Where do I even begin? These last five months have flown by faster than I ever imagined possible. So fast, in fact, that it feels like I've only been here for a few weeks. But in other ways, it feels like I've lived here my whole life. Paris has become so familiar to me that I can't remember ever not knowing it. The French language also feels normal to me now. It's no longer so much of a foreign language, but rather a second one. I find myself dreaming and thinking (and some times swearing) in French without even realizing it. So as I prepare to say my goodbye-for-now to Paris, I'm promising myself a few things:
- Don't let this be the most fluent in French you ever get. Keep learning and keep practicing. One day you will be bilingual.
- This has been the best experience of your life – so far. Don't be afraid to make even better memories down the road.
- Once you graduate college, don't let yourself get sucked into a mundane work routine. Keep things interesting. Make time to write, make time to travel and most of all, make time for yourself.
If you've ever met anyone who has studied abroad, you may have heard the experience is life changing. But I'm not so sure about that. Yes, a lot of things changed while I was away, myself included – but my life isn't drastically different. The blurry parts have just become a little bit more in focus. I've realized and learned so many things about myself and the world since January that I can't even begin to explain them. I'm not even sure I've gotten a solid grasp on all of these things yet myself, to be quite honest. But as reluctant as I am to leave this astonishing city, I'm excited to go home. And I'm even more excited for what comes next. So, so long from Paris. This Fox in France is about to be back in Wisconsin.
– Gertrude Stein