Wow, I can't believe I only have 3 weeks left for this adventure! It has flown by the past couple weeks. I am still spending a lot of time on school work. I had nothing to do the first 5 weeks, and now I am slammed with work. I have made some amazing memories here and I am so glad I decided to take the leap and study abroad. In August, I was so nervous about leaving and a semester seemed like forever but now that it's almost over, I realize how quickly it has gone by. I was able to maintain my friendships back home through iMessage and FaceTime, I spoke with my family regularly using Skype, and I managed to keep my 2 1/2 year relationship going. The relationship definitely took the most work as far as figuring out communication and explaining what it is like studying abroad. Especially, when all of the movies show that it's just partying all of the time.
I know when I get home, it is going to feel strange and unfamiliar at first, but I am so ready to eat Taco Bell, Cracker Barrel, and Baja Burrito! One thing about France is there are definitely not as many food options as in America. I am also looking forward to having a car and being able to go anywhere, anytime.
The hardest thing about only being here for a semester is forming a deep connection with the people you are with. It's bittersweet because everyone wants to make lifelong friends but in the end, you will never see most of these people again. I have struggled with this the most. I feel like I didn't form any deep connections here, so when I'm having problems or going through something, I have to rely on my friends back home to try and slightly understand what I'm going through.
I am glad I did this by myself and came all alone because I have grown as an individual but it would have been easy to have someone I previously knew, here with me. But who wants easy? The hard way is more difficult but I was able to discover stuff about myself throughout this process. For example, I am a master of Metro and Tram systems, I can plan trips without any effort, and I can be independent and on my own.
I am so excited about going home but in the meantime, I am enjoying my last couple weeks here :)
Hillary