Disclaimer
I spent lot’s of time writing, editing, rewriting this one. In my last draft I decided to keep it as short as possible, in order for people to actually read it. I often complain about stuff, here, there, everywhere, that’s my thing. But this last year was a good year. Ups, downs, moments, people, experiences. Thank god things turned out they way they did and I took the decision to come. About that, there’s only one person reponsible, and that’s K. In the end everything was my decision, but leaving Athens needed a good push, and she gave it.
Concerning stuff I may say about the country, or the people (France), have in mind that it’s impossible for me to be 100% objective. I form opinions through personal experiences and by talking the more I can with people. I like to cross-and-double-check, but maybe at times I’m just wrong. It happens. I’m open for discussion, so feel free to contact me in case something rings a bell.
In the beginning…
It will be 365 days in Aix tonight around 22:30. I remember every single detail about the decision, the departure, the arrival…
The first semester was average for several reasons:
- I arrived too late.
- I spent too much time to find the apartment,
- while living somewhere far away from the city center.
- The Masters took much of my time and power for no practical reason at all.
- Me still being in recovery mode from my personal past.
- I needed some time in order to adapt to things here (social life, daily habits, language)
- the local people are not so easy-going if at all
Considering this is a students city, the students themselves don’t try so much to meet new people further from their closest circle of friends. Classic example, my building: Until today, I know practically nobody here. Luckily, things were soon about to change.
Then!
Around January I met several (many) foreign students, and happily, they were all easy-going and kind, ready to meet people, connect, and have fun. My accomodation, language, or other issues were solved, so I was happy. My good streak of fun was briefly interrupted when my poor judgement, and maybe unconscious effort to recover emotionally, brought me into familiar territories I wanted to avoid since day 1. Luckily, that didn’t last long.
Recently
And as I was about to pack my stuff and head far away where the sun shines briefly and the umbrella is a natural extension of the arm all-year-long, after a nice (but stressful at times) summer, hell broke loose: The beginning of the Academic year, brought a bunch of new super people in town, foreigners or not. This gave birth to questions about leaving, but you’ll learn all about this to the next blog spot, not far from today, I hope.
France
I was asked around 5.345 times if I like France or not. This is such a hard question to ask with a yes or no, but YES!
This Last period
Since May that my job research officially started, it seemed it wasn’t going to be an easy ride. Being one of the few students with the intention to work in a country other than France, and having no contacts (at that moment), wasn’t so promising as a situation.
The pressure became bigger as time went by, and my new job became finding a job. During the days, I was editing CV’s, browsing ad’s , writing motivation letters, updating my personal website, calling people in something like 5 or 6 different countries. People were (and still are) pushing me to take decisions they felt were the best. But, as many of you know, If I’d do what people suggest me to do, I wouldn’t be here at the moment. (and we don’t want that, do we?)
Add to that the fact that most of the people I used to hang out here left in July.
Happily, things finally turned out to be a whole lot better than I initially thought they would be!
Since at the moment I’m writing this I don’t have a signed deal, I can’t give you details on what and how, but I am pretty close to find something, and I think I will have to choose between two offers the least. It was worth the wait. And again, I was right to “do my thing”.
Thoughts, Feelings, Conclusions
to be continued…
