In what city & country is your study abroad program located?
Aix-en-Provence, France
What is something you would like the blog readers to know about you that they wouldn’t know by just looking at you?
I would want the readers to know that I struggle with anxiety which is one of the reasons I would like to blog. By sharing my struggles with anxiety abroad and how I manage to overcome them I feel may be able to help others that have the same worries. At the very least I think writing about these struggles may help me accept them and adjust abroad as well.
What is one thing that you are most anticipating about your study abroad experience?
I am most anticipating feeling like a stranger. That may sound odd, but I am very excited to slowly start to understand and learn more about a culture different from my own. By being a “stranger” I am opening myself to the ability to come to understand and make the foreign culture my normal for a few months.
Why did you decide to study abroad? or What inspired you to study abroad?
I have always wanted to study abroad and specifically in France. I have been taking French for 9 years and wanted to be able to increase my understanding of the language and the people in this country.
This is a photo from one of my favorite lookouts in Boulder that I often go to with my family.
One of the key challenges I’ve faced since becoming an adult is balance. I don’t know if it’s just a me problem, but one of the hardest things about life on your own is keeping lots and lots of balls in the air simultaneously. Classes, studying, work, social life, paying bills, keeping up with family back home, cooking dinner, working out, etc. There is always something to do, and sometimes it feels impossible to devote the right amount of time to each aspect of life. I’m forever impressed by those people who seem to have it all together, but the reality is those superheroes are probably struggling just as much as I am.
This struggle has not disappeared since I’ve been living in Buenos Aires, but it has changed. I’m not working, which is like a breath of fresh air. And the basics – meals, a roof over my head – are provided for by my host family. Nevertheless, I feel like I’m constantly busy and continually fighting to maintain a regular schedule.
This week, for example, I spent an entire day running around trying to solve an issue with my money exchange service. After visiting three different locations and calling three separate customer service numbers, I finally gave up, and I still haven’t solved the problem. Then, of course, there were classes to attend and homework to do. Another day I spent hours shopping, hoping to find a pair of boots I could wear to fancier events like tango shows. I turned up empty-handed because I found almost nothing in my size – the downside of being tall, I guess. And because I’m also here for a good time, I went out several times this week: bowling, museums, restaurants, bars, and clubs. On a few of those nights, I stayed out pretty late Argentine-style. This meant I had to sleep in the next day and had even less time to get everything else done.
One of those late nights
Don’t get me wrong; I am definitely not complaining. I’m grateful to have so much to do and lovely people to spend time with. But I’m still learning to set aside time for rest and relaxation, which is just as important as any other facet of life. Overwhelming my schedule is only going to burn me out. I keep reminding myself how limited my time is here (only three months left???) and pushing myself to take advantage of everything. But I’m not a superhero, and doing literally everything is simply impossible.
Living abroad is the perfect time to try new things, meet new people, and travel to new places. I love the challenge of going for it. At the same time, going abroad is also an important opportunity for self-reflection and personal growth. If I don’t leave time in my week to sleep, to take a deep breath, to truly do nothing… I’m depriving myself of that opportunity.
I’ve been surprised by how easy it was to adapt to life here, but I forget that I am thousands and thousands of miles from everything I know and love. It’s natural to feel overwhelmed! No matter how hard I try, I’m just not a superhero. Anyone who claims to be is lying. I’ll have to give up that futile battle and let myself rest from time to time. And by rest, I mean finally finish Breaking Bad. Wish me luck.
DU Abroad 