A love letter to Poitiers, France

I spent half a year studying abroad in a beautiful medieval french city. At the end of my visit, I made a compilation of all the videos I shot while there, walking around and exploring the city.

Take a step into my view of Poitiers.

A museum directly next to my apartment that was once a Roman bathhouse then converted into a church, and now a museum containing stone coffins found in the area from the medieval time period. Admission was 3 euros. I spent a lot of time here.

A museum directly next to my apartment that was once a Roman bathhouse then converted into a church, and now a museum containing stone coffins found in the area from the medieval time period. Admission was 3 euros. I spent a lot of time here.

A croissant I bought on the way to class that morning

A croissant I bought on the way to class that morning

Weekly market with fresh fruits, vegtables and cheese. The cheese stall was my favorite.

Weekly market with fresh fruits, vegtables and cheese. The cheese stall was my favorite.

One of the animation classrooms

One of the animation classrooms

The view outside of my apartment.

The view outside of my apartment.

My friend lived across this river. I fondly remember her inviting me over to make crepes and getting horribly lost on the way.

My friend lived across this river. I fondly remember her inviting me over to make crepes and getting horribly lost on the way.

The view from my apartment window

The view from my apartment window

My school was once a monastery, inside there were several tiny spiral stone staircases. connecting different floors.

My school was once a monastery, inside there were several tiny spiral stone staircases. connecting different floors.

I took art history in this room. It was the most difficult class, as my French listening skills needed serious work.

I took art history in this room. It was the most difficult class, as my French listening skills needed serious work.

The view from the highest point in the city

The view from the highest point in the city

The center of town, and also where the city hosted a welcome party for all the international students.

The center of town, and also where the city hosted a welcome party for all the international students.

I had a friend comment on the lack of people in the videos I chose for this piece. At the time, I couldn’t explain why, but with time and distance, I think I understand.

I loved living in Poitiers, but it was also the loneliest time of my life. My language classes in the States had not prepared me to dive into conversation with others. I struggled with the language barrier and embarrassment at not knowing the words I needed to communicate.

The students at my school were warm, friendly, and welcoming, and always tried to include me. Despite this, I spent a lot of time alone. Even when I was surrounded by people, I felt there was an invisible barrier separating me from the others.

This compilation I made is of the most significant places to me from that city while also illustrating how deeply alone I felt at the time. It is an unreciprocated but deeply felt, love letter.