Choon-Hee's nervousness dissipated in response to Vincent's colloquial greeting. Formalities always felt strange to her - there is a certain forced awkwardness about them, especially when speaking in a foreign tongue. Vincent’s casual reply felt more natural and fluid, just like the French the young photographer had dreamed of hearing firsthand. While she had been successful in the multiple French classes she had taken at home, speaking and understanding French in a classroom was extremely different from interacting with a native speaker. Her mind spun with ways on how to properly respond to his question.
Like a whirlwind, the emotions of the day's adventure came flooding back. Uncertainty on the flight, amazement walking around the city, inspiration from the photogenic surroundings and its inhabitants; everything was so new and exciting. "Surreal," Choon-Hee mused in response, a noticeable accent woven in the word, "I can't believe I'm actually in Paris." The young photographer beamed at her roommate, a wide smile plastered to her face in her joy. She waited patiently while Vincent finished unpacking, and then stared uncertainly at his outstretched hand. Remembering that it was a western custom to shake hands, she tentatively took his hand and shook it.
"You're a photography major right? I think I met a few of you on the way here."
A smile returned to the young woman’s lips. "Yes, I am a photography major! That is cool that you met some more photographers on the way here. I can’t wait to meet them when classes start." She gently let go of his hand and then proceeded to unpack her duffle bag in search of her laptop. Once she had located it, she then began to hook up her camera in order to save the day’s work. Looking back at Vincent she began to wonder how they would begin to create their final project. "You're a music major correct? What type of music do you work with the most?”