I chose to study abroad in Paris, France this semester at the American University of Paris for many reasons. I have been studying French since elementary school, and my desire to achieve fluency in the language by immersing myself in French culture for four months was one. I have always been drawn to the idea of living in such a bustling city, so full of life and energy. Paris is timeless.
My political inclination and desire to be as involved as possible in the 2016 election cycle as well as the 2017 Presidential inauguration had me choose Spring semester of my sophomore year to study abroad. My two best friends would also be in Europe and I thought if they were ready so was I. It didn't matter that I had never been abroad before, I was ready to take the leap of faith. Or so I thought.
Now I know what you're thinking. "Isn't she at GW this semester?" You are definitely right in that respect. The evening before my study abroad orientation, terror struck Paris. Gunmen and suicide bombers hit a concert hall, a major stadium, restaurants and bars, almost simultaneously, leaving 130 people dead and hundreds wounded. I attended orientation anyway, trusting that our advisors would direct us on how to proceed from there, which they did. They told us the trip would still continue, and how we couldn't let these acts of terrorism prevent us from having a great experience abroad. Our peers in Paris were all okay.
Immediately after orientation, I received several hectic phone calls from my family, telling me they were pulling me off of the trip. It wasn't just my parents, but my uncle and grandparents were all on the same page. I lashed out at my mom, saying surely we can negotiate something and that I still desperately wanted to study abroad this semester. My family decided that I was not going to go abroad this semester.
All of a sudden, I was appealing to refund my flights, registering for classes at GW, trying to find new housing, and preparing to say goodbye to my best friends who were headed on their own adventures abroad. Although I was extremely disappointed for a long time, I now realize that I just wasn't ready to go abroad this semester. I had maturing to do and needed to figure out myself and what I wanted before taking that jump.
I don't know when I will live in Paris, but I have plenty of time to do so. I feel a strong connection and draw to the city, even though I have never been there. I am so looking forward to immersing myself in the language and experiencing the city. I know Paris and I are meant to be, and one day we will have each other.
