I’m Home: What I Learned in Nantes

And study abroad is finally over. After about a week and a half of traveling after the end of my program (which was a whole other adventure in itself), I am finally back home. Luckily, all of my travel back home went smoothly, and I was greeted by my family, my friends, and, of course, my dog. After some much-needed time to recover from the long flight and the jet lag, I have been able to reflect upon my experience in Nantes. So much has happened these past four months, so it’s hard to sum everything up, but here’s a sampling of just a few of the things I’ve learned this semester (some more serious than others).

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The French also love the movie Ratatouille.

However many types of cheese you think there are, there will always be more.

I like tomatoes more than I thought.

I much prefer American mealtimes.

That being said, meals are a great time to share together.

I love public transit.

Walking everywhere is my dream.

The Nantes Ikea is worth a visit.

A pain au chocolat is the ultimate comfort food.

Crepes are great but I love a galette.

The art museum is a great way to spend an afternoon.

Trying new things is good.

Uncomfortable can be good.

I can be independent.

I will always remember Nantes.

…Oh and I learned some French too.

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So that’s it. The final send-off. Overall, this has been an amazing and unforgettable experience. I’m so glad that I took the leap to decide to study abroad. I might have been nervous before leaving, but all my nerves went away once I embraced all the new experiences. I’ve included some pictures that I hope show off my semester. Au revoir!