France: Navigating Airports

Submitted by Emily Gray on the 2019 fall semester program in Prague, Czech Republic…

I am writing this in the wake of a most stressful ordeal: almost missing my flight to France. My friend and I decided to visit three European cities during our mid-term break this semester, and we couldn’t be more excited at the prospect of discovering the world. However, our journey from Dublin, Ireland to Nice, France was less than ideal. I would like to blame this solely on our airline, which is notorious for being both terrifically cheap and horrifically unreliable. My own inexperience with flying is also to blame, though. Traveling alone or with another friend can be stressful, especially when you don’t feel at home in an airport. There are a few things I intend to do differently on my next flight to ease some of this stress.

Firstly, I want to get to the airport earlier. The general rule is two hours before your flight, but I would recommend even earlier if you don’t know anything about the airport or airline you’re flying. I am also going to familiarize myself more with the details of my flight by checking in earlier and researching luggage requirements. Most importantly, I am going to stay calm. This was my first time “cutting it close” with a flight, and it reinforced all the travel anxieties I’ve been trying to fight. It’s completely normal to feel overwhelmed in situations like mine, but keeping a cool head is essential to navigating your journey in a foreign place. Moreover, you have to remain positive despite the stress. Don’t let a long line in security or problems with luggage ruin your attitude. At the end of the day, traveling is an amazing thing! While flying can be a nightmare, it is a necessary evil to see the greater world.