Hello again, Belgium. I always find myself coming back here. This time, my high school friend came over to Europe to visit me and we went to Ghent together. Freakin’ gorgeous is an understatement. It was very overcast the entire stay, which just made it seem more like a northern European city. At every turn, there was another beautiful church or castle within the city-center. And, of course, our airbnb was in the red light-district so we got to see women advertising their ‘business’ in the windows (I promise I had no idea before I book it). We drank a lot of beer, and shopped all day long.

During lunch, my friend mentioned that I’ve changed since being in Europe. And i think I agree. It is not a bad thing, I personally think it is great. I have become more outspoken, decisive, straight-forward, and intentional. My personal style have definitely improved. High-waisted pants are a must and the bigger the scarf, the better.  I think I like myself more now than I was back in Atlanta. I am also happy that myself can embrace my changes even if it’s not exactly the same as it used to be. I know this friendship is for the long run. It has been a breath of fresh air having a familiar face here with me.

ALSO, while I am here, i have a brag for a minute. I finally did my presentation for the class Sociologie Politique ALL IN FRENCH AND PASSED. I may have messed up in another class but I definitely pulled it together in this one. I am still not a huge fan of school and get super frustrated with it but these little accomplishments have to mean something. Who knows, maybe I will learn a thing or two this semester.

Anyways, keep traveling, keep exploring, keep fucking up and keep trying again. The first semester is almost over and somehow I am still alive…this must be a sign….

 

 

 

…Paris is amazing. It’s very stereotypical for me to gush over this city but honestly who can blame me? A year ago, I went on a school trip (even though I graduated already 🧐) to France and Spain. Paris was the first city I’ve ever been to in Europe, and for that, it will always hold a place in my heart. Even though there were restrictions and I got some of us in trouble by sneaking off to the Moulin Rouge (oops), I still got to explore and see what this city is about. It was it first time i had a full blown conversation in french with a native and i knew that I must come back again soon.

Fast forward to September 2018, I went again. Let’s just say that this time there were no restrictions and someone in my group I traveled with had a birthday on that day. Obviously, we must celebrate.

Sandwiches and wine in a park which we got kicked out of and lots of singing and jokes on the metro.

Paris, thanks for being there summer of 2017. You really started something.. I’ll see you again soon

This has been one of the most used phrases besides “ça marche” that I have used the past few months. Let’s get this straight, french is hard. I struggle everyday trying to learn and to be honest it’s not coming that easy to me anymore. If you knew me in high school, you would know that I was cocky as hell in french class and thought I ruled the world. I got the grades and I was confident. Fast forward, I’m no longer learning as fast as I used to. This is probably the most frustrating thing in the world since this is literally what I am studying at university.

My friends and family back home are giving me advice and letting me know that I will get it eventually. The best advice I got was “accept that you suck and move on. This is where you are and that’s ok. Keep learning and eventually you will suck less”. Abrupt, I know, but this person knew I needed a little kick in the ass.

I went to an event called Franglish tonight where you speak 7 minutes in English and 7 minutes in french with natives in a “speed dating” style. Best decision ever. I spoke so much french and I was understood! In celebration to that, I treated myself to a burger and a Christmas beer from les 3 Brassuers.

When you get a midnight text from your roommate if you want to go on a mini road trip to the beach, you have to say yes!

Honestly, I’ve always hated the beach. I know, unpopular opinion, but it’s true. What’s the point? You get in, you get out, you get sand everywhere and I mean EVERYWHERE..it’s just not my jam. But I have to say, i was so relaxed and just all around happy this day. We did everything I hate about being at the beach, and that was just laying there for hours….i loved every minute of it. I slept, I listened to music, I got a beer (it’s Belgium remember?), and watched the sunset.

Damn, I lucked out with these roommates of mine.

My first trip since living in France.. of course it had to be Brussels. It cost me €5 on the Ouibus and was only an 1h ½ away. Let’s talk about beer, let’s talk about waffles, let’s talk about beer again, and more beer??

Obviously we went on a brewery tour and drank wayyy too much but hey, it’s Brussels remember?

We decided on making no plans on this trip. Everything was going to be “go with the flow” and I’m so glad we did just that. We found ourselves at this gorgeous park at sunset and ran into a pavilion that had a band playing. The best music and the best food and you guessed it.. the best beer ever! We danced the night away and met another group of people that invited us to their house party.

We ended up finding a corner in the park, beer in hand, blasting music on the stereo and giving the entire town a personal concert. I sang my heart out to Jason Derulo until both of our phones died and we had to try to remember how to get back to our hostel. It took FOREVER but eventually we found it and we crashed.

I love this life. I love traveling. I love speaking french when it’s actually going well. Can we forget about school and responsibilities? Can this please be my job forever??

I LOVE LILLE AND I NEVER WANT TO LEAVE. Honestly, if that was the only thing I wrote on this post, it would be accurate enough. My first few days in Lille was during the Braderie. It’s this huge festival where everyone sells their stuff on the street like a market and there’s also music and drinks and lots and lots of dancing. Even to this day, two months after I have arrived in this amazing city, I can truthfully say I have danced every single day.

Let’s also have a shoutout to my roommates. Ya girl definitely lucked out on this one.. they are fantastic. There are 7 of us in this house (yes, it gets crowded in the kitchen often) and I love it.

Can we talk about the OFII process and getting everything set up in France? Why is it difficult? Finally everything is sorted and I’m officially legal in France (woohoo) but man, that was a struggle.

Also, I guess I have to talk about my school since it’s the reason I was able to come here in the first place. Sciences Po is a gorgeous school….a little hard for me…but I’m handling it…hopefully. French hasn’t been my friend lately and it’s been a big disappointment to not be as fluent as my peers but ya know what… practice makes perfect. Actually, I just went to this “language speed dating” thing, suggested by my church, where you speak 7 minutes in English and 7 minutes in french with natives. A win win situation for everyone!

I’m about to leave home for a year and who decides to have a 20 hour layover in Istanbul….me of course. Let’s just say I was so excited until about a week before my flight. I freaked myself tf out. How will I find my hostel? Are hostels safe? How will I communicate? How will I learn Turkish? Why is it so difficult? Do I look too American? What, when, how, who, etc..

The plane lands and I hop on the metro to head into Taksim Square Istanbul. BEAUTIFUL. That’s all I can think about when I remember that city. Lights everywhere, music everywhere, and let’s not forget the beautiful people.. I mean really.

I walk to my hostel and by the way, google maps decided to take me through back roads and in peoples back yards to get to this place, but I made it! I stayed at the Neverland Hostel. It has a cute vibe with an adorable bar/café area. Warning, lighting and air conditioning does not exist here. Therefore I slept with the window open all night.

I woke up the next morning extra early so I can explore some more before heading to the airport. I met this guy selling bread on the steet who spoke English. He gave me all these suggestions on where to go for a last minute sight seeing session. Also got some free simit 😉

I got on the plane and started heading towards Paris. God, I remember tearing up on the plane, so excited to have the feeling of a new city all over again. Lille… here I come…

This is a very 2am, last minute decision but hey.. I’m here! My name is Sam and I am going on the biggest adventures of my life so far. I’m 19 years old I decided to study abroad for a year in Lille, France at Sciences Po Lille. Ever since my first French class in the 10th grade, this was all I could talk about. France this, France that, traveling here, traveling there,… you get the point. Fast forward to now, it’s almost 3 am and I’m in my cute little house in Lille and I’m living my best life. I wanted to make a blog so I can talk about my experiences, good and bad, and be able to share them with my friends and family. I also think it will be super cool to look back at this later in life.

The next few posts will be of past trips and adventures but also about my everyday life here. For example, I have to get my wisdom teeth out! Fun! Who would have thought that the international insurance I was all butt hurt about would actually come in handy!! 😐

So, if you made it all the way down here, thanks for sticking around. Let’s see how this goes!