Those were the words of warning my mother gave me once I'd officially signed up to study abroad for a year. I think she wanted to make sure I'd come back.
To appease her, I did fall in love; I just cleverly did it with a boy I'd met the semester beforehand who spent his year in the United States while I was in Ecuador, Chile, and France. Since him, I've traveled quite a bit, and doing so as a single gal is a totally different experience. Dare I say a bit more fun? Still, as I mention in the article I linked to, I do believe there are pros and cons to taking part in my favorite activity (international exploring) at any relationship status.
It's different this time around though. I may technically be studying abroad again, but I'm also literally moving to Paris. I will be living there for at least a year which leaves more than enough time for something (or someone) significant to happen. It's also worth noting I very recently realized I'm ready to fall in love again; and that far too many people have told me I will do so there.
None of this is to say I'm expecting, or even hoping for anything... simply that I wouldn't be opposed to not taking my mom's advice from August 31st on :).
Words by D.Alvarez, Photo by K. Ottomanelli