Goodbye France

The last day on the farm: I have a lot of mixed emotions.

1. I got my evaluation from my host mom and she said I was “tres bien” but told me I didn’t seem interested in the wine which upset me and made me mad because the language barrier was the problem. I was very curious and eager to learn, they just never tried to teach me or go out of their way to help me understand French any better. Most of the time I felt like they didn’t care about me being there at all.
2. Their son moved in Monday night and I think it’s the happiest I’ve been so far. He barely speaks English but tried so hard with me and made a point to get to know me, invite me places, and work with me instead of constantly leaving me alone. This made me realize that the family in general could have tried so much harder to make me enjoy my experience more, but they really didn’t. Richa( a friend) was very surprised when I told her I barely do anything all day except read books and that they constantly leave me home alone. They also never asked if I needed anything from the store when they went and never let me go when they did go.
3. I didn’t learn much from this internship, but it also wasn’t wine season and the language barrier prevented this as well.
4. Overall I learned so much more about the culture, Jehovah witnesses, the life of a French farmer, and its an experience I am grateful for but I am ready to leave.
5. Last night 3 muslims tried beheading the military commander in a town next to my friends town. France is starting to get scary and I think its time for me to leave.
6. But I wish I could stay in Toulouse with my friends.I fell in love with the city and the people I met. I would do anything to have more time. I learned so much during the school portion and overall this experience was amazing and eye-opening. I learned and lived in the French culture and was submerged into it in a way that it truly became my life and I’ll miss it so much. I learned so much about wine and also all the aspects that go into producing wine, especially on a small organic farm. I can’t wait to use this knowledge and learn more. I also can’t wait to be back in France and show people I love the city that became my home and the country that gave me everything I could every ask for in a summer of adventure, education, and finding myself. I learned more about myself than I ever knew. I realized how capable I am and how to be myself on my own without the help of others.

 

I would like to thank everyone that has helped given me such an amazing experience. Thank you to Megan and the study abroad office, to my family, to the friends I met and all of the great people who taught me so much while I studied in France. This experience has given me more than just knowledge and I would recommend anyone and everyone to study abroad.