I’ve been home for a week now and it feels like nothing has changed here. The family is doing well, Hinsdale is filled with familiar faces, and summer is beginning to make its appearance. It sometimes feels like this semester never even happened. It’s so easy to fall back into old routines and habits and get comfortable with what’s familiar. But as I look back at my pictures and read my journal, I remember all of the wonderful moments in the land across the pond.

Many lessons were learned over those four months, and ranged from little things to big ideas. The idea of going abroad reeks of change. People think that they are going to change the way they dress or change the way they think.  But what I’ve discovered is this semester has given me the opportunity to be more of who I am.

Here’s what I mean. When surrounded by students from all over the U.S. who were so different from me, and some of whom were not totally confident in who they were, it gave me some perspective to get to know more about myself.

Who am I? What qualities do I have that are uniquely me? It’s odd to ask these questions of yourself, but even odder to find an answer in four short months. This semester taught me more about myself in ways that I could never have imagined.

Getting to explore Europe was something I always dreamed of, but nothing compared to actually living it, and doing so with people I just met. One of my favorite trips to look back on is my trip to Munich. It was still early in the semester and I was traveling with two of my friends in my program. Visiting Neuschwanstein Castle has been on my list for as long as I can remember, and the time had finally arrived. It was even more magical in person, and taking the time to really soak it in and realize where I was only pushed me to want to travel even more. Seeing this in real life was so amazing, and experiencing it with new friends made it even more special.

I’ve definitely adapted a few French traits during my time in Aix, but I think the one that I loved the most but will also be hardest to keep up with is the slow paced and relaxed lifestyle. The French simply know how to enjoy life in a way that most Americans can’t. Being back this week I’ve already noticed how easy it is to get wrapped up in all sorts of unnecessary stress, but thinking about my time there I’m trying to slow things down. Not everything needs to be a massive rush and you can think more clearly when being more relaxed. That is definitely something I am going to continue to work on, and hopefully make a habit.
I’m beginning my internship next week, and I will have had two weeks to get caught up on rest and Chicago fun. I’m incredibly excited to start, and I’m excited to use the things that I’ve learned in France in the workplace. It will definitely be a transition once again, I mean strolling on the Cours Mirabeau is not quite the same as a 9-5 desk job, but I know that good things are ahead. Aix en Provence will always have a little piece of my heart, and I cant wait until the next time we meet.

La vie est belle.