Kim. I officially met her once for coffee a year ago when I returned from Montpellier, but I feel like we’re the same person sometimes. I’ve been unintentionally following in her footsteps for the past 2+ years.
- 1. Kim’s parents are missionaries. She spent most of her childhood on Saint Lucia island.
2. Montpellier. Kim studied in Montpellier the semester before me.
3. La famille Barre. A mutual friend suggested Kim’s host family to me in Montpellier since she enjoyed them so much. I befriended her on facebook just to ask her about the family and see if she had any advice/suggestions.
4. The TransAtlantic Masters Program. While I was still with the Barres, Kim emailed Madame Barre to tell her that she was going to attend Sciences Po for a masters … I knew exactly which program she applied for. Throughout my application process, I again asked her for suggestions/advice and if she liked the program thus far.
5. Sciences Po. With our mutual French background, Kim and I both chose Sciences Po as our international consortium university for both semesters. Kim departed from Paris a week or so ago, but she did not leave me empty handed. We got our second coffee together at her Parisian apartment where she handed off pillows, comforters, sheets, school supplies, books, and an envied Graduate School Library card.
6. Télégraphe. Kim also said that if I was looking for a wonderful church, then I should come with her on Sunday. Her mom’s friend knew someone who went there and she’d been attending since she arrived in Paris. “It’s small and kind of far, but it’s definitely worth it!”
I went to the service on Sunday at this little Eglise Protestante Evangelique in the 20th arrondissement and was warmly welcomed by all. There is a pretty large group of people my age (~15) for the size of the congregation (~75), and most of them are French! There’s one other American girl and a Canadian. I am planning on singing in the choir (as Kim did) which consists of 5 people sitting in the back corner. The music director studies as the conservatory in Paris and from time to time whips out his muted trumpet during worship.
On Sunday after church we went to Ana-Joel’s apartment to bake crêpes for Kim’s going away party(below). 
My second Sunday the preacher and his wife (who’s from Kentucky) invited me and three others over for lunch at their home and Sunday night a few of us met up for dinner in the city.
I am soooo thankful for Kim and all of her efforts to make sure I have a smooth transition into life here and even more grateful that I have a church so soon upon arriving, and I’m even more thankful for Kim.
7. Future? Kim this past summer had an internship at the OECD – I’m applying for the same … fingers-crossed that the trend continues! And watch out Pittsburg, because you seem to be my next destination.
