Author: Catherine Baker

Hello! I'm Catherine and I am studying abroad in Rennes, France. I cannot wait to see what adventures this year has in store. Please join me in my adventures both in and outside of France!

Group Project Blues

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If, by the end of the year, you have not begun to despise group projects, then congratulations, you are better than me in a million different ways.

Although group projects are a good way to meet students who are from all over the world, or in my case, locals, I have come to realize that there are much better ways to make friends and meet the people you go to school with. One example, simply asking someone if they are looking for something to do over the weekend.

As an introvert, and someone who suffers from the fear of embarrassing myself, I have had to muster up the courage and complete group projects with international and French students alike. It has not been easy, and the journey is nowhere close to being over, but being forced into social situations (although hasn’t lead me anywhere socially), has allowed me to expand my academia and my resilience.

I hope that one day, my hatred for group projects fades away, however, I don’t think it will. And that’s okay. I’m okay with enjoying a long paper over standing in front of a crowd for 20 minutes. I’m okay with not wanting to be asked questions about a topic that I (probably) haven’t done enough research on to be an all-knowing expert on the topic.

This is just my opinion. I know that there are people who would prefer to go the presentation route, and I envy you for that. But also, be kind to those who need more time to settle into their role. Be kind to the people whose voices shake when the speak in front of the class. Some of us would prefer to write.

My favorite thing so far, despite my introversion, has been group travelling.

Halfway Homesick

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I am half way through the semester and a quarter way through the year, and I haven’t decided whether or not I am truly happy here. It’s tough to be happy here when thinking about the fact that my parents are back home and my friends are in Denver. However, I know that I will never forget this experience and that this time in my life is going to be one of my favorites.

It’s a strange feeling being in a place that’s supposed to be “home” for now, but not quite feeling like it yet. I wake up, walk the same routes to campus every day, go to classes, eat meals with people who are slowly becoming familiar, but I still sometimes I Feel like I’m watching my life from the outside. I tell myself it’s normal. Change always comes with a bit of discomfort, and that’s okay.

When I first arrived here, everything felt exciting: the buildings, new faces, independence. There was this rush of excitement everywhere. I could be anyone, do anything. But once the excitement wore off, reality set in.

I miss home in ways I didn’t expect. It’s not just the big things, but the little ones too. The way my house smells like pine and my mom’s perfume, the sound of my dog running to the door when someone comes home, the comfort of knowing exactly where everything goes. Here, everything takes adjusting to, even grocery shopping feels like a small adventure.

The homesickness is quiet and sneaks up on me when I’m walking to class or when a certain smell reminds me of home, or when I scroll through photos of my friends hanging out without me. I remind myself that they’re still a part of my life and they’re living their lives too. We’re all growing in different directions right now, and that’s part of what makes this part of my life so important.

This time away from home has forced me to get to know myself better. When you’re surrounded by the familiar, you don’t always notice your own habits or strengths. But when you’re on your own, you have to figure things out. I’ve learned that I can handle more than I thought I could.

I don’t know exactly how the rest of the semester (and year) will go. I will have more ups and downs, more questions, more moments of missing home. But I also know there will be laughter, new memories, and growth that I can’t predict.