I can’t remember the last time I had a picnic with friends at a park. Perhaps it was when I was in elementary school, due to an occasional field trip. Being born and raised in the city of Los Angeles, it was more common for my friends and I to grab a bite at a food court or at a shopping center somewhere. We would often go to the closest Westfield mall or the movie theaters in City walk.
Bordeaux unveiled how common picnics are in the French culture amongst friends and family. On only my second week here I had the occasion to embrace the French culture and enjoy a picnic with friends at a public Jardin on a beautiful Sunday afternoon. It was an unexpected last-minute decision once we noticed the weather was stupendous, we couldn’t let the day go to waste. We went to a local grocery store and bought some fresh baguettes, different types of cheeses and meats, a salad, fruits, chips and sweets. I had the opportunity to try different types of cheeses that day, I learned my all-time favorite is Brie. We sat down and noticed all the other friends and families enjoying of their picnics, the sun and the nature. For a moment the three of us sat on the grass observing our surroundings in silence. Absorbing nature’s beauty, it was truly a blissful moment. We talked about how fortunate we each were for deciding to study abroad in such a beautiful city. The city of Bordeaux reminded me to be observant and enjoy nature’s beauty. It was easy to completely disconnect from my phone during my strolls through the city. Looking back now I didn’t think that would be the first and last picnic I would have during my study abroad program.



Things change quite rapidly and although we can’t always be in control of everything in our lives, I’ve learned to truly cherish every moment because we really don’t know when it could be the last. As cliché as that sounds but I’m glad I savored all of those wonderful different types of cheese. It’s the small things I know I’ll miss… such as having a picnic in a Jardin, walking through familiar streets, going to their local gym, riding the tram to and from the university Monday through Thursday and interreacting with French people. As I sit here quarantined in my home in California I reminisce on all the beautiful moments I had in Bordeaux. I met so many other UCEAP students studying abroad and made many new friends. Bonded with my homestay parents. I learned so much about Bordeaux, the French culture and how much I enjoyed living in another country. I gained skills and made connections in the short time I had, only because the program is over it doesn’t mean my learning French is at an end too. Instead this experience motivated me to take French courses at my home university once things get better.

I still have hopes I will return someday and when I do I plan to speak only French during my time there. I’m grateful for all the moments I had in Bordeaux and it will always have a special place in my heart.