I recently got into contact with Imii Mace. A 21-year-old Theology student at Durham, Imii is currently on her year abroad in the Latin Quarter of Paris where she’s studying Art History and French at l’Institut Catholique de Paris. In her spare time, she writes a blog named ‘nettle&blackberry’, covering various subjects such as travel, beauty, and style. I decided to ask Imii about her recent decisions and experience of the Parisian and blogging lifestyle so far.
What made you choose to do a year abroad? Did you always have it in mind?
I’d liked the idea of taking a year abroad ever since we were told it was possible in first year. I was always 70% sure I wanted to head abroad, and then they added Paris to the list of possible places and that sold it to me.
Why did you choose Paris, and are you happy with your decision?
Paris is Paris, y’know? I chose Paris pretty much entirely because it was just the best place on the list – I didn’t even think about things like language barriers and whatever. I just wanted to spend a year swanning about Paris, wearing black and being really cool…
At first it was awful, I won’t lie. I hated my first semester so much that it actually made me ill and I had to go home for a bit. After Christmas it suddenly clicked and now I love it. Wouldn’t change it for the world!
For those planning on visiting Paris, what are your must-see recommendations? Do you have a favourite spot in the city?
Weirdly my favourite place in Paris is Pont Neuf, which is basically just a bridge. Like, it’s a long bridge with great views either side – but also it is just a bridge. For food I can recommend the Latin Quarter, especially the Rue Moufftard, because it’s a great place for studenty places and has pretty good prices. The Vietnamese food in Paris is amazing too. I firmly believe that you can have the best time in Paris without ever crossing the river, and I rarely do. I live in the 5th, go to school in the 6th, and just have no need to go over onto the Right Bank. Also, the view from the Institut de Monde Arabe is amazing, and totally free.
(Pont Neuf, taken by Imii)
Do you feel like your year abroad has changed you as a person and, if so, in what ways?
I’m definitely a lot more independent. I live alone in Paris and, while it can be a little lonely, I love having my own life and my own space. I feel a lot more grown up. Even though I’m not working or anything too adult, I’m having to do things like sort my apartment and bills and bank and all sorts, in a language I don’t really speak, completely by myself. It was tough at first but now I don’t think I want to go back to Durham!
Is it difficult or easy living so far from home?
Luckily, at home, I only live about half an hour or so from the airport so I joke with some of my friends in Paris that it actually takes me less time to get home from Paris, door to door, than from Durham. Paris is a lot closer than people think. That said, it isn’t the distance that’s the issue. Even though it’s so close it can feel a little isolating when even a trip to the supermarket can be a language disaster.
Your article on ‘Let’s Talk About Long Distance Relationships’ is really honest and interesting. Do you ever regret moving abroad and leaving your boyfriend in a different country, or have you managed to make it work for you?Haha nah. Ollie’s cool where he is. We barely even talked about it when I decided to do my year abroad. It was like ‘should I do this thing?’ ‘oh my god yes do the thing!’ and that was it. I did it entirely for me and he’s happy for me, and gets free accommodation in Paris whenever he wants so he can’t complain. It works for us because we don’t really care about it. We FaceTime all the time and still talk about the same things and do the same stuff, and when I do get to seem him it’s awesome. I would never ever have let him affect my decision to go abroad though. I’m too young not to move to Paris for a year because a boy got a bit sad about it.
What are your top tips on making a home-from-home?
Find a solid base of people. I was lucky to have a few friends from Durham already in Paris, and met a few other English speakers in my first few months. People always get at people who keep their uni friends while abroad, but I don’t think those people quite understand how hard it is without them. I have French friends, and I love them to death. They’re some of the best friends I’ve ever had BUT sometimes you need to re-watch Bake Off and that’s cool too. If you have a solid base, you can go anywhere and do anything and it won’t matter.
Why did you decide to start writing a blog last year?
I started n&b in the middle of second year to give me something to do, other than work. I struggled with my housing situation in second year and needed something to do, in my room, that could take my mind off it all. Even though I’m no longer in that situation, I’ve kept it up because I love it.
How did you settle on the name ‘nettle&blackberry’?
Haha so basically I was like ‘shit I need a username errrr…’ and looked around my room, spotted a box of nettle & blackberry tea and was like yeah that sounds sufficiently fluffy and doesn’t box me in. It’ll do.
Someone once asked me if it symbolised the mixing of grit with sweet and I full on laughed in their face. Luckily they were a good friend but oh my.
How has the blogging experience been for you so far? Is it something you’d recommend?
I have on and off periods. I love the community (although they are prone to drama…) and having my own space online. I also love working with brands, and seeing my hard work appreciated. I also put a lot of pressure on myself to post well and regularly and that can ruin it. You have to do it for yourself or it loses the fun and you can get sucked in. It’s like any social media: your number of followers are only important if you let them define you. I definitely would recommend it to absolutely anyone, however, on any topic. I’ve met some amazing people.
Your article called ‘10 Things I’m Grateful For’ is a really refreshing and uplifting read. Other than making such a list, do you have any more tips to share on how to stay happy and positive?
Haha I’m naturally a really negative person so that post took me aaaages to write up. My only piece of advice, that I swear I give to everyone, is just to chill out. Not in a gross patronising way because obviously that isn’t a real option most of the time, but don’t take yourself too seriously. Shit happens and then it’s done and if you focus on it too much, it can eat you up entirely. Let things happen and laugh about them later.
It’s clear from reading your blog that you’re pretty well travelled. Which is your favourite place that you’ve visited so far, and why?
So while on my YA my favourite place has been Berlin because it was just the coolest place and I had a great time with a friend. I go to Copenhagen in May and I’m so excited for that. It’s always been on my list and I have no idea why. I can’t wait.
Last summer I went to Bali for two weeks with my boyfriend and we kinda backpacked around the island, and a few others. That was amazing. If someone offered me plane tickets back there right now, and I had to drop everything, I would. In a heart beat.
I wouldn’t necessarily say that I was well travelled. I have friends that head off to amazing places every other week! If I am going away I just pick somewhere a little different. I’ve been to Kazakhstan but have never been to Spain.
If you could receive a free holiday to visit absolutely anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?
Last summer, after Bali, Ollie went to Costa Rica for a month and I was so so insanely jealous. I’ve never been to South America and the idea of it just makes me so excited. I think it’s next on my list. Even if it were only for a few days I’d love to go to Costa Rica or Peru or Brazil, or anywhere!
Upon your next return to Durham, which will be the first place on your list to visit? Do you have any top recommendations/favourite spots in the city?
For some reason you can’t find decent cake in Paris, unless you go on a specific hunt, so I’ll be going straight to somewhere like 9 Altars because oh my god cake. Or maybe Sweet Tooth? Omg or Tango? There’s a new burger place opening soon? Maybe there too. As a Theology student I also have a bit of an attachment to the cathedral so I’ll probably nip in there too. But after the cake. Some of my non-Durham friends in Paris only know the city by how many cake places there are. I’m obsessed.
And finally, what do you have planned for the near and far future?
So I’m going to Copenhagen in May, and then Nice in June and then I’ll be in Durham to see my friends graduate. I’m not sure what I’ll be doing in between but I know I’ll be busy. After that I have absolutely no plans and I’m kinda looking forward to having a free weekend. There’s talk of a trip to Iceland in September but I have no idea.
As for the far future, I have absolutely no idea. I’ll probably take an MA somewhere and then go from there, but I really haven’t a clue. It’s another reason why I took this year out to be honest. It’s cool. I make money from my blog and social media, so maybe I should just develop that further? We’ll see!
A huge thank you to Imii for all the time she put aside to answer our questions!