Tag: France

Soul Searching in Other Cities

Published on by hadleyway1 Comment
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hadleyway

I finally found myself in a city – and I left myself there.

I saw on TikTok a quote that read, “If you feel drawn to a city, that is because your story is waiting to be written there.” I never thought this to be true. I have been to many cities my entire life, but I was never “drawn” to one in specific. I can call Denver my second home, but that has been after years of building it to be one. Although when I visited a certain city, I instantly knew what people were talking about.

I am in love with Florence. It has taken a lot of adjusting, but I am very happy about my decision to study abroad at LdM. I am learning so much about the culture and history, and I’ve been having a blast with my roommates. But that being said, it wasn’t easy at first. It was hard getting my bearings and adjusting to the ways of Florentine people. Let’s just say that when I landed in Florence, I didn’t have the immediate feeling that I was home.

I have been lucky enough to enjoy my study abroad experience by traveling to other cities and countries. I’ve been to other cities in Italy, along with Germany, Austria, and France. Each trip felt exactly how it should – a trip. But something about visiting Paris was really different and very special.

I have always dreamt of visiting Paris since I was little. I’ve taken French classes my whole life, and even hosted an exchange student from France. The moment I touched down in France, I felt something shift. It is so cheesy, but it is so true. I spent an entire day walking around alone – I popped into several grocery stores to even get a taste of what my life could be like. The city is huge, but it wasn’t daunting to me. I was able to figure out the metro easily and practiced my *very* rusty French when ordering at the cafe. It was the little things I did during my few hours alone that made me feel free and so adult to make my own decisions. I could so easily picture myself living and working here in Paris, and now I am even more determined to make that dream a reality.

Although I didn’t chose to study abroad in Paris, I still think I made the right choice. I have been able to test what I love and leave a little bit of myself here in Florence while also working towards my next goal. People say all the time that study abroad is about finding yourself. Well I did, and she’s waiting for me in Paris. 

arrivederci, or à bientôt,

Hadley

Thanksgiving Abroad

Published on by taliafrankelLeave a comment

If I were in the United States at this time of year I’d be spending this week curled up in my parent’s living room, spending time with my friends and family, and helping (or hindering) my parents as they prepare for the event of the month: Thanksgiving dinner. Thanksgiving in the United States, despite its problematic background, is a time for families to come together, share thanks, and eat copious amounts of food. While I don’t have a large family outside of my parents and brother, I have grown up using this holiday as a time to reconnect with friends new and old, and now that I’ve moved halfway across the country for college that time is even more important to me. However, this year is different. Instead of traveling from Denver to Vermont for Thanksgiving, I’ll be spending the week in Aix en Provence!

While it can be hard to be away from my family home on Thanksgiving, I’m lucky to be able to have my family visit me during the holiday week. My mom, dad, and brother all arrived on Monday to spend the holiday with me and my friends, bringing a piece of the holiday to me! While they spent much of their week here taking in France and enjoying their holiday, their visit for me was about connecting with and spending time with my family. Rather than a turkey dinner complete with mashed potatoes, stuffing, and typical Thanksgiving side dishes, my family enjoyed a Thanksgiving dinner of steak tartare, escargot, and charcuterie…. maybe not traditional, but certainly no complaints.

Although my 2022 Thanksgiving experience was a far cry from the typical American Thanksgiving, it could only be considered more special for it being celebrated in France and still surrounded by the people I love the most. However, holidays abroad can be challenging for many reasons, and there were still many things to miss about the classic American experience.

Although I had my family with me, this was the first time in a decade that I had not celebrated Thanksgiving with my close family friends. Since leaving for college, spending time with the people closest to me has become rarer and rarer. Missing one of the only times of year that we can all be together makes the distance feel farther, and I’m sure many other students abroad are feeling the same thing. Not being in your family home for a holiday can increase feelings of homesickness, especially so late in the semester.

No matter how you spent your Thanksgiving this year, whether it was home or abroad, with family or friends, eating turkey or not, it is a time to be grateful for the good that we have. This year I’m grateful for my family, my friends (near or far), and especially for this amazing experience that I will never forget. With that, I wish you all the happiest Thanksgiving and start to the holiday season!