Week One. Whew.

^photo from the bus tour of Paris during the AFS orientation. Orientation probably deserves its own post, but isn't as interesting as the ACTUAL French stuff.


After my first week with my French family, I feel...very very tired. But happy!! A lot has happened this week and I feel like I'm already changing. First of all, school. School is a bit different in France, especially the length of the school day. This week I've gone almost every day from 8 in the morning until 5 in the afternoon. Oof. Combined with the stress of taking courses in a foreign language and the horrible food at the cantine, school has contributed a lot to my coming home every day ready for bed. That being said, school is also really fun for me. That might have to do with the fact that I won't have to take le Bac this summer. :P

Contrary to what I thought they would be like, the students were actually very friendly and welcoming. I had been warned by both my French teachers and AFS returnees that the French tended to be less welcoming than Americans in that they wouldn't be likely to come up to you and start a conversation, so I was very surprised when the secretary announced who I was before my first class, and by lunch I'd already had to turn down probably 3 or 4 invitations to eat with people. Another great thing about school is that we have a lot of breaks and if one of our teachers isn't there, we don't have that class. The first time that happened, I was a little bit hesitant, because not only did it seem too good to be true, but I also had no idea what to do with my free time. Fortunately, my classmates are very kind, and I have been invited to attend many classes just to have something to do, and ended up enjoying them. I'm frequently invited to English class (surprise) but I've also gone to rock climbing and art history.

At home, I've been enjoying my family very much. Two of my three host sisters are currently living at home, and they are beginning to become like real sisters. My host parents are also very kind, and seem to think I need to eat more. Well...I'm not likely to say no, am I? Dinners this week have included crepes, galette, and vegetable soup. Mmmm. There is also plenty of cheese and bread laying around at all times. In addition to good food, my host parents are interested in theater (which is probably why I'm taking five hours of theater a week) and they've had 3 rehearsals this week for a play they're putting on next Saturday. It's very fun to watch and it's helping me improve my French. It also stresses me out less than conversation because I'm not expected to reply.


AFS warned me about culture shock, and I didn't listen. I thought that learning about the French culture would prepare me for when I actually got here. Wrong. I'm probably a lot better off than someone who doesn't know a thing about French culture would be, but the first time someone gave me the traditional French greeting--a kiss on each cheek--I kinda freaked out. Since then, I've given countless bisous. It still freaks me out. However, I do understand that it's part of the culture, and I haven't been too awkward about it (although I still blush most of the time) and I wouldn't be surprised if, by the end of my six months, I'll actually be in the habit.

So, all in all, the week has been very stressful, but I can already tell that my French is improving (or my comprehension is, at the very least) and that the next 5 and a half months will be very fun and very interesting indeed.