Now that my time in Strasbourg has come to an end, I want to reflect on my time here and the lessons learned. My time abroad has been everything I expected and more. The friends I have made, the places I’ve seen, and the independence gained have been unmatched. I have met the most genuine and sweetest people that I have been able to connect with, despite our different backgrounds.
I have also been so blessed to have visited 10 countries and over 25 cities. Through my budget traveling, I have grown accustomed to navigating every form of public transport, from trams, trains, planes, ferries, buses, and funiculars. Before coming abroad, navigating public transportation was not my strong suit, but now I have full confidence in myself, tackling a new country on my own.
Additionally, it has been a learning experience navigating language barriers in each country. I feel like I have been able to pick up through context clues and the kindness of strangers. Although I am not as fluent in French as I had hoped to be, my beginner’s French class was a rewarding experience, teaching me the basics that I will take with me forever.
Leaving Strasbourg and saying goodbye to friends I will likely never see again was the most bittersweet experience. Living in a new country out of my comfort zone in my 20’s is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that I will remember and treasure forever. I will be forever grateful that I had the opportunity to experience so much within a semester of my life. I will be taking away these memories with me forever.
