Managing Expectations

Shireen Khandelwal
Wed, 14 Dec 2016 17:01:53 +0000

Travelling comes with expectations. Before the beginning of my study abroad, I had many expectations about my semester in Paris. Staying home during the winter, my mind bred different possibilities for my experiences and transformation in France. Unreal expectations resulting from this included: full fluency in French, extensive travel plans (which completely disregarded academic and monetary factors), and an immersion in the Parisian way of life almost instantly. Needless to say, reaching Paris and getting familiar with the relatively rigorous academic structure brought my feet back firmly to the ground. I realized that this semester would not be perfect.

This rude awakening was only enhanced by a week of sickness, which could not have come at a worse time. I had never once fallen ill during my previous three semesters in New York. That meant it was the first time I was sick away from home. Fever, throat ache and cold came all at once in the week in which I had an essay due and two presentations not to mention a class trip to Normandy, France. The first day of fever and cold brought with it homesickness, along with body ache and a sore throat. Tears followed soon after, mainly because I could not take advantage of being sick.

I have always associated with illness, the opportunity to just lie in bed for hours and watch my favorite T.V. series. However, the pile of homework and looming deadlines had different plans for me. I needed to keep working, perhaps occasionally rewarding myself with an episode of FRIENDS. I am sure there are other people who were probably going through more difficult times but that week seemed never-ending for me! Not to be overly dramatic, but it felt like the universe was plotting against me, the rain contributing little to help my situation.

The worst part, however, was the incredible throat ache because of which I could not eat anything I wanted (spicy food). Out of all the aforementioned troubles I was going through, not being able to eat comfort food was probably the worst! A trip to Normandy on that weekend probably weakened my already fragile immune system but the place seemed worth it. Considering I have no will against the temptation of food, I naturally ate the ice-cream dessert NYU had so generously paid for, promptly making matters worse for my throat.

While my thoughts were primarily occupied by a strong craving for a milkshake from Amorino’s, I had never felt more like an adult. In the end, it was all a learning experience, from going to the wrong doctor to making myself endless cups of tea. Even though I probably complained more than I should have during that week, at the end of it, I was glad that it happened. I internalized that experience (horrid as it was) positively to be ready for more challenges that I will have to face alone. I looked awful, felt awful, but it wasn’t the end of the world