HOW DID I END UP IN PARIS?

ALAINA IN PARIS? 

Paris was a time I will never forget, and honestly, I cry every time I think about it. I miss that city more than life. 

But don't worry; I'll be back. 

In the meantime, it's time to share the stories from my adventure in Paris, living alone and striving in the fashion industry. One thing is for sure; it wasn't easy. I had to learn to live independently, understand the language barrier, survive the metro, and work 10 to 6 simultaneously. 

First off, I received the internship by total accident. If you've ever been in a business class, you've been to a career fair. Most teachers require or give extra credit for attendance. So, you know I needed that extra credit; fortunately enough, some fairs still had an option for zoom calls instead of face-to-face interviews. I was scrolling through the boring companies, and when I thought I was out of hope, I came across a company called ABSOLUTE INTERNSHIPS (intern abroad). I figured this meeting would be easy, so I set up a zoom call. After the zoom call, I started to consider, "what if I actually apply for the internship" just for giggles. So, I applied and had an interview. 

During the interview, they asked me the usual questions and what I was interested in. I said I was interested in interning in Paris in the fashion industry through marketing or PR. The interview only lasted 40 minutes; I shut my computer and went on with my day, just happy I would get that extra credit. 

Forty-eight hours later, I got an email. 

"CONGRATULATIONS, you have been accepted into the Paris internship program. You have 72 hours to accept." 

I think my jaw dropped for 10 minutes. I honestly didn't think I would get into the program. Every question in the book was running through my mind. What do I tell my parents? How will I pay for it? Do I ACCEPT?????? 

I called everyone I knew, and they told me I had to. I had to go to Paris. It's been my dream to go back since I was 10, and nothing was going to stop me.

So, I responded with an absolute YES. 

A couple of meetings later, the program reached out to a fashion company that needed interns called Leclaireur. (a luxury concept fashion store in Paris) 

A couple of months later, I had an interview with the company's CEO, and two days later, I officially was their intern. Starting June 6th as a marketing/ PR intern in fashion. 

I think I screamed when the CEO called me and told me I got the internship. Never in a million years did I think I would be working in fashion in PARIS. Are you kidding??? Insane. 

It didn't feel real until I hugged my parents goodbye before going through security on June 2nd. I remembered waving goodbye, thinking this was it. I'm off. Alone. To Paris. The nerves never really got to me. I've traveled a lot in the past and knew the protocols, but it was my first time going internationally alone. However, without my dad's help or WIFI, my luggage might still be in that Chicago airport. 

But when I landed in Paris 9 hours later, I knew it was where I belonged. 

My life in Paris was about to begin.