Two months seems like an eternity in any other case. But the two months I’ve spent in Paris are perhaps the fastest two months in my entire life. I’ve experienced and learned an enormous amount of things in a small period of time. I still remember my very first day when I landed at the…

Success in the US is associated with the hustle and grind. People work hard and often push their physical limits to get things done and this is a source of pride. High salaries, quick promotions, and prestigious companies are what people chase. Moreover, people are quite willing to take risks when it comes to their…

The longer the stay in a foreign country, the more important it becomes to try to act how a local would. Needless to say, it is not possible to completely blend in; even after living in France for years, some people still have habits or mindsets from their home country. But people appreciate seeing someone…

Never forget to say “Bonjour” at the beginning of any interaction and a “Merci, au revoir” at the end. There are many stereotypes that French people are unkind, specifically Parisians. This is simply a result of different styles of communication across different cultures. One simple aspect that is overlooked so much but makes a massive…

Whenever I speak of Paris, people always assume I am on vacation mode. “Wow, Paris! Enjoy your holiday.” Every time someone says something along those lines, I can already tell they are imagining me posing in front of the Eiffel Tower with a giant croissant in my hand, or painting in front of the Seine…

Throughout my internship, I have become more detail-oriented and organized compared to what I was before. Before my internship, I have largely worked with code and software. However, my folders in my computer and notes were extremely disorganized. Being in a new environment with limited time and research to do on many unfamiliar biological and…

One aspect of French lifestyle I adore is the long lunch breaks. Not only does it help to eat slowly and enjoy food, helping digestion, it’s a great opportunity to socialize with colleagues and build new connections. One afternoon, I was contemplating what to get for lunch when my maître-de-stage or supervisor showed me a…

Two months sounds like a long time, but I can tell that time is flying by. It feels like just yesterday, I landed in Paris, took a nap at my homestay, then went on a walk exploring the city for the very first time. Right now, looking at the calendar and seeing that I have…

My first week in Paris is over. In a short frame of time, I have so many experiences and so much new information that has already changed how I look at the world and myself. The day I landed at the CDG airport, the 4 hours of sleep I had on the plane did not…