Réflexions sur cette expérience dans l'avion

Le voyage à Paris était très magnifique et une grande aventure. L’expérience était très magique.  J’y ai fait beaucoup d’amis. --Willa

La semaine dernière était une expérience tellement unique et révélatrice.  J’ai passé mon séjour dans deux endroits très différents (Calais et Paris), mais j’ai appris que quelques aspects étaient semblables aussi.  Par exemple, les choses les plus importantes pour tout le monde en France sont la famille, le bonheur et le pain.  Merci aux familles pour la semaine dernière ! Maintenant, je suis sûre que je suis une meilleure personne. Je sais plus de choses, j’ai vu plus de choses et j’ai fait plus de choses et c’est grâce à vous et votre accueil.  –Sarah 

Walking around Paris with Maria, taking the metro, purchasing artisan hot dogs, and kilo-shopping felt like little slices of an idealistic Parisian life to which I cannot wait to return.  It’s as if this past week  was merely a movie theater preview or a 2-minute YouTube trailer (prefaced by an 11-hour plane ride rather than a 15-second ad) promising the drop of a full movie sometime in the nebulous future. I know for sure that I will return to this lovely city, and when I do I will develop these brief glimpses into the full tableau. I will spend a day on each floor of the Musée d’Orsay, have a chocolat chaud at Les Deux Magots, probably get pickpocketed at some point, develop a convincing argument for the existence of souls, and use the heck out of my Pass Navigo.

samedi avec les correspondants

I discovered my favorite things about Paris just as we were leaving.  As he was dropping us off at the Air France airport shuttle, Maria’s stepdad, a tall, bald man with whom I have exchanged probably 20 words, wished me a nice life. Later, an airport store cashier said the same.  I was taken aback by the candid yet nonchalant way in which they said “Have a nice life;” the phrase is almost identical to our American blessing “Have a nice day,” but that one word difference makes me feel some way I can’t quite articulate!  “Have a nice life,” I love it, and it’s as if these French people wish people lifetimes of happiness on the daily!!—Sarah C.

Photo de Willa

Bonjour!  These past five days, I was lucky enough to be hosted by the Barbier family.  I grew much closer to my correspondant, Paul, and also got to know the rest of his family.  He has an older sister and brother, Clémece and Pierre-Louis and three younger siblings, Clothilde, Bartholomew, and Hippolyte. I loved discussing the cultural differences our countries have and what we like about each other’s country.  For example, they love American entertainment and I’m really into French food.  I am sorry to be leaving them and hope for a chance to be with them in the future. 

Pendant mon temps en France, j’ai appris beaucoup de choses. D’abord un voyage à l’étranger conduit à une immersion et un échange culturel. Deuxièmement, le français prend la nourriture, et manger la nourriture, très au sérieux. Troisièmement, nous avons plus en commun qu’on ne pourrait penser. Je suis éternellement reconnaissant pour mon occasion de voyager en France. Cette semaine a été une de mes favorites, et une que je ne vais pas oublier. Avec de l’optimisme, je vais retourner en France bientôt.-- Andrew D

Photo par Andrew D.

My time in France was absolutely wonderous. Not only did I build my French language skills, learn the geography of France, but I made lifelong connections.  The exchange experience taught me a lot about daily life in a different country.  I also loved how we were able to visit two different areas in France (Pas-de-Calais and Paris). I learned how life can differ between two cities in the same country.  This trip taught me a lot about myself.  Whether it was trying to speak French all of the time or trying new exotic food (snails), I constantly found myself pushing boundaries during my time in France.  I am sad to go and I hope I can visit again soon. –Willa H.

Samedi, ma famille et moi, nous sommes allés au Château de Versailles !  Nous avons visité le château du roi, les petites maisons de Marie Antoinette, et puis nous avons vu les chariots de Louis XIV. L’art et les décorations ornées étaient très beaux.  Les tableaux dans le châteaux étaient merveilleux et les chariots aussi. La vie de Louis XIV était pleine de luxe parce que tout étaient peint en or ou couvert de l’or. Merci à ma famille d’accueil de m’amener au château. J’ai vu beaucoup de choses et j’ai passé un très  bon séjour.---Maddy K.

Chère famille Azria- Merci pour tout ce que vous avez fait pour moi.  Votre hospitalité et accueil sont très appréciés. Ma première fois en Europe ínoubliable grâce à vous.  Vous serez toujours la bienvenue chez moi. – Lucas J

I had an amazing experience with both families. They were both very kind and caring and made sure that my stay was incredible.  A highlight from my Calais home-stay was when they introduced me to the famous French dish, la raclette.   I loved it!! A highlight from my Paris home-stay was when we went out to dinner and I experienced the multilingual communications of the family (italien, français, et angalis).  It is sad to know that I won’t be able to see them in a while or ever again.  I will always remember this life-changing trip and the kindness of the families.

As someone who has never experienced Europe in the past, having my first experience in France, especially two locations so radically different, was truly eye-opening.  Experiencing firsthand the differences between the urban and rural settings allowed me to better understand the lives of the people and the challenges they face in their day-to-day lives.  This, as well as being able to see life through the eyes of an average French teenager, made my first time truly memorable and educational. 

I would have to say my favorite places were probably Les Jardins du Luxembourg and Montmartre, as le Jardins du Luxembourg was a very relaxed and calm place whereas Montmartre was more lively and activity oriented. –Lucas A.

fatigués

This Saturday I spent the day with my Parisian host family.  They told me I could sleep in because Margaux had 1 hours of school in the morning.  My Parisian mom went to the market in the early morning and brought me croissants and fresh orange juice.  For lunch, the whole family (mom, dad, sister and Margaux) went to a café and I got a salad.  It did not have greens as I naively assumed.  Instead it had potatoes and bacon and bread and cheese and apple pieces. Then we walked around the Eiffel Tower to the Seine where we took a boat past some monuments.  When we got off, we walked back to her apartment to prepare for Margaux’s birthday party.  --Olivia

J’ai passé un très bon séjour avec mes correspondantes. J’ai aimé rencontrer leurs amis et passer du temps avec eux. J’ai aussi aimé mon temps dans le bateau dans la Seine à la fête. J’espère qu'à l’avenir je visiterai Paris et les beaux monuments, peut-être avec ma famille d’accueil.  –Olivia S.

This experience, when juxtaposed with normal life, proves to be extraordinary in its uniqueness.  I ate crepes all the time.   My family was the nicest family I have ever met. Big thanks to Mme et M. Bourdier for this incredible hosting.  When I go back to Paris, I will definitely contact my family.  Speaking French definitely expanded my horizons, while still challenging.  Merci beaucoup! --Henry

Bonjour!  This past week in France has been such an incredible experience for me.  In this final blog, I’m going to write about the amazing home-stay in Paris, France.  I felt so welcomed by my family and they were so kind to me.  My correspondante Estelle was very kind and help me work on my French immersion.  She was such a sweet and helpful host.  I can’t wait to see her again!

Ce voyage a été très Intéressant et amusant. Mes deux correspondants sont très gentils.  Aussi les familles (à Saint Martin et à Duruy) sont fascinantes.  J’adore Paris et la France!  Au revoir.  --- Margaret!