I've decided that I would like to stay in France for a whole academic year next year instead of just a semester. The benefits of staying in a country for that long as opposed to just 4 months are many; language proficiency being just one of them. It's a big decision to be sure...I haven't even broken it to my parents yet that I plan to leave them for a year! Most of my friends don't know either...I need this to be a decision about me. It's an independent choice I've made and I feel extremely confident about it. Most of the time I'm afraid I'll change my mind but I don't fear that at this point. I feel very good about this decision and that's the important thing- I have no regrets. So here's to new choices and new plans and scary new situations!