Hello everyone! It’s been about one week since my arrival to Nancy, France. A lot has happened during those seven days and I would love to share it you.
We can’t talk about international trips if we don’t start with a long flight. My departure flight from Canada was on Sunday at 6:20 p.m. After a 7 hour flight from Pearson Airport in Toronto, I arrived at Charles de Gaulle Airport at 7:30 a.m. local time. To reach Nancy, I had to get on the TGV (France’s high-speed railway) station in the airport and take an hour-and-a-half train-ride to Lorraine TGV station, and finally another 30 minute bus ride to the Nancy.
The whole process of getting to Nancy was not as difficult as it seemed. There were a lot of nice people who helped me out when I was confused and my French was comprehensible to them. The people here are really kind and easy to talk to. I actually made my first friend in France during the TGV ride, when she happened to sit next to me.
Moving in on the first day of my arrival had always worried me, even back when I started out during my first year at Carleton. I live in a studio at a dorm very close to ICN Business School. My studio is on the first floor facing the garden so I can always enjoy the little view and getting some bright sunshine into my room. As I was unpacking my luggage in my room, I could not help myself from feeling the loneliness and the anxiety of not knowing anyone who lives in the residence. This is my first time travelling abroad and living in a foreign country on my own, so the anxiety grew even bigger. The jet lag was also another problem that impacted heavily on my depression.
But my second day blew all of my anxiety away and flipped my mood upside-down. The magical word that cures all the negativity is: friends. As I was wandering around the city, I met numerous international students from different backgrounds who live in the same residence as me and close to my room. We all introduced ourselves and shared our experiences from back home. Instantly, I felt a bond between my friends and realized I am not alone. There are others who are just like me who have just arrived to this country and are looking for new connections. When I went back to my room, I didn’t feel scared anymore. I started looking forward for the next day, and the day after. The key here is be open and talk to every single people you meet. Don’t be shy, just be flexible with new events and surprises.
Joining the integration week is another way of meeting new people and getting to know the city better. The school assigns you into small groups that you travel around with so you can interact with many other international students. I was not part of the integration-week, but I am proud of myself for meeting with people and exploring the city on my own way. I spent the remaining day of the first week meeting the staff in the International Office of ICN, going to different stores to buy some essentials, determining cell phone and Internet plans, opening my bank account, and sight-seeing around the city.
Classes start this week and I am looking forward to continuing my education in both business and French. On my next update, I will be sharing my academic experience at ICN Business School, so stayed tuned! Thank you for reading!