Category: Catherine in Rennes

It’s Just a Regular Thursday…

Published on by Catherine BakerLeave a comment

As the seasons have continued to change and the rise in stress has started to become more apparent, I can’t help but think about the fact that I’m not home for Thanksgiving. This year will mark the first time someone in my immediate family is missing a holiday.

As I have continued to think about what I will do in lieu of out family traditions, I can honestly say that I don’t know. I might as well sleep in, go for my usual cappuccino and croissant, read, study for exams, and pass the day like it’s any other.

When my sister was doing her study abroad, we spent our Thanksgiving with her in Paris eating delicious food at the oldest restaurant in the city, sipping cocktails, and seeing the city lit up by holiday lights and the sparkle of the Eiffel Tower.

Even though there was some parisian exploration, without my family, it doesn’t feel the same.

Hopefully this year I can either make my own tradition or I can live with the knowledge that my family will be together for the holiday in my head.

If you are spending Thanksgiving alone, I do have a few ideas to remedy the loneliness:

  1. Read, all day!
  2. Go to the movie theatre.
  3. Take yourself out to a nice dinner and enjoy your own company.
  4. Watch Stranger Things Season 5 Volume 1.
  5. FaceTime with family all day.

I don’t really know what this year’s holiday season has in store for me besides an ungodly amount of oral examination, however that’s okay, because I’m excited to learn about how I cope with feeling lonelier than usual. It’ll be a personal exploration of my mind.

Group Project Blues

Published on by Catherine BakerLeave a comment

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.