Last year, I decided to go to Ireland.
I was afraid at first. Leaving my family, my friends, my boyfriend, leaving my life in France... But after this amazing experience, I can say that it was the best decision I have ever made so far.
Of course, there were ups and downs, but everything felt so real. I think that I had never lived in the present as I did in Ireland. I knew that this would be the first and last time I could go there to study and have an Irish student life, so I enjoyed everything, every moment, every meeting, every trip.
I know that I will go back there, but I know that even though I’m going back, nothing will be the same, and that’s perfectly fine. This is why I made every minute count.
Ireland is full of treasures, amazing and kind people, and beautiful places.
I remember crying when I went to the Cliffs of Moher, this was absolutely unbelievable for me. I was finally there, in these photographs I saw before going to the Emerald Island. Now I was IN the picture.
I decided to visit each part of Ireland. Whenever I was free, I went visiting museums, harbours, parks, cities, villages, anything that could leave an eternal trace in both my mind and my heart.
And I don’t regret it.
I still have random flashbacks of my life there, and I feel nostalgic. But I’m not sad, I’m grateful.
Living abroad is a present that you should take gratefully, no matter the current situation you’re in. If you are in a relationship, if you have FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out), if you are afraid of not being able to be there for the people who need you... I know what it feels like, but I also know that you should live for yourself first and take the opportunities that come into your life.
Live it for you and only you.
You will learn to appreciate your own presence, be independent and be proud of yourself every day.
I feared leaving my comfort zone, but now I’ve changed thanks to this experience.
It feels good to be ME, to love ME and be proud of myself.
It will be hard to come back, but when you’ll look behind you, you’ll be so glad of what you’ve done for yourself. It will stay with you for the rest of your days.
I'm definitely going back to Ireland, and who knows, maybe I'll even settle there. 
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