I've been back in England a week and now Christmas and New Year celebrations are well and truly over and I've got an essay to write so I thought it was about time I wrote a bit of a reflective blog of the first half of my year abroad.
It's strange now I'm home to think I've just come back from spending 3 months in Paris as I don't feel like I've been away! I am enjoying spending time with my family and taking the dog for long walks, as well as gravy based meals and Cadbury's chocolate.
I've realised and learnt a lot of things about myself whilst I've been away. The first is how independent I have become, I always thought that this was an aspect of being away that I would struggle with, and don't get me wrong at times it felt like the loneliest place on earth but I enjoyed being by myself and being able to explore a completely new city.
I also realised how much I enjoy writing, my blog started out as just a way to let people know what I was doing, but ended up being so much more. Before I had never really written for pleasure it had always being an essay written about something I was slightly interested in with specific guidelines, so this made a welcome change and I really enjoy doing it. Writing my blog has given me time to reflect on this experience and when I was feeling down or upset it reminded me what an amazing opportunity this was and prompted me to grab every minute of it.
Now I'm home I do miss Paris and hostel life* but I am loving catching up with people in familiar surroundings.
Next up the second part of my year abroad in Spain and hopefully an equally comically named blog!
*it was so odd at times but in a weird kind of familiar way
