The
end of the year has arrived, and so has the end of my time in France for now.
The past year was full of every type of emotion one could imagine, and it wasn’t
always easy. The year offered an opportunity for growth and maturation that I would
not have had if I stayed in the United States. I learned so much about myself
and I was pushed all the way out of my comfort zone. As I look back on my year
as a teaching assistant, I realize that my French language skills have made
great progress, my self-confidence has improved in leaps and bounds, and I have
forged amazing connections with both my American housemates, and also with the
students and staff and members of the community here in Deauville.
With the end of the year winding
down I have still found time to travel and experience all that the region has
to offer. In the beginning of June, Andrew Coburn, the other Sister Cities
Representative and I, traveled to Brussels, Belgium. We sampled all of the delicious
treats that Brussels had to offer, and saw some unforgettable sights.
In the middle of June, Jessi Bohon,
the teaching assistant from Tennessee and myself traveled to Paris to welcome
an old friend of Jessi’s from college for a visit in both Paris and Deauville.
It was great to connect with someone from home, and I know that Jessi enjoyed
seeing a friend from college. We stopped by some of the familiar sights to
reflect on them again, and made new memories.
In the end of June now, I was
treated to a visit from my aunt and uncle. It was such a great experience to
share my new home with my family, let them see where I spent my last year. Together
we traveled to Mont Saint Michel, a monastic abbey in Bretagne, and spent the
next day at the beach. It was incredibly special and touching to share moments
like this with family.
I will miss my students and the
friends that I have made here. I will miss the routine that I have found myself
into. I am extremely grateful that I had an opportunity to learn and live
abroad, and I will carry these memories with my for the rest of my life
.
