So, I apologize for not updating this as often as I used too. I had always heard that the schoolwork for study abroad is easier because they want you to experience the country. Well that's a LIE. Especially if all your classes are in a different language...
Other than my loads of homework, everything here is going pretty well! I am finally in a routine and hearing a different language 24/7 doesn't even phase me anymore. However, I am heading to Brussels and Amsterdam in 3 DAYS... and from what I have read there are a lot of English speakers in those regions which will be nice!
This morning I had my OFII immigration doctors appointment which wasn't really anything special- it's required if you live in France for longer than 90 days. But I made another American friend while sitting in the waiting room. She is here teaching English to high schoolers for a year- which is something that I would definitely consider doing after college! Also, they took an Xray of my lungs- which they gave me to keep... I'm not really sure what to do with a giant Xray of my lungs sitting in my bedroom, but they said not to lose it (I don't know how you could).
Well thats about all that is new in France land at the moment! The weather gets prettier and prettier every day (except for the days that it rains). I am ready for springtime! Well... I better get back to studying "Marketing International" (Yes, it is spelled the exact same, but the words are flipped around and said with a French accent). A tout a l'heure!
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Friday, February 18, 2011
1 month later...
Another week has come and gone... and it's hard to believe that I have already been here for a month! I have enjoyed my time here more than I ever could have possibly imagined. Contrary to popular belief, most French people do not hate Americans...at least none that I have encountered anyway! They seem to be fascinated by us. My professors and host family are constantly asking about English words and seem so interested in American traditions!
However, while that stereotype may not be true, there are many very true French stereotypes. They are very fashionable. I have yet to see a French person wearing a t-shirt or sweatpants. They tend to wear dark colors and scarfs and their style is very classy. I definitely hope to bring some French style back to the states when I return home :). Another stereotype that is true is the DELICIOUS cuisine. I haven't had much food here that I haven't liked. But, the French are so skinny! This is because they walk EVERYWHERE and do not snack between meals. They eat breakfast, lunch and dinner and nothing else throughout the day. So different than in America!
Tomorrow, I am hoping to walk around centre ville with some friends. The weather is starting to be beautiful and what could possibly be more amazing than France in the springtime? Outdoor cafes, lots of shopping, and beautiful gardens. Coming here is no doubt the best and most exciting thing that I have ever done and I do not want to waste one minute!
Well, it's out to town for me to night, so until next time.... Au Revoir mes amis!
However, while that stereotype may not be true, there are many very true French stereotypes. They are very fashionable. I have yet to see a French person wearing a t-shirt or sweatpants. They tend to wear dark colors and scarfs and their style is very classy. I definitely hope to bring some French style back to the states when I return home :). Another stereotype that is true is the DELICIOUS cuisine. I haven't had much food here that I haven't liked. But, the French are so skinny! This is because they walk EVERYWHERE and do not snack between meals. They eat breakfast, lunch and dinner and nothing else throughout the day. So different than in America!
Tomorrow, I am hoping to walk around centre ville with some friends. The weather is starting to be beautiful and what could possibly be more amazing than France in the springtime? Outdoor cafes, lots of shopping, and beautiful gardens. Coming here is no doubt the best and most exciting thing that I have ever done and I do not want to waste one minute!
Well, it's out to town for me to night, so until next time.... Au Revoir mes amis!
Monday, February 14, 2011
Happy Valentines Day!!
Happy Valentines Day to all!!
Valentines Day is celebrated in France but it is definitely not as commercial as in the US. The only advertisements for the holiday are seen in Chocolate shops and it is usually only celebrated by young, unmarried couples. But my Valentines day has been wonderful so far! My night class was canceled, I have a working computer again, and I just received a wonderful Valentines package from my family! (Thank you so much to everyone who put something in it).
Anyway, this weekend I went to St. Malo and Mont St. Michel with IES. St. Malo is an old chateau on the beach. We walked along the walls of the chateau and then went out to the beach and put our feet in the English Channel (We were on the very northern tip of France where England is only a fairly short boat ride away). Below are some pictures of St. Malo...
Valentines Day is celebrated in France but it is definitely not as commercial as in the US. The only advertisements for the holiday are seen in Chocolate shops and it is usually only celebrated by young, unmarried couples. But my Valentines day has been wonderful so far! My night class was canceled, I have a working computer again, and I just received a wonderful Valentines package from my family! (Thank you so much to everyone who put something in it).
Anyway, this weekend I went to St. Malo and Mont St. Michel with IES. St. Malo is an old chateau on the beach. We walked along the walls of the chateau and then went out to the beach and put our feet in the English Channel (We were on the very northern tip of France where England is only a fairly short boat ride away). Below are some pictures of St. Malo...
The Edge of the Chateau at St. Malo and the beach
With a cannon in front of the English Channel
On top of the St. Malo Chateau!
This is a terrible picture of me, but it is all of the Wofford students in Nantes
Lunch with some friends at St. Malo
After St. Malo we went to Mont St. Michel, which is a monastery that was built in 708. It resisted all of the attacks against France and became a symbol of National Identity. Below are some pictures from Mont St. Michel....
The view from the top. At high tide, it is an island. So peaceful!
Me at the Top of Mont St Michel!
In front of Mont St. Michel
It was a wonderful trip! We all had a great time. Well, with bisous sucres (sugar kisses) and lots of hugs, Happy Valentines Day!!
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Well I made a spontaneous trip to Paris on Tuesday! I know that sounds so exciting and romantic… but I went by myself in 1 day to get my computer fixed. Although it was inconvenient and exhausting, the Apple Store was underneath the Louvre Museum and, although the museum is closed on Tuesdays, I sat in the courtyard right beside the famous glass pyramids and read for hours. It was beautiful! I definitely want to go back when it is open and I have more time. Hopefully I will have my computer back soon!! My host dad is going to call tonight to see if they can mail it to me so that I don't have to go back to Paris. Don’t get me wrong, I would LOVE to go back to Paris… just when I have more time for sightseeing and when I'm not by myself.
Anyway… this weekend IES is taking us to Mont St Michel which I am excited about! We leave Saturday morning and come back that evening. Also, winter break plans are well underway. A few of us are going to Brussels, Belgium for 2 days then we are going to meet up with some others in Amsterdam for the rest of the week. I love the fact that European college students have a winter break AND a spring break.
Classes are still going well and I am still making a lot of new friends… French and American. Until next time… à tout à l'heure!
Monday, February 7, 2011
Another weekend in Nantes...
Bonjour!
My computer screen broke the other day so I am having to update my blog whenever I have some free time at the IES center. Hopefully it will be fixed soon!
This past weekend was fun! Saturday night we went to a place called "Burger House" which is owned by an American man who married someone from Nantes. They live in the United States for half the year and here for the other half. It was so nice to be able to order food in English! I had a delicious chicken sandwich which we ate on the steps of a beautiful cathedrale. Afterwards we went to this cute little cafe called "La Maison" (the house). Each room was decorated like a 1970s house. There was even a bathtub turned into a table...
Other than that things are the same as usual... I hope to get pictures up soon!
xoxo,
Leah
My computer screen broke the other day so I am having to update my blog whenever I have some free time at the IES center. Hopefully it will be fixed soon!
This past weekend was fun! Saturday night we went to a place called "Burger House" which is owned by an American man who married someone from Nantes. They live in the United States for half the year and here for the other half. It was so nice to be able to order food in English! I had a delicious chicken sandwich which we ate on the steps of a beautiful cathedrale. Afterwards we went to this cute little cafe called "La Maison" (the house). Each room was decorated like a 1970s house. There was even a bathtub turned into a table...
Other than that things are the same as usual... I hope to get pictures up soon!
xoxo,
Leah
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
La Chandeleur
Today, February 2, is La Chandeleur. It is a holiday in France that celebrates eating crepes. Which means that for dinner I had 2 ham and cheese crepes and 2 banana and chocolate crepes. I think that this is a holiday that I am going to be bringing back to America...
The past few days haven't been bad... During the day I have been hanging out at the IES center and reading, watching French movies, and drinking hot tea when I don't have class. Last night I went to "conversation club" where a bunch of French students and a bunch of IES (American) students meet at the IES center and talk for 45 minutes in French and 45 minutes in English. It is a lot of fun and a great place to meet French students! My group talked about music and politics for the most part- it was very interesting to hear what the French thought of our government. And I also learned a lot about the French government as well!
Communication is getting a lot easier! I don't have much trouble at all now going into shops or small cafes... usually "Je voudrais un cafe/une sand-wich/une coca..." (I would like a coffee/sandwich/coca cola...) is usually sufficient. It is getting a lot easier to talk to my host family too, every evening at dinner my host mom makes me tell her about my day in French and I am getting pretty good at it! Also in the IES center, "Anglais est interdit!" (English is forbidden) We are absolutely required to speak French to everyone at IES. There are ears everywhere so if we even say so much as a word in English it will be heard and we will be reprimanded. While it is annoying at times, I am starting to get used to it.
Well, after eating all of those crepes I think it is almost my bedtime.
A toute a l'heure!
The past few days haven't been bad... During the day I have been hanging out at the IES center and reading, watching French movies, and drinking hot tea when I don't have class. Last night I went to "conversation club" where a bunch of French students and a bunch of IES (American) students meet at the IES center and talk for 45 minutes in French and 45 minutes in English. It is a lot of fun and a great place to meet French students! My group talked about music and politics for the most part- it was very interesting to hear what the French thought of our government. And I also learned a lot about the French government as well!
Communication is getting a lot easier! I don't have much trouble at all now going into shops or small cafes... usually "Je voudrais un cafe/une sand-wich/une coca..." (I would like a coffee/sandwich/coca cola...) is usually sufficient. It is getting a lot easier to talk to my host family too, every evening at dinner my host mom makes me tell her about my day in French and I am getting pretty good at it! Also in the IES center, "Anglais est interdit!" (English is forbidden) We are absolutely required to speak French to everyone at IES. There are ears everywhere so if we even say so much as a word in English it will be heard and we will be reprimanded. While it is annoying at times, I am starting to get used to it.
Well, after eating all of those crepes I think it is almost my bedtime.
A toute a l'heure!
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