Traveling From Georgia to France for a Semester Abroad
After a thrilling backpacking expedition in the beautiful Colorado wilderness, it was time to prepare for my next adventure. With luggage for the next four months packed and ready, I hugged my family goodbye as my father and I began a four-hour drive up to Charlotte, North Carolina. The goal? Catching my early morning flight the next day. We settled into a hotel near the airport, ready for the journey ahead.
Charlotte Douglas International Airport
As my alarm went off a few hours later at 3:30 a.m., we wasted no time getting ourselves to the Charlotte airport. We found that the airport was currently undergoing renovation work, and the construction caused a slight delay during the security and check-in process. Thankfully, we had planned for such contingencies, ensuring that I still had ample time to reach my gate.
Soon enough, I found myself boarding the first of three flights scheduled for the day. The initial leg took me on a relatively short trip to Newark Liberty International Airport. As the plane soared through the sky, I dozed off for a short nap. When I woke up, we were circling around the area for a landing from the north side of the airport. The sights of New York City greeted me outside the window, offering a bird’s-eye view of iconic landmarks like the Statue of Liberty and the Empire State Building—a mesmerizing experience indeed.
Newark Liberty International Airport
To navigate between terminals at Newark Airport, I hopped on an inter-terminal transfer shuttle bus, opting to avoid another security checkpoint by using the AirTran. It was fascinating to travel beneath the train line within the airport premises. However, upon reaching Terminal A, I realized its size was significantly smaller than Terminal C. Realizing the superior food options were in Terminal C, and that I had plenty of time before my next flight, I decided to head back to find a comfortable spot to relax.
My search for a suitable resting place led me near the end of Terminal C, by Gates 121 and 122, where I found a spot that was far enough from the main hustle and bustle to have some relative peace, with both charging stations and a reliable internet connection. The Deli in the Global Bazaar food court enticed me, and I ordered a respectable Turkey and Ham Club sandwich, using the convenient self-checkout option. It was during this time that I discovered I had left my headphones charging case on the previous plane. Annoyed by my forgetfulness, I submitted a lost item request to United Airlines, although I knew that the odds that I’d get an item that small back were pretty slim. So, I decided to also make my first Amazon France purchase – a replacement pair of headphones – to be sent to my new home in Metz, France.
Star Alliance Flights
A little while later, I hopped on the shuttle, this time heading to the airport’s A gates with a brief stop at B along the way. I settled near my gate, ready for the next leg of my journey. Suddenly, my name echoed through the terminal – I was being called to the gate. Because I had been on United Airlines for my first flight but was now switching to Air Canada for the next two legs, they asked to see my passport again for another quick check-in process. Due to a plane change for the flight as well, they offered to check my carry-on bag for free, and I readily accepted, happy to have one less thing to worry about as I flew across the ocean.
Montréal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport
A few hours later after a quick turnaround in Montreal, I boarded another plane, this time bound for Paris. We took off at 7:47 p.m. EST, but sleep eluded me throughout the flight. Unable to get some rest, I passed the time by watching the movies “Secrets of Dumbledore” and “Marry Me.”
Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport
At 8:20 a.m. local time, we touched down in the famously enchanting city of Paris, which meant I was officially in Europe for the first time in my life! The customs process was surprisingly smooth as a new line opened just as I arrived, but this was the only thing that impressed me about Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport. Paris might be a dazzling destination but I found its main airport to be anything but, stumped by the seemingly inconsistent planning and access between terminals. Eager to reach my final destination, I hurriedly made my way to the school-provided shuttle that would take me to Metz. Unfortunately, after having to walk completely around to the other side of the airport after retrieving my luggage, I missed the first shuttle, which meant waiting for the second one a couple of hours later.
Bus Ride East
Eventually however, I met up with other students on their way to Georgia Tech – Lorraine, and we began the four-hour drive east. I was both equally exhausted from my travels and excited for the anticipation of the adventures to come. My excitement won out, and kept me energized despite the long journey. I couldn’t wait to explore the continent during the upcoming months, and that thought stayed with me as I settled into my new home away from home.