Hello, Giana here. I have officially been home from Europe for a week! If I am being completely honest, the return was a bit rocky; my checked luggage was overweight from all the trinkets I was planning to bring home. Other than that, the journey home was as smooth as possible. First, I had a two-hour flight to Germany, then another from Germany to Oregon. My flight was 10 hours long. I was pretty exhausted, mainly because I'd pulled an all-nighter beforehand so I could sleep the whole flight. Once I made it home, it was around 2 PM in Oregon, and I was so sleepy because of the 9-hour time difference. It would've been around 11 PM if I were still in France.
My biggest tip for getting used to the time change is to go to sleep a little earlier than usual, and within three days, you should be back in your normal groove. Studying abroad was genuinely one of the best experiences and decisions I’ve made in my life. I have grown and changed so much within just these short eight weeks. For example, I used to be so scared of doing things by myself that I felt pretty dependent on others, but now I feel unstoppable and extremely independent. I traveled to foreign countries on my own, navigated public transportation in foreign languages, and completed a foreign internship. Who wouldn’t feel on top of the world after completing these achievements?
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I feel so immersed not only in French culture but in European culture in general. My style has changed from comfort to chic fashion; I have a smaller appetite; I enjoy walking outside a lot more than before; and, lastly, I find so much joy in doing things alone now! If you are on the fence about interning abroad, I strongly recommend you go for it! You’ll learn so much about yourself that you didn’t know before; you’ll learn new cultures and ways of life; and lastly, you'll have an amazing opportunity to make your resume look really great. I am forever grateful for this experience, and I will have so many stories to share with my family and even my future children.
Now that I'm back home, I will be here to support my sister, who is graduating from high school, and my aunt, who is having a baby girl in just a few days! My sister will be attending the University of Oregon next year. I am so proud to say I’ve influenced her, and I cannot wait to see what the future holds for her and pur future flock members!
Giana Eddy signing off.