Midpoint Reflection

Despite the title of this post being "Midpoint Reflection," this is really a two-thirds of the way reflection. The semester has been going by so quickly I missed the halfway mark by three weeks. Since there's so much to reflect on, I've decided to write in lists that capture snapshots of my experience. Look forward to a more in-depth final reflection as the semester comes to a close.

Things I've Accomplished

• Successfully traveling by myself

• Visiting the majority of Lyon's sights and attractions

• Seeing half of the regions in France

• Achieving grades above 17/20

• Reading three plays, a handful of poems, and a book and a half in French

Things I'm Still Looking Forward to This Semester

• Traveling to Avignon, Italy, Pau, and Pérouges

• Continuing to work on my conversational fluency in French

• Spending time with my study abroad friends

• Spending time in Pau with my French friends

Reasons I'm Looking Forward to Coming Home

• Iced coffee

• Roxy

• Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches with Mom's strawberry jam

• No longer having French people switch to English upon hearing my accent

• Having my own apartment and kitchen

• Mac n' cheese

• Seeing friends and family

Things I Will Miss About France

• Crème de marron

• Hearing French all the time

• My study abroad friends

• Public transportation

• Stefano and Olga, USAC Lyon's program directors

• The architecture and rich history

• The puzzles in the USAC office

• Cheap groceries and sweet treats

Remaining Goals

• Increase my conversational fluency

• Visit the Musée d'Art Contemporain

• Pass my exams with good grades

• Survive the flight home