Thank You, Paris

I vividly remember the announcement on my flight over the Atlantic, "This is your captain speaking, we are just about 40 minutes from touchdown in Paris. Prepare for landing."

"THANK GOD!" I thought. My anxiety was through the roof and I needed to get off that plane sooner rather than later.

Next thing I knew, I was through customs and standing at baggage claim for over a half hour. That's when it hit me. Oh my god. I am here. For four months. In Paris. What did I get myself into?!?

Deep breaths. Relax. I went through the rest of the first twelve hours abroad feeling like a walking zombie. No sleep, adrenaline rushing, reconsidering everything.

I am not going to lie, the first month was hard. The days were short and the nights were long. The sun was only up for nine hours a day and I was dealing with some major homesickness that no one ever knew about because I was too focused on putting on a a strong face for my friends. Even though I always planned to go abroad - ever since I found out it was an opportunity I would have in college no matter where I went - I was rethinking my decision. I found myself watching endless episodes of Modern Family because I a.) I needed to fill the time and b.) it reminded me of home. I did not want to call my parents because I worried that it would cause me to miss home too much, so I planned trips and went on a lot of runs because fortunately there was not any snow on the ground.

Orientation was a busy week and classes commenced immediately after. I planned trips with my roommates and caught up with other friends abroad. Things got better.

Fast-foward, and I mean really FAST forward, and here I am writing this three weeks - to the day - from leaving my new home to return home. I cannot believe how fast this adventure has gone, I cannot believe that I have been here for four months, I cannot believe how much has changed, but most importantly I cannot believe how much I have grown as a woman.

For that, thank you Paris, from the bottom of my heart, for everything. Paris, you have given me the experience of a lifetime. You have turned me into a stronger, more determined, more CONFIDENT woman that I could have ever imagined I would be. Thank you for showing me what life is about! Life is about taking risks, stepping out of your comfort zone, making some crazy changes, and LIVNG! Thank you Paris for making me feel uncomfortable, making me question, for forcing me to make moves and make decisions. Thank you Paris for making me the woman I am.

Abroad, yes, can be all fun and games. Traveling is amazing and staying out until the sun comes up in  Barcelona is also pretty sweet. The memories you make will be with you for years to come. The friends you make will stay with you. You will laugh a lot, you will cry a lot, you will eat a lot, you will drink a lot... but you will learn a lot. I do not think I could have grown as much as I did as a person without this experience; and for that, I am forever grateful.

In three weeks time, I will return home and this will all become a fond memory. But until then, I am going to soak up every last second in this city that I have come to call home.