Well, if we're being completely honest here, a large portion of my time spent studying abroad was eating baguettes to the point that my mouth began to hurt ... but that is besides the point.
This past Fall of the school year, I had the opportunity to study abroad in Strasbourg, France for four months (I know what you must be thinking--another study abroad article? Yes, bear with me). Because it has been a couple of months since my arrival back to the U.S., I can look back on my experience objectively and distinguish different parts of my journey that I have come to miss. While it is near impossible to describe life in France and all that encompasses the country, I will do my best to speak on behalf of aspects of France that have changed me as a person. While study abroad definitely had its ups and downs, I will be forever grateful for my experiences there.
1. Paris.
If you've never been to Paris ... you need to go (seriously). Throughout the many countries, cities, and places I was able to visit during my time abroad, Paris was by far my favorite city. Paris is more amazing than the books, music, and plays make it out to be. Before visiting, I really did not know what to expect. But, the atmosphere is unlike anything else. A lot of times I felt like I was almost in a painting--everything was so intricately detailed and in light pastels. Not to mention, one of my favorite moments abroad was when I saw the Eiffel Tower for the first time. At the exact moment that we were taking a metro from the inner-city toward the Eiffel Tower, I glanced over to my left and saw it, and a man was playing "La Vie En Rose" on an accordion in the background. This is a moment that I will never forget.
2. The food.
I could write an entire book on this section. You cannot understand how important French cuisine is to its inhabitants until you experience it firsthand. What I learned is that the French use the best ingredients for everything that they make. This includes using the best milk for cheese, which Americans definitely do not do. Also, French bread, especially baguettes, is extremely important and the main staple of their food culture. Having the opportunity to work in a boulangerie (a French bakery) I was able to observe this passion of food. The French focus on quality, versus quantity. Everything they make is with purpose. Looking back on my experiences with amazing french baguettes, it is comical to see Americans attempt this.
3. The music.
Anywhere you go in France, you will find music. Every day as I walked down the streets there was music playing. The music that I heard was usually live, especially in the city centers. In Strasbourg, there would be people performing on the streets, which surprisingly a majority of the people would be singing in English. This would be accompanied by different instruments including accordions, violins, guitars, etc. Never living in a major city before, this was not something that I was used to. The presence of music added to the beauty of each city in France, and made you feel like you were in a movie. I miss this special aspect of France every day.
4. The wine.
During my time abroad, I only drank water ... and a lot of wine. Most of the time, wine was cheaper than water, so it only made complete sense that that's what we drank, right? One weekend we were able to go to a wine-tasting festival in Barr, France which is a very small and quaint town. There we were able to walk up the vineyard, and drink wine in between the many rows of grapes being grown. Since France is very known for their wine, you pretty much couldn't go wrong with any type you drank.
5. The scenery.
Besides the many beautiful cathedrals and amazing buildings, the most amazing place, in my opinion, that I saw abroad was Versailles--probably because of my obsession with Marie Antoinette and also how amazing the gardens were. When we visited, we spent about nine hours there and walked around the gardens a majority of the time. I've added a picture of one of the parts of the gardens below, but it definitely does not do it justice. If you are able to go to Paris, it is necessary to go to Versailles--you won't regret it.
6. The people.
I just want to add that I saved the best for last. While there are many stereotypes of the French that they are cold and unfriendly, that is not what I experienced in the months living there. In order to fully understand the French, you must know them. While others take it as being unfriendly, they simply do not expect a lot from others and are very independent people. Because I was abroad during the time of the Paris attacks, the effects of this extended to Strasbourg as well. After such a horrific event, I gained so much respect for the people of France. Rather than letting this defeat them, they continued to do what they love: eat, drink, and laugh with people that they love.
"Our faith goes to music! Kisses! Life! Champagne and joy!" #ParisIsAboutLife.
