I have always been an introvert—as much as I love going out and dancing with other foreign students every Friday night, I crave to go to museums by myself and explore. I am a dork and I completely nerd out to audio guides. I also enjoy reflecting on paintings too. It is actually scary how much time I’ve spent in front of Nighthawks at the Art Institute (it’s free for NU students #gowildcats). At first, I was hesitant to go out to the Louvre or Musée d’Orsay by myself. I grew up in the suburbs. The metro system or the hundreds of people on the streets overwhelmed me…not to mention how I felt pressure to make friends and constantly surround myself with NU students.
But now, 6 weeks into the program, I am comfortable. I go to a museum by myself almost three times a week. I spend so much time chilling in front of the Mona Lisa (pro-tip: the place is empty on Wednesday and Friday nights) and the clock at Musée d’Orsay is breathtaking no matter how many times you visit. The fashion museum has so many Audrey Hepburn pieces, and it’s unbelievable how tiny she was. I can even tell you random facts about so many sculptures, artists, paintings and home decorations. It’s incredible how I’ve become a walking Snapple lid.
And what’s even more incredible is the new found self-confidence. Me, a girl who rarely left Schaumburg, IL, can maneuver through the metro system, walk like a Parisian, and talk like a 5-year-old child Parisian.