Reflecting on my time in Nantes a year ago, the good memories come flooding back. My exchange was the most memorable part of my high school experience and I am so thankful for the opportunity I had.
The potential for learning on a trip of that kind is immeasurable. I learned so much during my time: my language improved, I became more independent, and I realized how much can be gained by taking risks. I learned that the first time one tries frog legs should never be at a buffet in a French Chinese Restaurant, that a tube of toothpaste (used assez liberally) lasts exactly two months, and that peanunt butter is a gift to be appreciated forever.
I have carried all this with me.
But, looking back, what surprised me more than anything during my time in Nantes was what I had the power to teach. I shared my stories, experience, and culture with the people I met, just as they shared their's with me. I taught the art of shuffling a deck of cards, introduced Capucine and Constance to Death Cab for Cutie, and most importantly passed on my French (?) Braiding skills. I will never forget my last days in Nantes, spent sitting on the bathroom floor with my sisters, doing each others hair and listening to music for hours on end.
...des bons souvenirs...
A true cultural exchange.
No comments:
Post a Comment