Still, it's an eerie feeling leaving the city. I suppose it feels like this anytime one leaves a place where you've lived for a while. I like Dijon. It has the history and atmosphere of historic France, without the clutter and commercialism of the larger tourist hubs like Paris. It's a town in which I could easily see myself living in the future, though realistically this is highly unlikely. It's quiet, and I will miss the old architecture and serpentine, cobblestone roads.
I will miss the people, as well. I've meet some interesting folks, both in the program and outside of it. I think that people here appreciate friendly company a great deal. No one's in a hurry to keep appointments. Sure, there are problems with this, but I think that the American hustle and bustle could learn a great deal from the French way of taking their time. Then of course, there's the international students from the program that I've met. Those who have different perspectives from me and different ways of presenting themselves. All of this I will miss.
At the same time, it will be good to go back. I miss my friends and family. Furthermore, I feel that I've improved the best I can in this sort of context. There's only so far you can go living in a residence with other students who speak English. I am not fluent, but I'm less bothered by this inevitability than when I came. If I return, it will have to be in a context of true immersion.
Thus, the academic part of my journey comes to a close. It was far from perfect, and frankly I'm glad that I'm not taking classes here for a full year. I would probably bore my eyes out with a pen from the boredom, but I've learned a lot, and I know it will serve me well as I continue my studies.
What happens from here? Travel and frivolity! I depart the residence tomorrow to wander about Europe for eleven days. I hope it will be as enlightening as the academic part of my journey.
See you back in the States, where I will render my final thoughts on my entire journey.
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