Sara’s abroad in Paris, France, until Dec. 13.

It’s officially been over a week since America experienced what will assuredly be known as one of the most historic elections of our generation. I think it’s taken a good seven or eight days for the fact that we’ll be saying President Obama in two months to really sink in for me.

Being abroad during the campaign season has been an interesting experience, to say the least. Of all the countries in Europe, I think France is usually credited with being the most stereotypically “anti-American” (although, I have to admit I have rarely experienced this first hand). The story goes that they think Americans all speak with a “Dubya” accent, straight out of Texas, that our health care system allows people to die on the streets and that we generally have a total disregard for the rest of the world.

So, after we have finally done the unthinkable, elected the president that the entire global community supported, I have to say, it’s felt a little lackluster here in France. For my first two months here, every person I met at a party asked what I thought of Obama. “Are you going to make Europe cry again?” was a question I heard more than once. You got the feeling that they were throwing all their support behind Barack, but didn’t really trust us to elect him. After seeing America vote Bush into office twice, maybe they have a right to have low expectations. Nevertheless, not a week went by without seeing Obama on a cover of a newspaper or a magazine. (Just a note to the American media, I barely knew who Sarkozy was before I got here, much less do I remember seeing his face at every newsstand.)

But now, in the wake of the victory they seemed to have waited eight years for, it doesn’t seem so much like a celebration but rather just a sign of relief. Our professors greeted us back this week (we were on vacation last week) by saying, “So, America made some pretty important choices this past Tuesday” but that was all. It’s almost as if the French have said, “Finally, you’ve listened to us!” and have now gone about their own business.

During and post the election, for the first time since maybe getting here, I’ll admit I’ve felt a little homesick. Not because I miss my family or friends (although, don’t worry guys, I do miss you). But because of all the amazing things that seem to be happening across the pond. I recently got an email from my best friend at school about her experience going to Grant Park for election night. I know I shouldn’t complain about having to be in Sevilla gallivanting around Spain for a week, but the description of the crowd – electrified with optimism and hope – made me long for America and my hometown, Chicago.

It’s not often that you get to be a proud American in Europe. Usually you try to downplay the fact that you come from the US. Or you quickly qualify it with, “Yeah, but don’t worry. I don’t like Bush.” But now, we really do have something to be proud of. We’ve transcended racial barriers — something France is years from accomplishing. The American people have demanded change. It’s like America was out at a party, chatting with the likes of Europe and the rest of the international community and finally cleared something up: “Don’t worry. We don’t like Bush now, either.” It seems like for once, we’re all on one team. Which is good considering we’re in the thick of a global economic crisis.

And while I expected a little more than just a thumbs up from the French, I’ve still managed to celebrate on my own. Conversations in Spain seemed to always revert back to, “I can’t believe it’s true. I can’t believe we actually did it.” And every time I see President-Elect Obama on CNN.com, I smile.
Again, with only a month left in Paris, I’m not at all wanting the time to slip by faster than it already is. But, going back home now has a new intrigue. My friend, Maya, who went to Grant Park on that historic night, has assured me I’ll come back to a changed country. So, while I’ll miss Paris, I am excited to step foot on the new America.

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