F.3 Paris, you will always be remembered!

"Wow" is what comes to mind after living in Paris for 5 1/2 weeks.  What an amazing experience!  Looking back on my time in Paris, I really can't believe that the trip is over.  It absolutely flew by for me.  I feel that I grew so much while away from home.  I had never truly been on my own before.  Yes, I've lived  in a dorm room and an apartment away from home, but I've always had roommates and friends living with me!  This was the first time I was able to truly see how I would survive on my own, and what better way to test your survival skills than living in a foreign country for over a month! (haha)  I had to trust my instincts, and I feel that I was very aware of my surroundings all the time.  I thought that I was a very independent young woman before going over to Paris.  Now, I feel that I have become even more independent and I feel fully capable of living on my own no matter where I live!

I experienced so many cultural differences in Paris.  I love the fact that the french go to the boulangerie every day and pick up a fresh baguette or go to the store for fresh ingredients for the days meals.  Who knew that it is ok to not refrigerate your eggs? That was one difference I learned the first day I moved in with my host family.  I bought a bunch of eggs and my host mother told me that they never refrigerate their eggs!  Another cultural difference that I find really cool is the whole dining experience in Paris.  The french eat much later than we do in the US, and meals are truly a social time filled with good conversation, good friends, and a good time.  I love that the french never seem to be in a rush for anything.  They are laid back and like I said in my cultural video project, "they have mastered the art of doing nothing and turning it into something."  I really tried to embrace this concept of doing nothing and  I feel that I accomplished this by sitting in cafes along St. Michel or near the Notre Dame and just watching people walk by while sipping a drink and talking with friends! C'est tres francais non?

I feel that my french definitely improved while living abroad.  I now know so many key phrases that the french use on a daily basis!  I think my favorite is, "Ce n'est pas grave!"  I learned that its ok not to speak in perfectly constructed sentences.  That was my problem before living in Paris.  I used to try and perfectly plan out my sentences in my head before speaking.  I thought that was the only way to get my message across, and if I didn't know how to say something I used to just not say anything at all! Now, I find that as long as I get the general point across of what I'm trying to say, it is ok.  The french actually understood what I was trying to say!  I learned short cuts for saying things and as long as I include some key words of what I'm tyring to say, then most people will understand what I'm talking about.  I learned the simpler, the better.  I was always trying to make things too hard and complicated.  I am excited to get back to my last french class in Clemson and use the skills I've learned over the summer in class.

Looking back, I wouldn't change a thing about my time in Paris.  Of course there were some trials and obstacles along the way, but you have to take the good with the bad and realize that its all an experience.  I would even say that my hospital visit for my spider bite was one of the most interesting experiences I had in Paris! (haha) I feel that I am a different person than the girl who arrived in Paris 7 1/2 weeks ago.  I feel like I've grown as an individual and I can handle any situation that life throws my way.  Merci Paris!! I will never forget you! : )

F.2 L'Aeroport Charles De Gaulle

Je suis dans Les Etats-Unis!  J'ai arrive dans Les Etats-Unis hier soir.  Apres mon voyage a L'Ecosse, J'ai parti pour L'aeroport Charles De Gaulle pour mon vol final a les etats-unis!  Quelle experience!!! J'ai rate mon vol a les etats-unis parce que les bagage de l'avion d'Edimbourg etait tres tard!! J'ai attendu pour mon bagage pour 45 min! Il y avait beaucoup de gens francais qui m'ont aide avec mes questions sur le bagage et les terminals differents en general.  Finalement,  mon bagage a arrive et  J'ai couru a travers l'aeroport et les terminals.  A le terminal pour U.S Airways, la femme a dit que J'etait retard et J'ai besoin de prendre un autre vol.  Elle a dit aussi que tous les avions pour U.S Airways pour le jour etait fini.  Elle a dit que J'ai besoin de rester en Paris jusqu'a lundi pour le prochain avion.  J'ai ete tres contrarie.  J'ai demande si il y avait un autre avion avec un autre compagnie aérienne.  Elle etait tres mechant et Elle a dit simplement, "Non, desole."  Je n'ai pas abandonne!! J'ai parle avec une femme de Continental Airways.  J'ai trouve un solution!  Apres J'ai discute pour une heure avec la femme de Continental Airways, J'ai eu un nouveau vol a les etats-unis!  Merci beaucoup pour les gens sympa!  Mon nouveau vol a parti a cinq heures.  Donc, J'etait dans L'aeroport Charles de Gaulle pour 8 heures.  Mais, ce n'est pas grave.  J'ai utilise mon ordinateur, J'ai ecoute la musique, et J'ai mange la nourriture francais pour la derniere fois!  Aussi, J'ai achete les choses differents dans les magasins.  Alors, J'ai eu un experience interessant dans l'aeroport Charles de Gaulle, mais c'est un autre experenice francais!  

Une Supplémentaire Journal

Il y a beaucoup des différences entre la culture de France et la culture des États-Unis.

Une différence est que il y a beaucoup des grands peoples dans les États-Unis. En France, tout le monde est maigres. Sur le métro, il y a beaucoup des gens et pas de beaucoup d'espace, donc il est très bondé.

Dans les États-Unis, les gens sont très décontracté. J’habite à la plage, donc tout le monde est en un maillot de bain. À Paris, tout le monde est habillé. J’aime les chaussures!

Une autre difference est que, dans les États-Unis, tout le monde s’arrêtent sur l’escalier. En France, le gauche est pour les gens qui marché et le droit est pour les gens qui marché et le droit est pour les gens qui ne sont pas mouvement.

Dans les États-Unis et France, il y a un beaucoup des voitures, mais en France, je ne faisais pas conduite. Ici, j’ai une voiture et une vélo. En France, il n’y a pas une beaucoup des gens avec des voitures. Tout le monde marchent partout.

Il est bon à retourner, mais des différences sont grand différences. Les cultures sont très different, mais les difference est que est bon entre les pays.

F.3: My time (well spent) in Paris

I have more than thoroughly enjoyed my time spent in Paris, France. Although I don’t think I can properly put my feelings into words, I will try my best to do so…

For starters, I could not have been put with a better host mother, both for her general kindness and for my French knowledge level. She spoke fluent English but would say things in French and translate the bigger words she knew I wasn’t going to quite understand in English once she finished her sentences. This not only helped me with vocabulary, but it helped me with my long sentence comprehension I think. She was the nicest woman possible, which also gave me a good impression of French people overall. I don’t generally try to generalize people based off one person, but while living with her and getting such a good, positive vibe from her, it led me to get a good, positive vibe off other French people. I can’t remember ever having a bad experience with a French person who was rude or mean to me.

I enjoyed my time so much in France, from my host family, to my Sorbonne professor who was a very lovely, sweet woman, to the new friends I’ve made. Not only did I have good experiences with French people, I had amazing interactions with our Clemson group. I feel as though I have made some good, new friends for life.

What I am NOT enjoying is being back in the United States…Yes, I admit, I missed home a little, but right now I miss Paris more. Even though my last week in France was spent in a rather un-luxurious hotel room with my fiancé, we still enjoyed it so very much. And it IS nice to be back in a normal sized, comfortable bed, but I’d sleep on a hard, tiny bed any day of the week if it meant I could be in Paris for a little while longer.

les Repas français - Alex and Keller Anne's Cultural Video Project

embedded by SC

F.3 Return to "Normalcy"

After I arrived back to the United States, everything was so different. The adjustment has been a little weird. I know everything is normal, and what life should be, but it is so different than the life I have been living for the past month and a half. When I first got on the airplane, the first thing I noticed was how loud everyone was. The stewardesses were shouting across the aisle. Also, everyone was much more talkative. Americans are so willing to talk to one another and make fast friends. The French are a little more respectful of your personal life than to ask you a bunch of questions about your journey. Either that or they just don’t care. I’m not sure which one it is, but I think I prefer the French style. Don’t get me wrong, I love conversation, but sometimes airplane chats can get a little intrusive—just because you’re sitting next to me for 9 hours doesn’t mean you need to know my life story.

When I arrived in Dallas, everyone was still loud. It was really uncomfortable. Also, I feel conditioned to speak in French to everyone. Every time I asked someone a question, I spoke in French and quickly had to change to English. It was so weird.

Back in South Carolina, I started driving again. One has to drive to get anywhere! One of my first trips was to Publix with my mom. WOAH. Supermarkets are SO LARGE! I have been so overwhelmed with the selection of food. Every time I go to a grocery store the feeling comes back. There is no need for such a huge selection of food. I think there were like 60 Yoplait light raspberries in the grocery store. Seriously?! That many?? Are people going to buy that much before it expires?

I don’t know if I am ready to switch back to American life. I am looking for a job in France when I finish school. One woman in my Sorbonne class is helping me find a family to be an au pair for! I am very ready to be back in Paris.

Journal F.3: Looking Back on Paris

I had an amazing time in Paris. It's really an experience I will never forget. I had a great time. Of course there were little obstacles along the way. Like the whole incident where we had to run to the metro with all our luggage (I'm sure we can all look back and laugh at that). And when my original host mom ditched me (well not really, just forgot about me). But everything worked out for the better.

I took a lot from this experience. I met amazing people and also learned how to communicate. Not just in french, but in English as well. Before the trip, I found it hard communicate what I wanted, even in my native language. I'm a little shy, and sometimes antisocial! In Paris, I had to speak in a language that was foreign to me. Being required to speak in french has made it easier for me to communicate what I want in English!

It was hard for me to adjust to speaking French. It was a little intimidating at first, especially because a lot of people in the group had a strong back round in French and I did not. But I got over that intimidation and tried very hard. Though with my host Mom I did speak English, she always made an effort to speak to me in French.

This experience was fun, but I don't think I would go abroad in another country again. I was so homesick. I really really want to come here with my mom for a week or two and show her Paris. Most of my family have never been to Europe, let alone left the country before. I know my mom would really enjoy coming here and it was like she was living through me when I showed her the photos. I am so grateful I had the opportunity to experience such a different culture from my own. I hope one day I can see more of Europe and experience it with my family!

F.3: I'll Always Have Paris

As we read before visiting Paris, Hemingway claims that “Paris is a moveable feast,” meaning that Paris means something different to everyone, and that their nostalgia of Paris allows them to, in a sense, revisit Paris over the course of their lives.

Now that I am back in the United States, I understand what Hemingway means. Having been there and done so much, Paris isn’t just a city to me anymore. Its the experience of a lifetime.

My study abroad experience in Paris was not only a wonderful educational experience, but it was also an incredible cultural and personal experience as well.

In terms of an educational experience, I really enjoyed seeing how the French educational system operated firsthand. I absolutely adored my Sarbonne professor! I also really liked her method of teaching. Its difficult to pinpoint exact differences between her notes and the ones I take at home, but the outline form and little tricks she used just made the material so much easier to understand. She also gave us a lot of work sheets to supplement the workbook for extra practice. This repetition is something that we don’t do in the states, and I found that it helped to increase my understanding of the material.

I felt that my French-speaking skills also expectedly improved while in Paris, although not to the extent that I had initially expected. I found that in walking around the city, I did not get to converse with as many native Parisians as I’d hoped. I tried to speak French with Mme DeLuze, my host mother, but she would always answer in English. I could have tried to speak French with the other members of our group, but I felt like there were so many things I wanted to say that I didn’t know how to in French. When I did try to use my French, I felt like I could never get it out just right to do my thoughts justice. It was a frustrating emotion. Also, I knew there were members in the group who were much better speakers than I was, so I was naturally self-conscious of my French-speaking skills.  I lived with another exchange student, and I found that I was able to speak with her in French because she helped me when I stumbled—not corrected me. I found that knowing that she genuinely wanted to help made a huge difference in my confidence. In hindsight, I know that I should have tried to speak more French. Elizabeth Emmanuel’s improvement is inspiring, so hopefully I will be able to improve my French back at Clemson!

Living in Paris for five weeks was undoubtedly one of the best ways to get to know the French culture. I tried so many new foods, drinks, and desserts, and I felt that I was able to get a true taste of France. Even though I didn’t eat in very many cafés, I found that buying my own groceries proved to be an excellent cultural experience as well because I got to see and interact with natives in a tourist-free environment. While I was in transit to the airport, I had at least four gentlemen and one woman help me with my suitcases. I’ve never been so grateful in my life! Simple interactions with the Parisians made my experience that much more meaningful because I felt like we interacted as fellow human beings rather than as a French individual and an American individual.

I loved getting to know my way around Paris. I found that walking was, by far, the best way learn the city because I was able to explore quaint little side streets. I quickly saw that Paris is a semi-‘walkable’ city; I could walk almost anywhere in the city in under two hours. I now feel like I better understand the layout of the city and that walking somewhere is often faster than taking the metro!

In spending so much time alone wandering Paris, I grew to be more self-reliant and more self-independent. I had to learn to trust my own judgment and decisions. At first, I was very leery about walking by myself at night, but then I learned that I just had to be careful of my things of my surroundings. It is always good to be cautious, but I felt that Paris is a far safer city than any American counterpart.

I quickly found a sense of community in the Bastille area, and after running a 10K around the perimeter of the 11^th arrondissement, I felt like I had a Parisian home away from home. This trip to Paris has made me more excited to see and share the world, and I can’t wait to get the opportunity to travel overseas again, especially to England, Ireland, and the Mediterranean. It would also be good exposure to visit an Eastern European country!

Looking back at Paris, I understand that it not the city itself that makes it so special, but what you do while you are there and what you, in turn, take away from the experience. I am very pleased with how I have grown over the course of the program. I find that I have matured and that I have become more globally-minded. As each year passes, the globe gets smaller. Technology allows us to interact with other countries like never before, and it is important for us to see the world and learn about other cultures. This, in turn, allows us to learn how other people think, leading to more successful and positive interactions—political and otherwise—between countries. Then, not only are we citizens of one country, but citizens of the world.

F.3. Looking Back

Well! I already want to go back. Although I was in the 357 French class, I am going to write this journal in English because I want to be sure I am expressing all I have to say clearly and intelligently. I have taken my time in posting this blog because I wanted to be sure I included everything I could. I probably still won’t; there is so much to talk about!

The experience in general was a once-in-a-lifetime occurrence. If I had gone by myself, and I had seriously considered it, I would have missed out. All the excursions, especially those with Christina, were brilliant and I learned so much! She is fantastic. I want a mini Christina to keep in my pocket. Not in a weird way. She’s just so smart! If anything changes in the program next year, please keep her! The first weekend, as well, was one of my favorite parts of the trip. It was whirlwind, but I loved visiting places I had not yet seen.

That was one thing I was worried about when signing up for this trip. I wanted the group experience, the Clemson credit, and the facility of finding a place to live and acceptance to the Sorbonne; HOWEVER, I was nervous that, since I had already been to France, I would be repeating a lot of site seeing and experiences. First of all, unless you’ve lived in France or have been once a year since birth, re-seeing sites is not a hardship. Seeing sites for a second or third time is fantastic! I caught so many details and more historical information this time around and I think that was because I wasn’t so awed by the grandeur and could really pay attention to the history and intricacy of the building (or whatever it was.)

The experience as a whole is something I will remember for the rest of my life, but there are two specific things I am taking away from it: a majorly increased level of French communication, and two best friends.

My aunt is fluent in French and we have several friends of the family who live in my hometown for several months of the year and France for the rest of the year. When I came home, I understood almost everything they said as they were casually conversing, which is a major feat! My oral comprehension was my weak point, but after training myself to really listen I think my oral comprehension is equivalent to my levels of reading comprehension and speaking. I definitely have the Sorbonne class to thank for this; we did several oral comprehension activities per week, and our final test had an oral comprehension section so I really tried to prepare for that.

For me, culture shock – both with the language and the city lifestyle – wasn’t a problem. I have traveled before, to France several times and to Azerbaijan where I spent several weeks teaching English. I LOVE being in places where the culture is different because I love learning about others. I am currently in the process of applying for a Fulbright grant to return to Azerbaijan to teach English and to learn Azeri, the local language. I love learning languages, and this program taught me that I can do it and that immersion is key. You really can’t learn a language completely without being immersed in it. If I am granted this Fulbright, I will be living in Azerbaijan from June 7, 2012-June 22, 2013. I should be reeeally good at Azeri by the time I leave! Hopefully.

In my opinion, this trip prepared me for going to Azerbaijan, which may sound weird to most. The longest international excursion I have ever taken was 3 weeks, long enough to immerse myself in the culture, buy some awesome presents for my family, and go home. Around that 2-3 week point here, in Paris, I started to feel homesick. By the fourth week I was pretty much back to normal, but it was still a shock to me to feel homesick. I go to school 11 hours away from home and I had traveled before; before I left I thought there was no way I would feel homesick, but I did and now I know how to deal with it. This trip was amazing and I would recommend it to anyone looking to improve their French.

Les Stéréotypes - La vidéo culturelle de Jevelle et Laura

Katie & Michael - Vidéo culturelle

F.3 Paris, je t'aime

When I think back to my time in Paris, one of the last things I feel is regretfulness. Life is too short to not do your best and live without regrets. I had a great time in Paris. I really did. I'm the kind of person who sometimes over thinks things or worries too much, so there is always a little part of me that feels like I could have done things differently or better. That little part of me may be right but considering how well things went and how great a time I had, it doesn't bother me much at all. It was my first time traveling on my own, so there is a lot that I learned for the next time I travel. There is quite a lot that I will take from the entire experience. I now want to seriously pursue learning French. Before the trip I had only flirted with the idea. I really want to become fluent now. I want to live and work in France, hopefully Paris. Again, I only flirted with the idea of moving to France or something along those lines, but now I see it has a much higher priority. Finding a French woman is somewhere on that list as well. I feel as though I put forth a respectable effort towards getting immersed in the culture and language. I tried very hard to meet the locals and do as the Parisians do. I paid good attention in my Sorbonne class and always had lots of questions for Madame Clay.

It's difficult to look back on the trip and sort of summarize it all into a journal entry. It definitely went better than I expected. I had a wonderful time. I really improved my French and got to experience the culture. I made some good friends along the way as well. I won't forget this trip.

E.3: La Cathédrale de Notre Dame

Hier matin, je suis allée à un mass grégorian à la cathédrale Notre Dame. Il était très bon parce que tou l'mass a été chanté. Il y avait encens aussi!

Après l'office, je suis allée au sommet du clocher! C'était marveilleux! J'ai tout vu! Les gargouilles ont étés très drôle, mais les autres statues étaient très bonnes, aussi. Mon gargouille favori resemblait Dumbledore de Harry Potter! J'ai bu l'école et le jardin l'à côte de la Sarbonne, aussi.

Après Notre Dame, il faisait très chaud, donc j'ai achété de la glacé de Bertillon! C'est super! J'avais fruits de la pasion, myrtille, et sorbert framboise. J'ai mangé mon Bertillon et marchait à côté e la Seine. Il était très tranquille. J'ai regardé des magasins aussi parce que je vais retourner aux États-Unis vendredi. :(

Hier soir, j'ai suis allée un autre mass à Notre Dame avec un cardinal. Il était très vieux, mais il était un bon mass aussi.

J'ai aimé Notre Dame beaucoup. Elle est très vieille aussi, mais elle est très historique. J'aime l'architecture et les très beau fenênetres vitroux. Le sommet de la cathédrale était fantastique. J'ai aimé le mieux que la Tour Eiffel. La Tour Eiffes est trop touristique et trop bondé, mais la vue est jolie. La vue de Notre Dame était super parce qu'elle est près du choses familières. Hier a été une bonne journée! :)

E.2: Le Musée d'Orsay

Aujourd'hui, nous sommes allés au Musée d'Orsay. J'étais très excité pour le musée parce que beaucoup des gens l'a aimé. Je voulais un photo avec l'écriteau de le musée parce que il est comme mon nom!

Mais quand j'ai été au musée, j'ai été décu. J'ai aimé l'architecture du musée, mais, je n'ai pas aimé l'organisation du musée. L'architecture du musée a été très magnifique. J'ai aimé la grand horlogue! Après le promenade, je suis allé les toilettes, et j'ai tès perdu! Je ne suis pas revenue, et je ne l'ai vu pas sortie. Il étais très frustrant.

Je pense que ma tête et fatigué. Les musées sont très instructif, mais il est difficile à tout comprendre.

J'aime voir oeuversde Monet et les oeuvers de Gogh, hier. J'ai voudrai prendre les potos, mais ils n'ont été pas ok avec le musée. :( Les photos m'aident apprécié l'art.

Je pense que j'ai aimé les autres musées plus que le musée d'Orsay parce que j'étais fatigué des musées. 

Il y a une semaine jusqu'à nous partons pour les États-Unis! Il est difficile croire que nous temps à Paris est finir!

F.2: Le Dernier Jour

Mon dernier jour à Paris a été intéressant. J'ai eu trois heures de sommeil, donc j'étais très fatigue. Quand je me suis réveillé, j'ai eu trop de choses et j'ai besoin d'acheté une autre sac. J'ai acheté deux billets pour le métro à Republique, où il y avait un magasin de bagage. J'ai achété une autre valise for quinze euros!

Après le magasin de bagage, j'ai eu à ma pâtisserie favori à acheter des baguettes et des tartes au chocolât pour le voyage. J'ai retournais à ma maison à finir mes valises.

J'ai mangé une salade et parti pour Châtelet pour le RER B à CDG. J'ai eu deux valises, mon cartable, et mon sac! Il y avait un beaucoup de gens qu'aidez moi avec mes bagages!

J'ai arrivé à l'aéroport et réarrangé mes bagages. J'ai eu mon billet pour le aéroplane et parti pour les États-Unis! Le vol étais très longue! Neuf heures! J'ai vu trois films et prendre un petit somme, mais, j'ai eu un beaucoup de temps. La cuisine de l'aéroplane était bon. J'ai mangé du poulet avec un baguette, chevre, et une tarte de citron.

Après le matin de stressant et un longue vol, j'étais très fatigue émotionallement. Il étais un jour triste, mais je pense qu'il sera bon étre à ma maison.