2023: A Year in Review
Hi friends,
It feels like it’s been a lifetime since I’ve last written. Between the busy storm of wrapping up my internship, hosting a holiday party, and welcoming a new roommate, life seemed to fly by a mile a minute.
Now that it’s New Year’s Eve, I feel as though life is all catching up to me and I’ve started to reflect on the past year.
Gifts and fresh flowers from my birthday
At this time last year, I was sitting in the first semester of classes of my Masters program wondering if my time in Paris would actually prove to be worthwhile. I was so frustrated by the slow nature of all the administrative things I had to take care of that I felt it difficult to actually enjoy my new life in Paris let alone be mentally present for everything.
After the New Year, I came back to Paris with a new mindset and a new determination to see things through. I was lucky that I made a lot of friends during my first semester in school but I felt as though I was still missing something. By the time I returned to Paris, it was the dead of winter and I had yet to learn all the tips and tricks that are essential for surviving in a European winter. I was sleeping a lot due to the lack of sun during the day and perpetually stressed about finding an internship after my studies. Again I felt like I was in more survival mode than what most people would assume my life would be like based on Emily in Paris.
Eventually, I secured an internship thanks to a little networking and the kindness of friends. I was grateful, excited, and eager to make a strong impression as the only American in the office. I wanted to prove that I was no Emily in Paris rather that I had arrived with an openness to learn and the skills to adapt to the French way of doing things. Though I would be lying if I said that everything came easy to me in a working environment where everyone spoke French, I will say that what I valued most was the other interns’ willingness to accept me as I am despite my differences in age, culture, and language. From long hours in the office to running around with photographers at events, the time I spent at my internship was an immersive experience into the the world of Paris’ top social soirees and cultural events.
Don’t get me wrong, as glamorous or as Emily in Paris-esque aspect of my life might sound on paper it could be anything but. Like in any job, it’s full of highs and lows, exciting days and boring ones. Don’t be fooled by my carefully curated Instagram feed.
Learning to adjust to seasonal weather was a whole process in itself. It took a while to accumulate enough winter clothes and learn how to layer accordingly. Luckily, Paris is full of amazing thrift stores so I’ve been able to pick up a few amazing pieces here and there. Here’s a little outfit recap from the last year. Most of my clothes are second-hand, vintage, or stolen from my mom’s closet:
Now that I’ve entered my sophomore year as an expat, I feel a little older and wiser but still as unknowing as ever with regards to my future. Next year, I have high hopes that I will land a permanent job where I can apply my international perspective and skills to contribute to a brand’s marketing and branding strategy; however, as much as I might be set on one thing, I know I must be open to whatever comes my way.
These are some of the highlights from this past year:
Visiting Switzerland and Italy with my school
Spending Easter in Florence
Going to my first Haute Couture show
Hosting Chinese New Year and Galentine’s Day
An evening at Versailles
Making new friends
Beauty collabs (Armani Beauty, YSL Beauty, Mugler Fragrances, The Outset, Viktor & Rolf, Prada Fragrances)
Hosting my second annual holiday party
For the last couple of weeks, I’ve been lucky enough to enjoy time in LA with family and friends for the holidays. All my life, I’ve dreamed about a European Christmas, but now that I’ve experienced winter as an Angeleno, there’s nothing I want more than to go home to sunny LA to escape the winter.
I would like to dedicate this final blog post for the year to my family and friends, both in LA and Paris. All my adventures, endless administrative battles, and daily sagas wouldn’t be the same without the kindness and love from strangers turned friends turned chosen-family. This past year has been one of the most formative years of my life and having people to share it with has made every trial and tribulation worthwhile.
As always, thanks you for reading and if you have any questions about my life abroad, feel free to leave a comment here or send me a message on IG. Wishing you a lovely holiday season. Until next time!
A bientôt,
Kiana