My French
adventure began just over one month ago. I still remember vividly saying
goodbye to my parents in the Detroit airport, as I stepped out to embark on the
journey of a lifetime. I also remember feeling, despite the fact that I was so
excited for France that I was looking forward to the feeling of going home.
Call it a paradox, but in meeting people from across the world who were on
their way home, I knew that I would be able to look forward to the feeling of
stepping through the terminal and seeing my family for the first time in over
one month. To have them hug me, and begin to share stories about everything
that has happened during the time when we were worlds away, that is truly
something that I can truly look forward to. I know that all that stands between
me and that is 14 short hours and three airport security checks.
This last
week has certainly been one of the busiest and charged weeks of my life. Having
two final exams on Wednesday as well as a final presentation for my internship
at the hospital on Friday certainly left me with nothing less than a full
plate, as far as work goes. I finished my internship at Hôpital St. Roch this
past Tuesday. I had the opportunity to work on the ambulance for the final two
days of my internship. Nothing too memorable happened on the ambulance as I
only had one hospital transfer in two days, but I did benefit from getting to
meet some new people and learning more holistically how the urgent medicine
system in France works. Of course, saying goodbye to the other medical students
and doctors was difficult, but just like last time I was sure to bring a cake
to show appreciation for everything that they had taught me. We look a few
pictures as well in order to be sure to always remember «l’équipe médicale».
After all, it is a French thing.
L'équipe médicale au Hôpital St. Roch
Last evening,
at the mountainside house of Madame Laborde, all of the students and their host
families gathered together to celebrate one last time together the program, our
professors who had taught us so much over the summer, our host families who had
graciously welcomed us into their homes, and of course all the new friendships
that we had made that will last a lifetime. Some students played a song or
performed a dance. I really enjoyed listening to Anya and Anastasia belt out
the classical music on the grand piano through the window of Madame Laborde’s
house. Thomas and I harmonized a version of the well know song “Love is an Open
Door,” but of course setting it to the French version, «L’amour est un cadeau
». We had a blast preparing it and nailing (almost) every note. We even got
some laughs from the crowd thrown in there too.
2014 France for the Pre-Med Students
Myself and Professor Colette Winn
I wanted to dedicate this final paragraph to my host family, Angèlique, Gilles, and Axel Brillet. Words cannot describe just how grateful I was able to spend the summer, not only just living in their house and eating their food, but being able to get to know each of them on a real and personal basis. I will be eternally thankful for having the blessing of living with them, going to church with them every week, and making friendships that will last a lifetime. They dropped me off at the airport this morning--all three of them. That's how it was from the beginning, it was like we were a family. I never once felt like an outsider or the "foreign kid," but was rather welcomed with open arms and maybe a bisous here and there. Still though, it was most difficult to say goodbye to Axel. He doesn't know yet, but I brought home with me the little paper boats that he made for me on the first day. It's a good thing that au'revoir means "see ya later!"
Angèlique, Gilles, Axel, and I
Quite honestly, no caption required
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