A note to the reader: I’ve been keeping a travel journal since day 1 of my study abroad experience in Nantes, France, and I thought it would be fun to revisit some of my earlier entries and compare them with my experiences now. So here we go!

THEN: January 3rd, 2017. TGV from Paris to Nantes. 3:00pm.

First glimpse of the CDG Paris train station

OK, I’ll admit I was a little naïve with this one. IES Abroad (my study abroad program) had warned us that it was best to bring minimal luggage to go on the TGV (Train à Grande Vitesse, aka “very fast train”– the French really like acronyms). Hypothetically, I’m all about the minimalist packing approach- don’t pack more than you’ll need. However, despite my best efforts I ended up with 3 pieces of luggage: my backpack, my smaller grey leopard-print suitcase, and an obnoxiously large suitcase that will henceforth be called Big Red.

Now, I’ll admit that it was a little difficult getting through the airport with all this stuff, but it was manageable… until I reached the Paris train station.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned so far, it’s that politeness will get you nowhere in a crowd of French people. I waited, and waited, and waited as the platform slowly emptied and everyone boarded the train. Part of my reluctance was due to having to haul two suitcases around, but the other part was due to the fact that my seat was on the second floor, and the only way to get to the second floor was (you guessed it!) by taking the stairs.

Already imagining my doom, I finally gripped my suitcases, said a prayer, and stepped onto the train. All I know is that God must have been listening, because I definitely could not have taken those suitcases up those stairs on my own (though I did invent a leap frog suitcase-carrying technique, which was slow and arduous… but necessary). Once I finally reached my floor, I found the last spot for Big Red, wedged him in there with the help of a very kind lady, and just like that, we were off.

A jet-lagged look out the window- I love the French countryside

NOW: February 8th, 2017. Nantes, 22h00.

It’s pretty funny to read that TGV story now, and think about how scared and bewildered I was just one month ago. As I listened to the French conversations around me and watched the outskirts of Paris whizz by, I felt like I was in some weird dream where I had decided to live in France for 4+ months, flew there by myself and hauled my luggage up the stairs of the TGV- seriously, did I really do that? For the first time in a long time, French was happening all around me, not just at school or the random French music on my Pandora station…I’m really in France! I had to keep reminding myself.

It’s not so hard to remind myself I’m in France now! I am surrounded by French wherever I go, which is any French major’s dream. In fact, I realized that I’m speaking about 99% French and 1% English on a daily basis, to the point where it feels weird to speak English. Never thought that would happen!

One clear reminder that I’m in France- the food! Une galette (savory crêpe) oeuf, jambon, fromage à la raclette (melted cheese)… YUM

There are moments, however, where I miss English. The ease of speaking it, the casual “yeah”. I do have some chances to speak English, the biggest one being my teaching internship, where I act as an English teaching assistant in a 7th grade classroom. It has been really fun so far, but even then I have to consciously tell myself not to speak French to the kids! The brain is truly fascinating in its ability to adapt, and I’m finally getting a taste of what it’s like to be truly bilingual. C’est cool!*

*Yes, the French really do say “cool”! Variations: C’est trop cool! (literally: “It’s too cool!”), c’est vachement cool!, etc.