France: Angela Evans (Getting Lost to Find My Way)

Program: UW in Paris, Spring

I stood in Montmartre with my French class, staring out over the entire city, realizing that this was the first time I had truly felt far from home. I was in a place where nothing felt familiar, not because of the distance, but because I couldn’t rely on language the way I always had. The sounds around me blended together, conversations, traffic, music from somewhere down the hill, and for once, I wasn’t in control of understanding everything, and as an eldest daughter that was really hard for me.

Earlier that morning, I had navigated the metro on my own. What seemed like a simple task turned into a small adventure. I double-checked every stop, compared colors on the map, and listened carefully to announcements I only barely understood. Instead of asking myself, “What if I mess up?” I started asking, “What will I learn if I do?” That shift changed everything.

I did miss a stop. I did walk the wrong direction once and ended up leaving the station on a transfer. But I also learned how to pause, observe, and problem solve with (minimal) panicking. I realized that communication is more than words, it’s gestures, patience, and confidence.

Getting lost wasn’t failure. It was the beginning of real independence. We were all able to laugh after at our failed attempts.

Not knowing exactly what I was doing made the experience even more meaningful. I have a feeling this won’t be the last time I step into the unknown.