Here are the things that are worrying me about this adventure:
1) What if my baggage gets lost or my flight is delayed?
2) What if all the other participants just want to party all the time? What if they think I'm lame and no one likes me?
3) The French consider direct eye contact and smiling a pick-up attempt. I make eye contact and smile at most people I pass on the street!
4) The French are also not warm and friendly to strangers in public places, which is one of the things that makes me most nervous when interacting with people. When people are kind and seem happy to help, I'm good. But when they aren't I get all nervous and fumble-prone and drop my passport, birth certificate, and social security card all over the floor in a crowded public place... not that that happened at the French Consulate or anything...
5) What if I get lost?!
6) Classes are going to be hard!
7) What if my flight home is delayed and I'm stuck in an airport for Christmas?
8) What if the Relay For Life event I'm half in charge of falls apart while I'm gone?
So many things to be nervous about!
Keep reading those culture shock books, Cali. You'll be OK.
I also found a Parisian fashion guide at the library, haha. HOORAY FOR THE PUBLIC LIBRARY!
I remember when I went to Europe the summer after my senior year of high school. I was only there for three weeks, but here's what I remember...
ReplyDelete1. Coming home, my baggage was not there to meet me. It was pretty frustrating, but apparently it just got on the wrong flight. So don't worry too much about your luggage. Eventually, you will be reunited!
2. I hardly knew anyone I traveled with. And the ones I did (sort of) know liked to go out and drink on our "free" nights. I didn't always feel like going out, but if they invited me, I usually went. You'll probably never get another chance to be in that situation. And don't worry about making friends...it'll just happen!
4. I met a lot of nice people in France! Very friendly.
5. You will get lost. It is inevitable. But what an adventure it will be!! ...Just be sure to carry a cell phone and/or money for a pay phone. =)
6. Good luck! Have study parties!
Annnnd 7. That would be super stinky.