Time for Change

         It was sometime during the month of May I was talking to one of my good friends Sharrell Barnes and she randomly mentioned “hey, I’m 70% percent sure I’m going to be in Europe next year?” Honestly, I was shocked and I didn’t believe it but that night I laid in my bed and realized that she said 70% and not 50%, so the chance was high. So I did my research, I realized that she was going on a WVU faculty led program to Strasbourg, France and that everything could potentially work out. The only thing she said she had to check on was finances. We were both gifted In-State and Out of State WVU academic scholarship recipients, so getting these scholarships to apply for the tuition costs of University of Strasbourg could be difficult.
          Sharrell and I were pretty close. We both had were mentors and little sisters to Loretta Cain. We asked her for advice. She was a WVU medical school student who was applying for jobs because May 2011 was her graduation month. We were all excited for her to start her new journey elsewhere but secretly, I was beyond scared because my backbone would not be in arms reach distance anymore. I guess you could say, her season  at WVU was coming to an end. During those few days of waiting to see if Sharrell would completely commit to this program, Loretta accepted a job in Chicago, Illinois on a Wednesday afternoon. I think that following Thursday Sharrell heard the news from all of the administrative offices that everything would be fine. Apparently, studying abroad in France was going to be just like going to school in West Virginia, financially at least. I didn’t know how to take the news but I was excited that they both were going to accomplish their goals. A few days later, my boyfriend of almost two years dumped me and I went through a phase of not wanting to be alone. My small circle of friends was leaving the continent and my ex, just my life. I guess some could say that I acted out of fear but for some reason something told me to try and join Sharrell on the trip. I always wanted to study abroad but because of my scholarships they wouldn’t transfer to other study abroad programs. Of course the summer of 2011 was very stressful but I knew August 30th, my departure date for France, was my finish line and I was not going to give up.
          Nevertheless, I do not regret my decision nor am I ashamed of my reason for going on the trip in the first place. I believe it was planned for me. From the morning I woke up in my room at the Chateau I felt better. Honestly, the first night here I wanted to go back home because I felt so alone. I really considered going back but I couldn’t even find my charger to my phone so I could call home. Of course Sharrell’s room was right down the hall but I couldn’t fathom the fact that I was in another country that didn’t speak the same language as me. During the summer I had convinced myself that coming to a foreign country not knowing the language was brilliant but during that first night my mind changed and I thought it was probably the most unintelligent idea I had. Although I have only been in France for little over a week I am happy to say that I love being here. I still only know a few French words but it makes it all the fun. I love the people I met on the trip and I love all the places we have seen so far. Until now had always been a science and math type of girl but learning so much about the Chateau de Portales, my home for 4 months, Strasbourg being the capital of Europe, and the French culture, has really interested me. I’m still a little weary when it comes to eating and shopping everyday but it is alright. Life is about taking chances and I’m so glad that I took this chance! I’m the first in my family, first in my Academic Star 2011 WVU group, and probably the first out of all of my friends. Of course, I’ll probably run into new problems but I’ll find new solutions.