So, not having expectations, it takes you far and wide.
Down to the ground with broken bits of teeth lying next to you, up to the roof of the opera house where there lies a helipad and a fantastic view…

This semester has been anything and everything that could be fantastic and each thing that has happened has been truly extraordinary. My eyes have been opened, to the world, to the opportunity of travel, to people  – to the lively spirit that everyone has, that has become so pronounced on this part of my voyage.

Montpellier has been a good place to be, a small town, perfect for some anglophones to wreak havoc and learn what it is to live in France. To learn to live, in a place where wifi is not a guarantee, re-useable, BPA-free, water bottles are not easy to come by, and banks, well all administrative organisations minus the post office, seem overly complex.
Wine, bread and cheese, everywhere. It is true what they say… France smells. But France is also pretty nifty. Montpellier, you are like French men, small, but also quite charming.

But more then anything else, the people. The people of Montpellier, of Europe, the Australians who I got to share my adventure with and the amazing Americans who decided to plonk themselves here too – you’re all pretty great! In fact, you’re all bloody fantastic, and I’m honoured to have crossed paths.

And so the sun sets on Montpellier for moi, after discovering an infatuation with Barcelona, eating moose and walking (and falling) on ice in Sweden, some incredible opportunities in Melbourne have opened up for me; and I realise that I need to focus, and finish what I started – my degree. With eyes open I can now discover the world, but I’m better off doing that with some sort of income at the same time.

I’ll be back, and I’m not just saying that, not at all.

 

The week of holidays has probably been the best week in Montpellier so far.

I was told by a past exchange student that I should most certainly organise a trip for the break because it can be hard to be there in such a different situation, and with the majority of exchange students using this opportunity to do further travel in Europe it might be a lonely time.

Unfortunately, I had a small accident the week before, but fortunately had not booked anything for the break. After getting all fixed up on Monday, I spent the week with, literally, a renewed smile. It was unfortunate, it was painful and it was so hard to be away from home, to be unsure of how to go about seeking assistance and to not have my devoted family at my beck and call. It happened. So, I hid out in my room for a week, I sooked, I (accidentally) took a double dose of painkillers, and I let my face heal.

I don’t want to say I’m glad that it happened, but I’m happy that from this experience I now have a new energy, a desire to enjoy the moment, to make the most of the last 2 months in Montpellier and to really grab life balls. I have a new reason to smile.