Looking at all the photos that I took last fall and winter, it all feels like a dream. All the beautiful scenery and beautiful smiles in the photos were taken when I was an exchange student. Those times showed me a different world and broadened my perspectives. I always had a vague dream of living abroad by myself. It's now been about three months since I returned from Paris, and still I cannot believe I made my dream come true recently. I was an exchange student in Paris during the 2nd semester of 2022. From the end of the summer to the gloomy winter, I made myself step into a new perspective of the world.
Why Paris?
Well, to answer this question, it is quite simple. It's just Paris! It is known as one of the most beautiful cities in the world that is often used as a backdrop for numerous films, commercials, and photos. Also, I am personally interested in painting, architecture, fashion, and desserts. Paris is exactly the city that fulfills my interest. Even more, Paris Dauphine University, which I attended, is known as the top university for business and economics in France. Since I am double majoring in political science and economics, I had no reason to hesitate. So, what was the reality? Was Paris really a 'dream city'? I must say yes. From a Korean's point of view, the city might not be an ideal place to live. Here, we don't see rats in the park, all administrative services are handled in a fast and convenient way, and public transportation is extremely neat and clean. Even though Paris is not technically a good place to live, I just loved the relaxing, romantic vibe of the city. Enjoying the sun with a picnic in the park, sitting on the side of the Seine, and enjoying the masterpieces of impressionist artists. This was daily life in Paris. I've enjoyed a rare experience, living this kind of daily life in Paris.
Things that I've seen and learned
Now, I would like to share some interesting things that I experienced during those days. First, of course, is diversity. There were people with diverse ethnicities and cultural backgrounds. Because of geological and historical reasons, South Korea is not a multiracial country. Therefore, it is difficult to see people with diverse identities. That was why it was very interesting to meet people from all different kinds of cultural backgrounds. In French class, I had a chance to talk with other exchange students from all around the world every week. It was truly enjoyable to communicate by sharing each other's cultural differences. Because this kind of experience was new, it broadened my perspectives. Not only was there diversity in terms of one's identity, but also I felt that people were living at their own pace and speed. For instance, a lot of people were still using old iPhones which have a round home button on them and earphones. This might seem trivial, but it showed how sensitive we are to trends in Korea. We live in a society that is highly influenced by fast trends, and therefore a lot of people, all of a sudden, use the same product. So, if a new version of the iPod is released, then you can see so many people using it just in several days. In Paris, some people were using earphones, some headphones, and others wireless earphones. I believe that our society is in the process of change. I also loved the little shining moments of Parisians. People in Paris read a lot on the metro, on the bench in the park, and of course in cafes, too. Therefore, there are a lot of bookstores in the city. People browse through and pick books from baskets full of secondhand books that sit outside bookstores. I liked seeing those moments. The Bouquinistes which are riverside booksellers that line the Seine are very special booksellers who have antiquarian books and knowledgeable sellers. Moreover, they themselves have become part of the landscape of Paris. One thing I loved the most was the seniors in the city. I loved how each of them has their style and enjoys their daily lives. They made me imagine my life after 50 years. It makes me think about how I want to live and live my life in the long term. Of course, I can't forget the baguettes. It is probably one of the most symbolic things which represents France, but it is not just a symbol. French people eat baguettes like we eat rice. You can often see people on the streets carrying long baguettes. It was so interesting to see. Every night, between 5 and 6 pm, there are long lines in front of the boulangeries. Above all, the baguettes in France taste amazing. Please note that baguettes are a must to try in France.
A whole new challenge
Before my experience of living abroad alone and traveling across countries, I was quite an over-thinker. Whenever I needed to make a choice, it was always hard for me to decide due to all the different kinds of concerns. I won't say that I have perfectly overcome this problem, but there was indeed a huge change in me. I learned that there's no need to be serious all the time and that it never helps solve the problem. I faced big and small situations when I had to make decisions during those several months. By going through them by myself, I gradually gained more trust in myself. I used to doubt myself and hesitate a lot, but now I have more courage to take a risk and believe in myself. This makes me realize how different I am now. I believe that life is a series of choices. All those choices were like training. By thinking and making decisions alone, I have learned by myself how to manage making decisions and taking responsibility. It was the first time for me to be a foreigner. I learned exactly what loneliness feels like. Since I am living with a large family here, I had no chance to feel lonely and the loneliness of a foreigner was something that I could never understand. However, now, I get it. At first, it was very frustrating, but as time went by, being a foreigner helped me to understand myself. The advantage of going out of one's comfort zone is that you get to know and understand yourself better which makes you feel strong. It made me feel comfortable because I know what kind of person I am. As a senior, I started to feel insecure and kept trying to compare myself to other people. But thanks to all the time that I spent getting to know myself in Paris, I try to focus on myself and not rush myself now.
The time that feels like I had a wonderful dream
During my amazing time in Paris, I knew that all my memories would feel like a dream from the moment I stepped into Incheon National Airport. That did actually happen. I still can't believe that I was in Paris and traveled around different cities in different countries. However, it became a dream that I'll never forget. I know that all the experiences of a semester as an exchange student in France will regularly affect me in the future. I would like to thank the past me for having the courage to be an exchange student. Moreover, if you are thinking about whether to take that step too, please do take it! I guarantee that it will give you a much wider perspective than before. Good luck!
