It is officially December meaning there are only three weeks left until I am home. It is bittersweet as I am extremely excited to be back with my family and friends for my favorite time of year, but I will miss Paris. It has definitely been tough adjusting to Parisian life, but looking back I have learned so much. I think maybe I can make it in a city after all. I know I really got caught up for a while in the daily grind. I felt like I had a job of sorts with my internship. Working on Fridays was particularly tough with many of my friends traveling every weekend. But, I do not regret my internship by any means. I think I've gained a lot of confidence and assertiveness as a teacher. Many of the kids do seem to really like me and both teachers I've worked with have given me a lot of positive feedback. I have also been a little more understanding of the kids situation in these last weeks. Middle school is a very hard time for anyone and they are very stressed.That doesn't excuse their disrespectful behavior but I do understand not wanting to do work in a language that isn't your own on Friday at 4:00 pm. The one thing I wish is for the kids to realize how important education is. I know I didn't realize it really until college. But I know that because I worked so hard in school, I was able to even come to Paris. I would not have had many of the opportunities I have had volunteering and working in schools had I not realized the importance of school. I also realize how much respect I have for teachers. No matter what age, teaching is really challenging. But I have also seen how rewarding it can be. I know the teachers I work with really want their kids to succeed and I hope my future students and colleagues will see that in me. I see in both French and American schools how easy it is to get burnt out but I think this internship has given me the perseverance to keep at it even when it's incredibly difficult.
Aside from my internship, I have re-realized my love for Paris. La vie est dur (life is hard) but I have really seen the beauty of the city. Last weekend, going to the top of the Eiffel tower with my friend Ashley was absolutely amazing. I really felt on top of the world and could see the whole city and all the beautiful lights. It was so amazing! Last night, I went to see a production of West Side Story at Theatre Chatelet. It was a fantastic production with a simple set, beautiful costumes and amazing performers, most of whom were Americans who went to top theatre schools like NYU Tisch and UMich. It was so incredible to be able to see my favorite show in Paris! Even though people may not have understood every word of the show, they were clearly moved by the music. I heard several people humming the songs at intermission and after the show. Today, I went to Roland Gerros, the site of the French Open. It was incredible to be in the place where so many famous tennis stars have won. I saw the racket Agassi won with in 1999 and saw Nadal's locker! It was awesome and don't worry, I did pick up some gifts for my immediate family as we know how much they love tennis (especially my mom).
I am so grateful for this experience because I feel I have done and seen so much! I do not know if I will ever come back to live here but I can say I've lived in Paris! I have a decent amount of work left for finals for my classes but I will try to enjoy continuing to experience la vie a Paris for these last few weeks!
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