Words and phrases like overwhelming, in awe, stunned, astounding etc. are not even close to explaining the repertoire of emotion I have been experiencing since February 2014. No the reason is not Valentines day but the exchange semester opportunity I got at Ecole centrale de Nantes in Nantes, France all the way from IIT Guwahati, Assam, India and this has been truly and in all gravity of the word: Special!
Studying and Travelling in a country like France for 6 months helps you definitely in one way: Developing patience! I have never seen any country so arrogant about its own language to this extent! Luckily I was with students and the younger generation is definitely more open and cosmopolitan especially in an academic setting which makes things better. However travelling to different cities within France made me realize how reluctant people are to embrace other languages. Nantes is a very a different and special city. Everyone seems to be super cool here however Paris gives such a bad impression of the whole country in general being the capital. Sometimes people just don't listen to you if you speak in English. The more bizarre part is when they understand the english language and still don't respond. It is definitely difficult to stay in this country as a foreigner. However one of the silver linings of this dark cloud was that I have learnt a new language and my french has improved to a great extent now. It is a super difficult language but it is beautiful. However my preference is Italian. Probably because of my Italian friends but I still love the way Italians speak. It is the coolest thing ever! I try Italian accent while speaking in english by adding A or O at the end of all my words. Its super funny!!
A lot of students nowadays get the opportunity to intern or study at more than one college in probably more than one country however the special thing about an exchange program is in fact it’s short period. The very fact that one can live in a new place with new people and get an opportunity to start afresh without worrying about the outcomes (because of the short period of time) was very exciting. I am glad I was able to use this opportunity in the best way I could. One of the best part about this nouvelle voyage of mine was my travelling with my backpack across western and central Europe. It is the best thing that could have happened to me at this age.
I definitely have a few things to mention about the things that travelling has taught me. It made me believe that the world is not that bad after all. It made realize that I was always judgmental towards others and thus in fact very harsh on myself. Travelling allowed me to put my faith and trust in people again. Moreover it made me comfortable and confident with myself. Being an extrovert since childhood, everyone believed and still do, that people like us have no problems socially however we do have major issues. Problems which the introverts could never imagine in their worst nightmares. Definitely the other side of the hill is always green however being an extrovert is not always cool. It’s exhausting at times and travelling provides you with just that adequate amount of tranquility an extrovert desperately needs.
Born and brought up in a country like India forced me to be super conscious as a guy about my height. It is not a Tyrion Lannister case however Indians leave no stone unturned to make things overly exaggerated and super melodramatic. Travelling in a continent like Europe reinstated that confidence in me to be okay with who and how I am. It also made me realize that not everyone is judgmental and there is a good chance to encounter like minded people anywhere. Before I wore my confidence as an external shield and now it just seems to be an integral part of me. I have reduced spending a portion of my energy staying on guard about the inconsequential things and rather channelize that portion of energy into something more productive. I also learnt certain things the hard way like losing my super expensive coat in a bloody train to Paris just within one and a half of my journey and then realizing to be more attentive. It has definitely allowed me to be super organized and be aware about the little things without losing the main purpose of travelling which is to enjoy every moment.
The amount of acquaintances I have made from all over Europe and the experiences I have had with strangers is truly amazing. Each person I met has been special in their own unique way. The old couple on the bridge, the girl in the train, the parents in Germany, the pianist at Montparnasse, the Indian lady on the TGV, the biologist on the train to Nantes, the mother on the train to Lake district, the girl studying medicine at my age, the professor on the way to Disneyland, the numerous people in the various hostels and so many more. There is just no end to the amount of strangers with whom you can feel connected only to make you realize that after all the world is your country and everyone around you is somehow related to you. Travelling is therefore now my hobby and I have stopped ruminating arrogantly about my situation to be a result of my act of volition. I used to hate when people called me lucky. I used to think that I have worked hard for it and I would not like my handwork to be diluted to luck. However as a traveller after pensive debating with myself I stand confused at the crossroads of happenstance, foreordination and volition. In fact after coming here I have reduced my constraints that shape my logic and perception. I am trying to make my thoughts and principles globally more accommodating. I have definitely become less judgmental and I have stopped assuming things. Interestingly I feel more calm and composed than ever. I hope to build on this trait and try to continue to focus my energy on constructive things...
My personal note..
Places Travelled:
- Paris
- Cannes
- Marseilles
- Cerbere
- Nice
- Monaco
- Diano Marina
- Cinque Terre (Monterroso, Vernazza, Manarola)
- Pisa
- Florence
- Rome
- Alberobello
- Bari
- Venice
- Vienna
- Prague
- Munich
- Amsterdam
- Brussels
- Rennes
- Le Mans
- Strasbourg
- Pornic
- St Nazaire
- Barcelona
- Chamonix
- Les Alpes, Mont Blanc
- Swiss Mountains from Chamonix
- London
- Lake District
Next destination: The Lavender fields, Provence, France
