Today was the last day of academic classes at my host university, and I’m grateful that I can end the day by being present here at my sit spot. I walked by the park after what I thought was closing time, but it turns out that the park is open later in the evening when the sun is still out. It’s past 8:30pm, and the sun still hasn’t set. It’s finally hitting me that I’ll be leaving and going home soon, but I am so grateful to have been a part of this space. I love the sound of the stream and the way the ducks congregate at the banks of the pond. I see that new flowers are gradually coming in, and they look beautiful.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As I’m nearing the end of my time abroad, I’m grateful that I had the chance to take the time to continuously return to my sit spot. Especially in a busy city like Paris, it’s hard to find a space to rewind and reflect on the environment. There’s so much I learned about Paris and French culture in the context of the environment and beyond. I’m in this city at an interesting point in history; we are living through a movement where people are standing up to the government for pension reforms. The way people respond to the actions of the leaders in this country has a direct impact on the environment and the economy that exists here. I’ve also had the chance to explore what the natural resources of France can offer. I got involved with the sustainability organization at my host university (The American University of Paris), and I’ve been on various excursions within and around Paris. I’ve seen the farmer’s markets out on the streets and learned about the French agriculture industry; the way that produce is distributed is controlled by a select few suppliers and limits freedom in the way people do their trade in this industry. I’ve also seen the natural landscape just outside of parks by going on walks and hikes to appreciate the greenery outside of a more urban landscape.