By Julia Nazzareno, Paris School of Business, France

Living and studying abroad for a year: check.

As I am sipping on my very last British cup of tea, I cannot help but feel nostalgic of my journey here in Manchester. All I can say is that time flies… Almost 9 months have passed since I wrote my first article for the blog, yet it feels like a blink of an eye.

I will be leaving Manchester next week, after my very last exam and I cannot really hide my sadness. There is a part of me that cannot wait to go back home but I will never forget this year that has allowed me to make life-changing decisions. I am going back to France feeling more accomplished than ever and I feel very proud of myself for having been able to live on my own when I had always been so scared of leaving my comfort zone before.

Going abroad is truly a one-in-a-kind experience that teaches you more about yourself than you could have ever imagined. I travelled on my own to Edinburgh and London and met incredible people that I will never forget, dealt with issues on my own and became more responsible. I woke up every single day feeling extremely privileged for this opportunity and I finally feel like I have found myself along the process.

Although I did not take many risks with my destination choice, I strongly believe that any trip has something to offer. This year allowed me to know what master’s degree I will pursue next fall and made me fear challenges a lot less. But most importantly, it taught me that we should live up to every moment as if it were the last because time flies and it is always too late when we realise it.

I therefore intend on making the most out of any upcoming opportunities now and I hope that this summer can help you make great decisions in your life as well or simply give you a well-deserved rest after all of these assignments and deadlines… Thank you if you have been reading me all along and I cannot wait to look back at these articles in a few years time and being able to say: I made it.  

Au revoir et à bientôt !

“This is not a goodbye, my darling, this is a thank you.” – Nicholas Sparks