After almost five months in France, it's finally begun to feel familiar. Not until recently have I felt that when I'm away from Lyon, going back is like going "home." It's like when you first go to college and after a while, you realize that you feel more at home at school than you do in the place you've spent most of your life. I'm so incredibly excited to see my friends and family, but I know I'm leaving a wonderful family and friends here; a home I've created for myself. I'm not sure what I'll feel when I'm back in the US, but the words "reverse culture shock" do come to mind. However, I know that no matter what, I'll always been incredibly grateful for an experience that's taught me more than I could imagine. I've gained so much confidence in myself and my abilities to cope on my own, and to handle any situation. I feel like after coming to a foreign country completely alone and being okay, I'm really capable of anything. And not only am I okay, I have had the best semester of my life. I have absolutely zero regrets. From now on, my primary goal is to figure out how I'm going to get back to this ridiculous, wonderful place.
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ReplyDeleteThe reverse culuture shock and awkwardness goes away quickly. The comparisons you'll make that will lead to small dissatisfaction takes a bit longer. Its apples to oranges, but a part of you will still prefer pastory Wednesday and miss that new best friend. I know that your friends and of course your family have missed you.
ReplyDeletehey madeleine! i ended up on your blog by accident (thank you google) and turns out i loved it! i'm currently living in lyon, and it was very pleasant to see your point on view on many aspects of this lovely city.
ReplyDeleteoh and i loved the "pastry wednesday" definitely going to keep this idea!
:)