DC To Cannes: The Journey

Traveling outside the U.S. for the first time was stressful but exciting. I didn’t know what to expect, and not speaking much French added to my anxiety. But once I arrived in Cannes, I realized most people spoke English, which made me feel more comfortable. I landed in Nice with my family about two weeks before the class began, and having that extra time to explore made a big difference because I had the chance to get oriented and familiarize myself with the area.

We spent a week enjoying incredible food and wandering the streets, often stepping into beautiful old churches like St. Michael the Archangel Church. One of the highlights was a day trip on a boat out on the Mediterranean. Unfortunately, my parents and brother had to return home to Maryland. But my older brother stayed with me while I waited for our class to begin, and although we had to work remotely, we still found time to shop, relax on the beach and hop between cafés, discovering little spots that made us feel like locals.

As someone who’s naturally more introverted, I was nervous about meeting the rest of the class. After saying goodbye to my brother, I headed to the Hotel Amarante. Once I connected with my roommate by the pool and started meeting others, I began to feel more relaxed and excited.

The whole experience felt like a fever dream, surreal and unforgettable. Even weeks later, I’m still unpacking it all. It truly pushed me out of my comfort zone in the best way possible.