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Welcome to the third and final installment of “Study Abroad in France with Josh.” This one is a recap of my last two weeks abroad.

After adjusting to life in Angers those first two weeks, by the third week, I finally felt like a local.

One of the most memorable moments was meeting an executive from Chanel, one of the world’s most iconic fashion houses. 

If it is in God’s plan, I hope the meeting leads to an internship with the brand someday.

The conversation included valuable career advice and a deeper look into the communications industry. The conversation also highlighted the importance of being multi-skilled.

In a changing corporate world, versatility is becoming one of the most valuable qualities employers look for. Here’s a tip: learn to do more than one thing to stand out in the job candidate pool.

Later in the week, in my Oral Communication course, our professor assigned a project where we had to give a five-minute presentation in French without any notes or help. 

I presented on the Independence Day celebrations in Guatemala, my dad’s home country.

The presentation was nerve-wracking, but I am proud to say I earned an A.

The third week ended with a dream of mine coming true: I visited Paris for the first time.

I spent about 48 hours in the Ville Lumière (the City of Light).

Our first night included a boat ride on the Seine. The sun doesn’t set until nearly 10 p.m. during summer, so we timed it perfectly. 

At 11 p.m., as we floated by the Eiffel Tower, the lights sparkled. It was magical. Standing on the boat in the middle of Paris, watching the tower glisten, is a feeling I cannot even begin to put into words.

Saturday was nonstop in Paris. We started with breakfast at Angelina’s, one of the city’s oldest cafés, followed by a visit to Place Vendôme and a quick stop at Chanel’s historic boutique on rue Cambon. We also toured the Galerie Dior, picnicked by the Eiffel Tower and did a little thrifting.

Dinner was surprisingly at McDonald’s, before heading out to Fête de la Musique, where the city came alive with music and dancing. We ended the night with a walk along the Seine and a visit to Notre-Dame before finally crashing at sunrise.

On Sunday, we took it slow. After brunch in Montmartre, we visited the Champs-Élysées, then later picked up our bags and took the train back to Angers.

The fourth week was the final stretch.

I had two tests and a presentation, but despite my post-Paris fatigue, I am proud to say I aced all three final assessments. My French Culture and Civilization class had us reflect on tourism in France, and I was more than glad to share my experience.

On Friday, we received certificates from the Centre international d’études françaises at Université Catholique de l’Ouest. 

Then, we went on our final excursion to the Anjou region, visiting the troglodyte caves, a winery and the Château de Saumur, also known as the Castle of Love. We ended the day with dinner in a restaurant built inside a cave.

Saturday was spent at the Musée des Beaux-Arts in Angers, followed by crepes and a farewell gathering at my host parent’s home. We played games, drew portraits and shared one last meal together.

Saturday night I packed my bags nervously. One bag weighed 63 pounds, well over the 50-pound limit. This led to me paying for an extra bag.

Sunday was a long travel day.

We woke up at 4:45 a.m., had breakfast with our host dad, then made our way to the train station for our journey to Charles de Gaulle Airport. 

While waiting hours for our flight, I was complimented on my outfit by a luxury store employee. Ironically, my entire outfit cost less than a single jacket in the store.

The flight to Washington, D.C. went smoothly, until I learned my carry-on was left behind in Paris. No need to worry, though. It arrived back in Houston by Wednesday.

Nevertheless, despite the bag hiccup, the study abroad in France experience was unforgettable.

I finished the program with A’s in both of my advanced-level courses, which I had been worried about on day one. Now back in Houston, I plan to add French as a second minor starting this fall.

Studying abroad was an invaluable experience. If you’ve ever considered it, I cannot recommend it enough. It changed the way I view the world and myself.

Thank you for coming on this journey with me and reading these installments of “Study Abroad in France with Josh.” It has been a pleasure.

À bientôt.

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