Kelly Powers, Business Management, Level 3
ESCE International Business School, France
Paris.
A world of unparalleled experiences.
Paris has been my own life as a movie, with a character list being my friends and the city as our playground.
The friends, the adventures, and all the above happened so fast. From the beginning of the semester, I felt as if life was so scary and to move to a country full time that does not speak English as the first language is terrifying. I didn’t know where to begin.
I moved to Paris and went on exchange at ESCE International Business School Paris. As I began to realise, people, no matter where you are in the world, are helpful. Pharmacies, banks, and stores all gave me the patience and time of day to allow me to set up my life here. It took confidence and, in the end, and it all worked out. I thought, “oh my gosh Paris, the city of love” was something so incredible and miraculous yet was also prepared for the big city dangers. Poverty, petty crime, and serious protests. Paris has it all. I feel like my experience, appreciation for Parisienne life and baked goods has increased tenfold. I mean, I truly have lived a lifetime of experience over here and will not be returning home the same person. Already moving from the United States to Scotland was a whole other box of frogs, Paris, was something else. The people I have met here made all the difference. My friends ranged from all nationalities and backgrounds. I learned about the life of the French, German, Canadian, Polish, Russian, Spanish, , and many more. We had created a group which anyone with an idea would message something like, “let’s go to the Louvre!” Next thing you know ten of us are watching the sun set dancing at the Pyramids of the world renowned Louvre Museum. Before you knew it, we were at the House of Monet, exploring the French Rivera, the canals of Amsterdam, and much more.
People who have accepted this experience were up for the adventure and it was clear, we all wanted as much life outside of our norm as possible. Now discussing with my friends who have gone back home, they feel as if Paris is their home. Home is no longer the same. Once you have built a home in another place, your heart is in multiple places. It like falling in love and knowing you could break up, but it is all worth the experience. Overall, the experience has been well worth the set-up, 360 change of normal and cultural adjustments. I highly recommend any one in need of change or a spice of life to not think twice and take the leap. It’s fun, it’s scary and you will look back at these six months as some of the greatest memories in your most recent life. Carpe Diem.
