A memory like mine has difficulty retaining anything predating yesterday. So when I left for an "unforgettable" year in France, I armed myself with a shiny, new digital camera just in case my memory proved to be more forgetful than EF had anticipated. After a few snap-happy weeks, however, I realised two things:

a) There are times when you need to drop your lens-induced barrier and participate. Watching my friends make human pyramids and attempt synchronised aerial gymnastics in Sport class was amusing but the best part was leaving my camera behind and joining in the uncontrollable-giggling, stepped-on-toes, sprawled-landing, back-crushing fun.

b) Some things just can't be captured on photo, either because you didn't have your camera handy or because a photo wouldn't do justice to the experience.

Late one night, my host family's heavily-pregnant cat managed to infiltrate my bedroom and proceeded to give birth on my bed! Needless to say, taking a photo was the last thing on my mind as I yelled out to my host sister (thanking my lucky stars I knew how to say "give birth" in French) and yet that memory is one that I'll certainly never forget.

So, with this in mind, I moderated my camera usage and, despite my fears, my High School Year Abroad was truly unforgettable. I was able to participate in village celebrations, philosophical discussions (my favourite class), meals that lasted for 5 hours and much, much more. I made friends who took me to theme parks, parties, and movies. Not only did I learn grammar and vocabulary, but also some European history and geography, famous authors, card games and a thousand other things I didn’t expect at the outset.

If you’re up for a challenge, and are willing to work at it every day, an exchange will improve your language skills exponentially and teach a maturity that is hard to acquire by staying within your comfort zone. Saying au revoir may be painful but you return well-equipped to deal with the challenges life throws at you.