Heading to France: study abroad perspectives from Anjenie Garcia Fernandez

by Anjenie Garcia Fernandez, Marketing, Sophomore

I’ve been to many places in my life, but France is probably the most exciting due to my lifelong interest in fashion and because Paris is one of the world’s fashion capitals. It was Saturday, and I had driven back from school the night before to spend time with my family before my departure. The fact that I would be in Europe the next day had not yet hit me even though I would be leaving a few short hours later. We left for the airport at 11 am the next day. My mom, brother, and sister accompanied me inside, and we then proceeded to the check-in counter.

As the ticket agent checked my luggage and papers, I was missing a form. In retrospect, I was fine, but the idea of something compromising the trip I had longed for and worked so hard for shook me to the core. Eventually, I finished the papers I needed, and all was well again. Then I realized this was it. I said goodbye to my family and walked through TSA, I looked back to see them waving frantically, and then they were gone. I was going to France. The first flight went smoothly, but unfortunately, my second flight had a close connection.

When I arrived on the first flight, a woman came up to me and asked, “Is there any way I could have this seat? I have a tight connection”. I asked if she was going to France as well, and she nodded her head excitedly, relieved that someone else shared her problem. Once we landed in New York, we moved quickly. People around us, aware of our short connection, kindly let us pass. That was probably the fastest I had ever run in my life, but 10 minutes later, we reached the gate. “Paris, France,” read the screen. In a few short hours, I would be in one of my dream destinations. Life felt surreal. We reached the gate just as they called group 7 to board. As soon as they called group 8, I walked up to the podium to scan my ticket. I was going to France.

• Categories:
• Marketing
• Study Abroad