My name is Taylor and I am studying abroad in Lyon, France for the semester. As I write this, I am listening to the abhorrently loud construction outside my bedroom window and ignoring the smell of someone’s burnt dinner a few doors down. Although the conditions may seem less than ideal, I am having the absolute time of my life. Two weeks in and this beautiful city have already changed my mindset for the better. It’s hard to be negative when the experience is so transformational.

The first week here was the most exhausting period of my life. Learning to navigate an unfamiliar city with a different culture and a language barrier (all while dealing with jetlag) will do that to a person. The best advice I could offer to someone looking to study abroad is to pack lightly. Lugging my suitcases up and down staircases, and through the metro and bus systems, was a hassle to say the least. After arriving in my room and unpacking a bit, I had to head out in the search for everything I wasn’t able to pack, which included various toiletries and bedding. This was where one of the first major cultural differences appeared. Lyon isn’t full of Walmarts, Targets or various other supercenters with anything a person could need at any given moment. There is much more specialization here. Smaller local businesses sell only specific items, and it was almost like a treasure hunt searching around for the things I needed. Businesses also run on very limited hours that vary by the day. I’m sure the locals have mastered the art of shopping at the right times but unsurprisingly, I am not there yet. It’s one of the many things that takes time to adjust to and learn about, and I am happily making mistakes along the way. That’s the only way to learn in a situation like studying abroad.

One of the coolest parts of studying abroad is the people you meet. After starting orientation with the other exchange students, I began to feel much more excited about this undertaking. It’s comforting to know there are so many others going through the same experience. I would also say the people I’m meeting are providing just as much of a learning opportunity as the classes I will take. I get to hear firsthand what living is like for students in countries all around the world. I not only get to learn about French culture, but a little bit about culture worldwide. It is very eye-opening to compare the problems the United States experiences to how other countries have dealt with the same issues, politically and otherwise. As a student who has always been interested in how other countries operate, this has been one of the best ways for me to access that knowledge. Building international connections can provide so much opportunity in my future.

Although I’ve barely hit the two-week mark, it feels as though I’ve been here for ages. Being thrown headfirst into a new culture with sole reliance on your own knowledge and intuition forces you to adapt rather quickly. Classes haven’t started yet, but I’ve already learned so much and my global perspective has vastly improved. These few weeks have been filled with nerves, fatigue, stress, and most importantly, in-suppressible excitement. I can already tell that this adventure I’ve embarked on is going to be the trip of a lifetime, and I can’t wait to see what comes next.