As a French major, one of the biggest goals I had before entering college was to study abroad in a francophone country. As I started as a freshman at UA, I felt secure enough in my French skills to apply for the “UA in France: Language and Culture” faculty-led trip. The trip was perfect: I could study in the small, cozy cultural hotspot of Tours, and then spend a week in the fast-paced city of Paris! When I was accepted, I felt excited for the new opportunity and eager to use my French skills inside and outside of the classroom every single day. However, as summer came and my flight date steadily approached, I started feeling like an impostor, even though I had been learning French for 4 years and had a good amount of experience under my belt. I became worried that I would forget all of my skills, and that no one would be able to understand me when I touched down in Charles de Gaulle. I watched French podcasts with the time I had outside of my job to practice. I packed lots of layers, seeing as Tours and Paris are still overcast and windy, even in the summer months of June and July. Yet despite my anxieties, I was still giddy with anticipation of leaving the States. When reflecting on my goals, I affirmed my will to refine my French-speaking skills—especially my accent and confidence—when I am in the country, as well as take in as much as I could of the places, people, and sites that I have access to.