Studying abroad is something almost everyone says they want to do. Why would you would not want to go to another part of the world to gain knowledge and culture, while also having the most beautiful time of your life? Although it's a thrilling and fun thing to talk about with your friends and family, finally deciding on where to go is nerve-wracking. Your decision on where to spend an entire semester could make or break your entire trip. It is doubtful that anyone could possibly be dissatisfied in their new, exotic home for a few months, but what if there was a place better suited for you? 

This is why it makes it hard for me when I tell people I long to go to Paris, France. "What!? But those Parisians are so rude," and, "But you don't even know a word of French," are two common ones I get. But guess what? I do not care. And in the Parisians' defense, they don't mean to be arrogant. According to Marianne, a political magazine, the French work extremely long work hours (longer than American ones) and are under immense stress. Also, imagine if your city was a top tourist destination. I'd get pretty tired of guests lingering around all the time too. And as for the language barrier, I am pretty sure the Parisians don't even like when Americans try to speak French. Most of them can speak English and some of them, especially waiters, probably would rather not waste their time trying to decipher my crappy language skills. Sure, I'll study the language a bit, but I am not going to worry about impressing anyone.

Once I go to Paris, I do not think I will ever want to return. 

First of all, I could survive off of wine, bread, and cheese, three major food groups in Paris. I long to take a baguette, a plate of cheeses and some delicious French red wine to one of the countless, charming parks there, where all of the Parisians just live in the moment. Oh, and the food in general...I long for some authentic French Croque Monsieur, onion soup and Coq au Vin (this is chicken cooked in wine)! I have also heard that the smell of crepes is hard to miss when walking down the streets. I bet America's crepes do not even come close in comparison.

You can walk almost anywhere there, and the journey may almost be even better than the destination itself. The sights are inspiring and beautiful: the perfect sights to see during some reflection. Have you ever heard that Paris may even be more beautiful in the rain? I do not doubt it at all. A walk down the Seine, the Champs Élyseés or the le Canal St. Martin would be the most amazing experience I've ever known. 

Seeing "Midnight in Paris"was probably the ultimate deal-breaker for me. I cannot even begin to imagine walking on the same boulevards as Gertrude Stein, Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald or Picasso. Their creativity obviously came from this magical city. I would love to wander in to a little French bookstore (even though I can't read a word of the language) and just feel the presence of old French writers. And I want to spend all day in the Louvre just to see all my favorite French paintings. Can you imagine seeing the Mona Lisa in person?

So, I want to drink wine on a café terrace, experience the French fashions, eat macaroons in tiny bakeries, read in beautiful parks, watch the Eiffel Tower sparkle at night, drink St. Germaine in the real St. Germaine, ride the metro around the city, put my feet in the banks of the Seine, eat countless amounts of French chocolate and just fall in love with the city. 

Paris, I will see you soon.