Reflection & Departure

I can’t believe Travel Study is complete. These past five weeks have been among the most formative and fun I have had in my life. Though I am prolonging my time in Europe with a few weeks of personal travel, I am so sad to be leaving Paris. After a short time here, this city quickly began to feel like home. For my last post, I would like to reflect on my journey and come back to the goals I set in my first post. Before that, I’ll recap how the program wrapped up!

The last week of Travel Study was a blur. From studying for finals, preparing presentations, and soaking in our last moments in Paris, it was BUSY! However, I wouldn’t have wanted it any other way; it felt productive and made me realize how I had made the most of my time in Paris and how much I have grown since the beginning.

After we presented our Paris Par Thème presentation, I celebrated with friends with our final picnic along the Seine. It was the perfect sunny evening where we stopped by the grocery store to snag all our favorite French food to commemorate the day. We chose the island near Pont Neuf, the oldest part of Paris and where it was founded. We watched the sunset and recounted some of our favorite memories from the last five weeks.

A swan came out to say hello!

However, we didn’t stay out too late because our final was the next day! Before going to bed, I crammed in some studying and continued in the morning. We went to school that afternoon and took our exam, I think it went well! After school, the program had activities planned for us to celebrate the conclusion of Travel Study 2017.

We began the evening with dinner as a group in the 2nd arrondissement. On the way, we walked by Hôtel de Ville (Paris City Hall). I remember walking by here on my first day in Paris; it seemed like a fitting end to come back here again. The program treated us to a delicious meal to wrap up our last dining experience in Paris! After dinner, we walked to Pont Neuf to enjoy a river boat along the Seine.

Ravioli + Pesto Cream Sauce

Veal + Creamy Potatoes

On the river boat, we sailed by all the major landmarks. It’s crazy how these places once seemed so foreign, but feel like home now. I felt like I was walking (well, sailing) through all my favorite memories at my favorite places. I realized how much I’ve grown and my gratitude for these experiences. At the end of our boat ride, we said goodbye to everyone and parted ways (until we are reunited when we return to Los Angeles in the fall).

Musée D'Orsay

Pont Alexandre

La Tour Eiffel

Notre Dame

In regards to my goals I set at the beginning, I can say that I thoroughly accomplished them and so much more. I noticed the greatest improvement in my listening comprehension and speaking ability. I found myself thinking in French (not thinking in English and then translating), which has been an immense improvement. While I still struggle sometimes with grammar, I am more confident in my vocabulary and ability to use complex syntax. FRENCH 100: Descriptive & Narrative Writing helped develop these skills due to our creative writing project. Though I had never done creative writing in English, I found this experience to be very rewarding despite the occasional difficulty.

Champs Elysées

At Centre Pompidou

Sunset in Montmartre

Some of my favorite pictures

I am sad that I have reached the conclusion of my Travel Study adventures, but I am grateful for all my experiences and memories. I notice that I say “final” several times in this post, but I know this won’t be my last time in Paris! (I’m already scheming to come back soon). Travel Study has not only introduced me to a new a city, but a new culture, language, and new friends. I hope this blog has offered insight to Travel Study and I hope it is something you consider for your college experience. Before, I sign off on my final post, there’s a few thank yous I need to say.

Thank you, to the International Education Office for your support throughout this experience and giving me the opportunity to share my experiences with you through this blog. It is an honor to represent UCLA IEO and to promote Travel Study.

Thank you to the program coordinators, my professors, and classmates for creating a fun learning environment and for giving me the best summer yet.

Thank you to my host family for welcoming me into your home. I appreciate your willingness to share French culture and, for me, living in Paris was an absolute dream!

Thank you to my parents for supporting me in my studies and allowing me to participate in Travel Study! I can’t express my gratitude for your unwavering support of my educational goals. (and thank you for visiting me in Paris!)

And, finally, thank you to you reading my blog. Thank you for following my adventure and investing your time reading about my life abroad. I hope it has inspired you to try something new, to learn, and to explore.

From Paris with love,

Gina