You're in the final stretch. Your time studying in Paris — whether it's been months or a year — is coming to an end. It's a strange, chaotic limbo of finishing exams, packing boxes, and navigating a complex swirl of feelings… or perhaps, a kind of numbness.
Whether your time abroad was a dream come true or a roller coaster of challenges, you've been through a huge amount of life in a short time. The question now is: how do you say goodbye to an experience that has shaped you, even if you're not sure exactly how yet?
Ending a significant chapter of your life is an art form. Here is a guide to doing it well, so you can leave Paris with a sense of peace and closure, not just a suitcase full of souvenirs.
The first and hardest step is to gently accept that the end is coming. Intellectually, you know this. But emotionally, you might be avoiding it. Surrounded by final parties and exams, it's easy to live in a state of denial, pushing away the difficult emotions the ending kicks up.
Acceptance means allowing yourself to think the thought, "This is ending," and making space for whatever feeling follows. This is crucial, because it empowers you to write your own final chapter, rather than just letting the end happen to you.
Of course, that feeling might be sadness. If your time here was happy and growthful, gratitude can be the sugar that helps the bitter medicine go down. You are not trying to replace the sadness; you are holding it alongside a sense of thankfulness for the gifts this experience gave you.
But what if your time here was difficult? What if it didn't live up to the fantasy? You might be facing the end with a sense of blame or regret. This is where self-forgiveness becomes essential. You can't change what happened, but you can change the story you tell yourself about it. A thought like, "I tried my best with the tools I had. It didn't work out the way I hoped, but I've learned things that will serve me well in the future," is a form of compassionate reframing. Be kind to yourself.
People will tell you, "Don't worry, Paris will always be here. You can come back anytime." This is a well-intentioned half-truth.
Yes, the geographical city of Paris will remain. But the Paris you knew — at this specific age, in this chapter of your life, with this unique group of people — is about to vanish forever. A future visit will be to a different Paris, and you will be a different you.
So, make sure you say goodbye to your Paris in a meaningful way.
Don't leave with regrets. Is there a museum you always meant to see? A cheese appreciation course you never got around to? Do it now.
Create a ritual of farewell. For me, when I leave a place, I create a photo or video project. I spend a few days visiting the places that mattered most to me, and I say a quiet, intentional goodbye to each one. It's a tribute, and it creates a profound sense of closure. Think about what your own version of a perfect goodbye to the city looks like. A final journal entry by the Canal Saint-Martin? One last walk up to Sacré-Cœur?
The second thing people will tell you is, "You'll all stay in touch." This is the kindest and most dangerous lie.
Yes, with the internet, it's objectively possible to stay in touch. And some of these people may become lifelong friends. But for most, life will take over. The enthusiasm of the first few weeks will fade, the WhatsApp group will go quiet, and you will, naturally, grow apart.
So why am I telling you this? To make you depressed? Not at all.
I am telling you this because acknowledging the temporary nature of this moment is what makes it so incredibly precious. It creates an urgency to say what matters, while you still have the chance.
Tell people what they meant to you. It can feel awkward to be heartfelt, but say it anyway. Most people don't hear how much they've impacted someone until it's too late. Don't wait. This isn't just about your closest friends, but classmates, teachers — anyone who made your time here special.
Let emotions flow. Cry. Hug. These are not signs of weakness; they are signs that you have had a rich and meaningful human experience. Let it be what it is.
Closure is about leaving without regret. That is the entire goal. It doesn't mean you will never see these people again. It just means that if you don't, you will know that nothing important was left unsaid.
The yogic principle of Aparigraha, or non-grasping, teaches us to appreciate the good things in life without trying to cling to them. This is your chance to practice that. Treasure everything you've loved here — the good, the hard, the beautiful. You'll be letting some of it go, and you'll be taking the most important parts back home with you. You've got this.
You're in the final stretch. Your time studying in Paris — whether it's been months or a year — is coming to an end. It's a strange, chaotic limbo of finishing exams, packing boxes, and navigating a complex swirl of feelings… or perhaps, a kind of numbness.
The first moment I can remember thinking like a conspiracist, I was seven years old. I was watching The X-Files.