A Reflection On My First Semester In France
It’s the end of Semester 1 already which is crazy! We said goodbye to Semester 1 students and the Semester 2 kids will be arriving in January. I can’t believe that half of my time in France has already flown by. It’s been three months of challenges, accomplishments, adventures, and experiences. Here are some memorable memories and changes I have noticed about myself in these past few months:
I don’t think I’ve had such an eventful past three months in my whole life until moving to France. There’s always something happening in my life here, whether it’s a simple joy of drinking a latte after school or taking the wrong train to another city. France is filled with so many opportunities that come up everyday, so I’ve learned to become more spontaneous in enjoying the moment and loving every minute of it! Some of my favorite planned and impromptu memories from this semester were celebrating my birthday with my host family, swimming in the Marseille Calanque in my clothes, an unplanned karaoke night at an awesome burger joint, seeing the Strasbourg Christmas Markets, and learning how to do a backflip at a trampoline park on the last day of Semester 1.
Before moving to France, I was in boarding school for two years, so I knew what it was like to live away from home. Even though I’d lived away from my home, I was still sheltered with boundaries and wasn’t as independent as I am now. Living in France has given me the freedom most high schoolers don’t have until college and beyond; I go out when I choose, travel on my own itinerary, eat where I want to eat, and am responsible for myself. Through having my own independence without a parent or teacher looking over my shoulder, I make my own decisions and choose how I want to plan out my day, everyday. With this freedom, you can take it and run with it too far, or just the right amount. I’ve learned how to take advantage of this given freedom by grasping every experience possible while also managing my time wisely in what’s important to me.
Throughout these three months I’ve gained more confidence in myself. I’ve learned how to embrace my true self through blogging and making my Youtube videos. Before coming to France I’d always wanted to create videos, but I was too scared about what people at my school might think of me. Here in France, I’ve accomplished letting loose and not caring about what others may think of me. This is one of the best things that has happened to me in France, because it will take me far for the rest of my life. When you think of judgement too much, it will hold you back from your dreams. Now, I’ve learned how to live for myself, not for others and their perception of me, and it’s made me become a happier person who is on the path to achieving her goals!
Lastly, I have developed my social skills. Before these past three months, I was very shy and had a difficult time starting and keeping conversation, and making my voice heard in a group of people. Going into my study abroad program I knew no one, so I had to step into making new friends all from scratch. I couldn’t keep my old ways of being the quiet girl in the room, hoping someone would approach me. Instead, I put myself out there, started conversations, spoke up in class, and took any opportunity to meet new people. I even started conversations with French students which is something I could have never seen myself doing a year ago. I’ve developed a new mindset about making friends, creating new relationships, and being social: if you never tried you would never know what might’ve happened. As well as if your attempt goes awkwardly or embarrassing (has happened a numerous amount of times with my host family), there’s always tomorrow, and they won’t be replaying the moment in their heads in 24 hours.
I’ve had an unforgettable first 3 months in France, and I can’t wait to live up my next five months in France. Time flies so fast; this experience is something I will never take for granted because before I know it I’ll be on my flight back to the United States. But for now, I’m going to take every experience and every moment possible! From getting lost on my bus route home my first week to completing an 8 minute oral presentation only in French, I’ve come a long way, and it won’t stop here. Let’s see it Semester 2!🌟
