What I miss about America and love about Paris

Two months down. Six to go. There are times when all I want to do is drive to McDonalds at 1am and get a milkshake and other times when all I want to do is sit by the Seine and look at art.

European culture is incredibly different than America and as a person who truly enjoys new places, new cultures and new people, I never expected to miss home. In France nothing stays open past 10pm and on Sundays, everything is closed. I always hated the convenience culture of America, so I find it ironic that I miss it so much. There also aren't Sour Patch Kids here, which is a big problem.

I also have been a little taken off guard by the way people dress here. I didn't anticipate how truly chic and put together everyone is. I figured coming here after New York would be a walk in the park but the Parisian people have a wardrobe unlike anything I've seen. It mostly consists of fur and Louis Vuitton. I also sorely underestimated how much the french people wear tights and didn't bring nearly enough with me. And sweat pants, forget about it. The children here also dress better than a majority of Americans, which is equally adorable and intimidating.

Despite these differences, Paris has been an incredible place to grow and learn from. The people here are very private, which I think Americans perceive as coldness. It took a few months of going to the same places everyday to warrant a small smile or an inquiry about my day. However, once a french person talks to you, you know it's because they actually like you and not because they fell obligated to.

The thing I love most about Paris is being on my own. I can travel to so many places and see so many things and having only myself to relay on and face new challenges with is an incredibly rewarding experience. Self-discovery is wonderful and luckily I have friends here to help me along the way. There are times when I miss my friends and family a lot and I would be lying if I said there hadn't been a few tears or times when I wish I could be in Ann Arbor.

I tell myself that these times of homesickness are good because they reaffirm the importance of those things in my life. In being away from Ann Arbor, I've been able to truly appreciate the friends I have there because the important ones have all made an effort to connect with me and stay in touch. It makes me feel even more blessed knowing I have such a great group of people to come back to.

I've also been lucky enough to see friends abroad, including my close friends Lane, Aly and Sarah. It was so great getting to play tourist with them and show them all around Paris. Reconnecting with friends on the other side of world is a very wonderful experience.


Paris is a place where you're encouraged to slow down and reflect, something that is difficult to do in America. So despite the lack of Shamrock Shakes, cheap food and basketball, Paris has been a great place for me.