It’s now been a month since I returned from France. I have spent the same amount of my summer at home as I did in Lyon – a fact that boggles my mind because this past month has crept by where my month in France flew. After settling in to my life in the US again, reflecting on my study abroad experience feels almost like trying to remember a dream.…

The program has now officially ended, though my time in France is not quite over. It’s hard to believe how quickly the month has passed, yet how full of new experiences and connections it is. Though leaving the US was difficult, I was filled with excitement and anticipation and comforted by the thought that I would soon be returning to my family and friends. My eminent departure from Lyon lacks…

After two short but wonderful weeks I am already at the mid-way point of my program. I can’t believe how fast time is passing and I constantly push the countdown to my departure from my mind. Despite the shortness of my time in Lyon, the time I’ve spent here makes it easy to call it home. I love my host family. They have made me feel very welcome and even…

Lyon is more wonderful and welcoming than I ever expected. It has the excitement of a big city, the quaintness of a small town, and lacks the touristy kitsch found in Paris. It’s lovely and genuine and I can already tell a month will not be enough. After meeting my host mom, we walked back to their apartment along the Saône river. Lining the banks were beautiful old buildings painted…

Leading up to my study abroad experience, I have not had enough time to truly relish in excitement. In the week approaching my departure, I had three final exams, two lab practicals, one final paper, one final presentation, I moved out of the house I was renting on south campus, attended my step-sister’s graduation, and went to a concert with my mom. With so much going on, studying abroad has…