The last twelve days since my arrival in France have been a whirlwind of emotions, learning curves, surprising interactions, and street crêpes. I have quite nearly mastered the metro and the proper way to mutter “pardon” to a sidewalk-hogging pedestrian, but beyond that, many aspects of the bustling city still feel fresh and exciting. I have begun reflecting on my personal goals and adjusting my expectations now that I am reminded that I am not an endless bundle of energy ready to walk every neighborhood every day. I have started solo explorations, however, familiarizing myself with my area of the 5th and 6th arrondissements in particular. The frankly overwhelming options for restaurants is approachable when working with recommendations from my professor and classmates. My goal of meeting a large variety of people from many backgrounds has been incredibly easy, as I am one of only two Americans in my class of about 16 people. I am slowly working on building upon my extraversion and reigniting friendships: I have plans to meet up with an old elementary school friend in Lyon and some French friends in Nice from my high school exchange program. Additionally, I hope to focus on myself and interests that don’t necessarily fall into my field of study at Pitt. I have an endless list of art and history museums to visit, as well as a café list to spending time reading for pleasure.

My courses thus far have been engaging but have offered plenty of time for me to engage in these other interests, but I expect to fulfill my academic desire to reach fluency by the end of the semester. Conversations with my professor and classmates have reassured my that I am placed at a comfortable yet challenging course level. Achieving bilingual status in my future workplace is my primary goal for the future, as I would love to be able to communicate with a larger community of patients using a more insightful cultural understanding. While in France, I would like to implement frequent vocabulary practice which I can take back with me to the US, as well as including vocabulary that is more applicable to the medical field.

This week, I, along with some friends in Paris, signed up for a tutoring opportunity offered to study abroad students in France. We would execute English immersion lessons for primary school-aged French children, whose families hope for more Anglophone exposure in an increasingly English-speaking world. Teaching young children would simultaneously allow me to work on my French while getting to tutor, which is my favorite extracurricular back in Pittsburgh. I am more used to teaching chemistry to other students, but I spent a year in high school tutoring French so I am confident it will be a valuable experience, especially in a bilingual setting. This opportunity would be beneficial for my academic and professional goals, but it is also a personal indulgence as I love working with small kids from past jobs as a babysitter and camp counselor.

Although I have barely started my studies in Paris, I expect the next four months to fly by. I cannot wait to update on future trips taken and my efforts to blend in as an unassuming Parisian, as well as my personal growth within the city. Next step on the short-term goal list: fully navigate myself somewhere with only one glance down to my phone’s map.