personal growth as I studied abroad and wouldn't change that for the world. It all does feel a little like a dream though, its hard to believe that I actually lived in France, away from my friends and family for four months. I visited 5 other countries and actually worked in a French laboratory, but I will always have the pictures and the memories I made in France to remind me that I actually did this, it wasn't just a dream.
However, as I celebrated Memorial Day with my family and friends, the song, I'm Proud to be an American, was never more true for me. I loved France but I wouldn't trade America for anything. I'm so glad I had this amazing experience but I am very content to have returned to my small town in Pennsylvania.