I've been here in Paris for one week! That feels a little surreal to say. My first few days were... how can I put this... actually quite horrible. I had multiple anxiety attacks, cried everyday, and seriously thought that coming to Paris was a SERIOUS mistake. Anybody who says that studying abroad is amazing and wonderful has left out a big part: culture shock, missing home, and feeling seriously overwhelmed. Apparently, though, feeling all of this is completely normal. Anybody who is considering studying abroad, listen up!
Organize as many things as possible before your departure! Any decrease in stress is well worth the effort!! Even after a week I still find myself wondering if I should have just stayed home and instead saved up money and gone on a long vacation to Paris. Seriously consider if you want to take the enormous time and effort it requires to live in a foreign country, it is
not for the faint of heart.
I'm happy to say, however, that within 3 more days, the anxiety has almost disappeared, and I am happy to be here!
I've been so busy the past week I haven't had time to come to Starbucks (Free Wifi), and upload photos. I have a feeling that blogging from now on will consist of 3 posts in one day covering my previous week, because of wifi (it's a loooong, boring story).
Here are some shots of my departure and my first few days in Paris. Although I was feeling culture-shocked and terrible during these days, I did force myself to visit the Eiffel Tower:
{La Tour Eiffel!}
{Under the bridge near the Eiffel Tower}
{American Church steeple...I think...}
{Eating Breakfast at home before airport}
{At the airport! Comfortable, cute outfit}
{First meal: bread, cheese, meat}
{View from my window! So Parisian}
{The Park near my house, you can see the top of the tower!}
I'll be back within the week (hopefully) to post more photos and tell you more about what I've been up to! Until then, au revoir!
Oh Hannah! I'm so glad you are adjusting and doing better. It is really overwhelming to be in a foreign country away from home, but you are doing great and it looks like you are having fun. Plus when school starts you will be busy. Enjoy each day, I'm so glad you went!
ReplyDeleteLove you! Lisa :)
Super impressed!
ReplyDeleteI can relate to so much of what you wrote! In 2009 I had the crazy idea to visit Paris by myself from Los Angeles- but I had no studying abroad program to actually work on. That would have helped alot. To be busy, to make friends. Instead I stayed for 5 days and had to come back home because I was feeling super sick. It's actually known as "Paris Syndrome" when some people go to Paris and get culture shock. However, you are already passed that hump and I'm sure your study program will provide some balance and security. Good luck! :)
ReplyDeleteI want to travel to Paris, too!
ReplyDeleteLooks like a pretty place (:
http://annisherzchen.blogspot.de/
Good to hear you're adjusting. Have you seen the Eiffel tower by night? It's so much more beautiful than by day.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy paris! It'll be great! It's the 'reverse culture shock' that's really tough. I studied abroad after my senior year and have never quite gotten over it and that was 11 years ago! :) But in a good way, your study abroad experience will forever make you a global citizen and that's quite addictive... Have fun!!
ReplyDelete