Bonjour!
This weekend was very busy, and I apologize for posting a little later than usual! Friday night, I met my second family! I also met my third family, and the Brazilian's second family. All four families got together at my Rotary counselor's house. I finally got the chance to meet my second family. I will have four siblings, but two of them aren't at the house (all the time). I'm still going to live outside of Montélimar, but I'll be a little closer (even though the bus apparently takes the same amount of time...yay).
After the meeting I realized a few things. First of all, I'm switching families in less than two months. That means that I've already been here about three months. That's really crazy to think that three months have already flown by. Also, I don't want to have to come back to the States. I know I will have to, and that exchange doesn't last forever, but I wish it did! That family switch in less than two months also means that the next Rotary event with my district is in about 2 months. It seems so close, yet so far away. That's the thing about all this, I want everything to happen now, but on the other hand, I want it to last forever.
Saturday, I spent the night at the Rotary president's house in order to wake up at 5:45 AM on Sunday and volunteer at a Rotary event. I was not too happy about waking up early, but I got over it quickly. The event was packaging up breakfasts that were ordered in a fundraiser to help a Down Syndrome foundation. It was a giant assembly line of people making the breakfasts, with me at the end, running them over to their designated spots. It was really nice to be able to help out again. I think I'm going to be volunteering in two weeks as well!
Nothing else really happened on Sunday, except that I was sick. It wasn't not too bad, but I refused to stay home on Monday because of it. I need to see all my French friends as much as I can! They have been so supportive and are helping me so much with the whole "learning a new language" part. I couldn't ask for a better group of people correcting me every time I say something stupid. Which happens a lot, but oh well. It will all come with time... I hope.
Au revoir!
Amelia
Monday, November 18, 2013
Monday, November 11, 2013
Don't become French........
Bonjour!
Before I left, one of my classmates told me "Don't become French." When I asked him what he meant by that, his response was for me to not become rude, smoke all the time, and hate foreigners. I'm sorry, what? He actually believed all the terrible stereotypes that exist about French people. I have to say that these are NOT what I would turn into if I were to become French.
First of all, the French people are not rude. Well I mean, there will always be rude people in any culture, but the French as a whole have not been rude. While you can't casually talk to strangers here, when you do talk to people they respond politely (most of the time). The first day of school, the teacher told one of the students to sit next to me and help me. She could have chosen to ignore me the next day, but she didn't. Rather than abandon me when her job was finished, she helped me again. She is one of my best friends here to this day. Another example is in the recreation room, where the foosball is. You would think that people would be viciously insulting each other over the game if they were that rude. In reality, the only thing people do is swear and make light jokes about their friends. Also, French people compulsively feel the need to say hello to everyone that they know if they see them. If you don't say "bonjour" and do the cheek kissing or handshaking when you first see someone... well that just doesn't really happen, so I'm not sure.
As for the smoking.... It is true that a lot of people smoke here. Some of the people who smoke look as though they cannot be more than 10 years old. I was told that it is illegal to smoke in France if you are under 18, but no one really enforces that. There's a police station next to my high school, so if the "no smoking under 18" rule was enforced, there would not be smoking at my school. Anyway, in the group of girls in my class that I hang out with, no one smokes (that I know of). There are people in my class who smoke, but not a majority (I think... again, I'm not sure). Also, I don't think any of my teachers smoke. There are of course, teachers who smoke, but not everyone. My point is that the French do smoke more than I was used to, but just because I'm here doesn't mean that I will feel pressured into it. So don't worry about that. Coming to France will not turn you into a smoker unless you want to be turned into one. It's a choice.
Moving on to the idea that all French people hate foreigners. Completely false. The students in my high school have all been very accepting of foreigners. In the school, I think there are 6 exchange students total (2 Rotary, 3 AFS, and 1 CIE). As far as I know, none of us have been rejected. In fact, when people find out that I am American, they don't seem disgusted. They either don't really make a big deal out of it, or they flip out over New York City or LA (which is on the opposite side of the country). Maybe that's a bit of an exaggeration, but that's what it feels like. The high schoolers here may make a few little jokes, but they are never insulting, or at least, they don't try to be insulting.
The only thing that bothers me about how they treat me, is that people tend to start speaking English with me when they find out that I'm American. It happened this morning! My host dad was explaining the exchange and told his friend that I'm American, and his friend started speaking English with me. It's insulting. I have been here for over 2 months and people are still under the impression that I don't understand anything. Maybe they think that Americans wouldn't have bothered to learn the language before arriving for a YEAR LONG stay or are so egotistically inept that they can't be bothered to try and understand. No, I do not understand everything. Yes, it is difficult for me to be confident enough with my French to initiate conversation. I AM TRYING.
I can't help but wonder. Maybe if I was from some other country, like I don't know, Germany we'll say, and I told people that I spoke English very well, but was still learning French, what would they do? Would they start speaking English with me because I know it better or would they speak French because they know that I'm learning? Maybe I'm blowing this out of proportion, but it seems that being American implies that English is the one and only language that I will ever speak. I hope this is not the case. In the States, we start foreign language in high school. That isn't early enough. English may be the "international language" but that doesn't mean that people who originally speak English shouldn't learn other languages. Perhaps if I become super rich, super quick, I can become a Politician and pour my life into trying to change the system. For now, all I can do is deal with the fact that people will speak English with me if I don't tell them not to.
My level of comprehension has actually skyrocketed. I understand more than I can speak, but that's still progress. I understood an entire French class, an entire SVT (biology) class, and an entire math class. I took a test in SVT that was given verbally and I understood it. Two of the questions were a little confusing, but I think I got the gist of them. Now, I can't write profound essays in French, but I can do math and attempt biology labs successfully. I'm happy with where my French is at this point, even if I say I'm not. Also, my friends have started teaching me random words and quizzing me about them later, and they aren't afraid to correct me if I make a mistake. That isn't insulting. That is helpful. When I'm talking with people I don't really know, I'm afraid to make a mistake because they may not correct me, and I may go on thinking that I said it right. It's a weird system, I know. Hopefully it will work.
This was a lot longer than I expected it to be.... Au revoir!
Amelia
Before I left, one of my classmates told me "Don't become French." When I asked him what he meant by that, his response was for me to not become rude, smoke all the time, and hate foreigners. I'm sorry, what? He actually believed all the terrible stereotypes that exist about French people. I have to say that these are NOT what I would turn into if I were to become French.
First of all, the French people are not rude. Well I mean, there will always be rude people in any culture, but the French as a whole have not been rude. While you can't casually talk to strangers here, when you do talk to people they respond politely (most of the time). The first day of school, the teacher told one of the students to sit next to me and help me. She could have chosen to ignore me the next day, but she didn't. Rather than abandon me when her job was finished, she helped me again. She is one of my best friends here to this day. Another example is in the recreation room, where the foosball is. You would think that people would be viciously insulting each other over the game if they were that rude. In reality, the only thing people do is swear and make light jokes about their friends. Also, French people compulsively feel the need to say hello to everyone that they know if they see them. If you don't say "bonjour" and do the cheek kissing or handshaking when you first see someone... well that just doesn't really happen, so I'm not sure.
As for the smoking.... It is true that a lot of people smoke here. Some of the people who smoke look as though they cannot be more than 10 years old. I was told that it is illegal to smoke in France if you are under 18, but no one really enforces that. There's a police station next to my high school, so if the "no smoking under 18" rule was enforced, there would not be smoking at my school. Anyway, in the group of girls in my class that I hang out with, no one smokes (that I know of). There are people in my class who smoke, but not a majority (I think... again, I'm not sure). Also, I don't think any of my teachers smoke. There are of course, teachers who smoke, but not everyone. My point is that the French do smoke more than I was used to, but just because I'm here doesn't mean that I will feel pressured into it. So don't worry about that. Coming to France will not turn you into a smoker unless you want to be turned into one. It's a choice.
Moving on to the idea that all French people hate foreigners. Completely false. The students in my high school have all been very accepting of foreigners. In the school, I think there are 6 exchange students total (2 Rotary, 3 AFS, and 1 CIE). As far as I know, none of us have been rejected. In fact, when people find out that I am American, they don't seem disgusted. They either don't really make a big deal out of it, or they flip out over New York City or LA (which is on the opposite side of the country). Maybe that's a bit of an exaggeration, but that's what it feels like. The high schoolers here may make a few little jokes, but they are never insulting, or at least, they don't try to be insulting.
The only thing that bothers me about how they treat me, is that people tend to start speaking English with me when they find out that I'm American. It happened this morning! My host dad was explaining the exchange and told his friend that I'm American, and his friend started speaking English with me. It's insulting. I have been here for over 2 months and people are still under the impression that I don't understand anything. Maybe they think that Americans wouldn't have bothered to learn the language before arriving for a YEAR LONG stay or are so egotistically inept that they can't be bothered to try and understand. No, I do not understand everything. Yes, it is difficult for me to be confident enough with my French to initiate conversation. I AM TRYING.
I can't help but wonder. Maybe if I was from some other country, like I don't know, Germany we'll say, and I told people that I spoke English very well, but was still learning French, what would they do? Would they start speaking English with me because I know it better or would they speak French because they know that I'm learning? Maybe I'm blowing this out of proportion, but it seems that being American implies that English is the one and only language that I will ever speak. I hope this is not the case. In the States, we start foreign language in high school. That isn't early enough. English may be the "international language" but that doesn't mean that people who originally speak English shouldn't learn other languages. Perhaps if I become super rich, super quick, I can become a Politician and pour my life into trying to change the system. For now, all I can do is deal with the fact that people will speak English with me if I don't tell them not to.
My level of comprehension has actually skyrocketed. I understand more than I can speak, but that's still progress. I understood an entire French class, an entire SVT (biology) class, and an entire math class. I took a test in SVT that was given verbally and I understood it. Two of the questions were a little confusing, but I think I got the gist of them. Now, I can't write profound essays in French, but I can do math and attempt biology labs successfully. I'm happy with where my French is at this point, even if I say I'm not. Also, my friends have started teaching me random words and quizzing me about them later, and they aren't afraid to correct me if I make a mistake. That isn't insulting. That is helpful. When I'm talking with people I don't really know, I'm afraid to make a mistake because they may not correct me, and I may go on thinking that I said it right. It's a weird system, I know. Hopefully it will work.
This was a lot longer than I expected it to be.... Au revoir!
Amelia
Monday, November 4, 2013
Les Vacances de Toussaint (Fall Vacation)
Bonjour!
For the past two weeks, I was on vacation! Back in the States there isn't a fall vacation, but I didn't mind getting one... The first weekend was pretty normal. My host family and I didn't really do anything special. The first Tuesday, however, was wonderful! My host parents had to go to my host brother's school in Valence, so I got to see EXCHANGE STUDENTS! I saw people from Brazil, Mexico, Taiwan, and the USA! I had really been missing everyone in my district, so seeing them was a wonderful pick me up. We walked around the city and talked for about 4 hours. Hopefully, I can go back to Valence and see them again!
On Friday of the first week, my host mom, host siblings, and I went to Toulon for three days. We stayed with my host mom's parents. My host mom's family is very different from mine. It was a little more serious and formal than it would have been if I were with my grandmother. It seemed as though each person was trying to out-nice the other. I don't know exactly, but it gave off different vibes than I'm used to. The first day, we went to the beach and I saw the Mediterranean Sea for the first time. It was so beautiful. I wanted to stay with my feet slowly sinking in the sand as the tide came in, but sadly I could not. We ended up walking along the shore for a few hours. It wasn't exactly what I wanted to do, but it was still nice. I just wanted to stare at the water, but I couldn't do that while trying not to trip and fall. The next day we went to Sanary, a town by the Mediterranean Sea. We climbed the stairs of a building to the roof and had a wonderful view of the harbor. Next to the building, there was a fountain with games set up around it. After the games, we did some window shopping in the center of the town. The third day, we walked around Toulon some more and then my host mom and I left after lunch, leaving my host siblings in Toulon with their grandparents.
For the second week of vacation, my host parents went on a hike with their friends, so I stayed with my great aunt and then my (real) dad's cousin and his family in Montpellier. The first three days, I was with my great aunt in the center of Montpellier. Each day, we went for a walk in the city in the morning, had lunch at her apartment, took a nap, had tea, played scrabble, ate dinner, and then slept. The second day's trip to the city was actually very special for me. My grandparents met in Montpellier way back when. They fell in love through the French language (because my Swedish grandmother didn't let my American grandfather know that she spoke English...needless to say, she made him work for it). I got to see the park where they would take walks and I got to see city where they met. It was all very touching to see that part of my family's history. I guess that may be why I chose to take French in 9th grade, put France as my number one choice when I first applied to this exchange, and why I am so motivated to learn the language.
For the second half of the second week, I stayed with my dad's cousin and his wife and children. I had met them once before, about 4 years ago. I wasn't really able to get to know them back then, but now I know them pretty well I'd say. They have two little girls, and my dad's cousin has an older son from a previous marriage. I loved staying with them. They spoke only (well... mostly) French with me, and in that one week, I really opened up more when speaking. It has become easier for me to speak with more confidence. And contrary to popular belief, I appreciate it when people correct me. I'm not going to be offended! It's not like they're screwing up my language... Anyway, it was helpful. We walked around the suburb that they live in and went to the Zoo in Montpellier. I also helped make pizza. I like making pizza. But I don't like that the French compulsively put olives on their pizzas. It's weird, but apparently that's just how it is...
It was wonderful to get to know some relatives, but I still love Montélimar and living with a host family. Today was LA RENTRÉE. The day where you begin again after vacation. I missed my French friends and it was actually nice to have classes. I know that sounds really weird. Well, it is really weird, but I actually like school. I made some new friends today, I assumed that I had who I had at this point, but someone actually waited for me after class in order to talk to me. She also told me that I didn't have an accent. I guess that means I don't sound French, but I don't sound American. Maybe I just sound like an exchange student at this point. That's a good representation. I don't sound like I belong where I am, but at the same time I don't sound like I belong where I'm from. That works for me. I can forever be a nomad. Ok, maybe that's a little dramatic, but I like the sound of it.
Au revoir!
Amelia
PS: I'm sorry I haven't been updating my photo blog. It takes forever to upload, and I get impatient, so I've just stopped until I find some time to sit down and upload.
For the past two weeks, I was on vacation! Back in the States there isn't a fall vacation, but I didn't mind getting one... The first weekend was pretty normal. My host family and I didn't really do anything special. The first Tuesday, however, was wonderful! My host parents had to go to my host brother's school in Valence, so I got to see EXCHANGE STUDENTS! I saw people from Brazil, Mexico, Taiwan, and the USA! I had really been missing everyone in my district, so seeing them was a wonderful pick me up. We walked around the city and talked for about 4 hours. Hopefully, I can go back to Valence and see them again!
On Friday of the first week, my host mom, host siblings, and I went to Toulon for three days. We stayed with my host mom's parents. My host mom's family is very different from mine. It was a little more serious and formal than it would have been if I were with my grandmother. It seemed as though each person was trying to out-nice the other. I don't know exactly, but it gave off different vibes than I'm used to. The first day, we went to the beach and I saw the Mediterranean Sea for the first time. It was so beautiful. I wanted to stay with my feet slowly sinking in the sand as the tide came in, but sadly I could not. We ended up walking along the shore for a few hours. It wasn't exactly what I wanted to do, but it was still nice. I just wanted to stare at the water, but I couldn't do that while trying not to trip and fall. The next day we went to Sanary, a town by the Mediterranean Sea. We climbed the stairs of a building to the roof and had a wonderful view of the harbor. Next to the building, there was a fountain with games set up around it. After the games, we did some window shopping in the center of the town. The third day, we walked around Toulon some more and then my host mom and I left after lunch, leaving my host siblings in Toulon with their grandparents.
For the second week of vacation, my host parents went on a hike with their friends, so I stayed with my great aunt and then my (real) dad's cousin and his family in Montpellier. The first three days, I was with my great aunt in the center of Montpellier. Each day, we went for a walk in the city in the morning, had lunch at her apartment, took a nap, had tea, played scrabble, ate dinner, and then slept. The second day's trip to the city was actually very special for me. My grandparents met in Montpellier way back when. They fell in love through the French language (because my Swedish grandmother didn't let my American grandfather know that she spoke English...needless to say, she made him work for it). I got to see the park where they would take walks and I got to see city where they met. It was all very touching to see that part of my family's history. I guess that may be why I chose to take French in 9th grade, put France as my number one choice when I first applied to this exchange, and why I am so motivated to learn the language.
For the second half of the second week, I stayed with my dad's cousin and his wife and children. I had met them once before, about 4 years ago. I wasn't really able to get to know them back then, but now I know them pretty well I'd say. They have two little girls, and my dad's cousin has an older son from a previous marriage. I loved staying with them. They spoke only (well... mostly) French with me, and in that one week, I really opened up more when speaking. It has become easier for me to speak with more confidence. And contrary to popular belief, I appreciate it when people correct me. I'm not going to be offended! It's not like they're screwing up my language... Anyway, it was helpful. We walked around the suburb that they live in and went to the Zoo in Montpellier. I also helped make pizza. I like making pizza. But I don't like that the French compulsively put olives on their pizzas. It's weird, but apparently that's just how it is...
It was wonderful to get to know some relatives, but I still love Montélimar and living with a host family. Today was LA RENTRÉE. The day where you begin again after vacation. I missed my French friends and it was actually nice to have classes. I know that sounds really weird. Well, it is really weird, but I actually like school. I made some new friends today, I assumed that I had who I had at this point, but someone actually waited for me after class in order to talk to me. She also told me that I didn't have an accent. I guess that means I don't sound French, but I don't sound American. Maybe I just sound like an exchange student at this point. That's a good representation. I don't sound like I belong where I am, but at the same time I don't sound like I belong where I'm from. That works for me. I can forever be a nomad. Ok, maybe that's a little dramatic, but I like the sound of it.
Au revoir!
Amelia
PS: I'm sorry I haven't been updating my photo blog. It takes forever to upload, and I get impatient, so I've just stopped until I find some time to sit down and upload.
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