Author: Courtney Bettin

I am beginning my fifth week of studying abroad in the south of France. I made an error in the previous article I wrote. That was the beginning of my third week! So far, I am basically having the time of my life. Sometimes the language barrier can really make me angry, because I want to speak to everyone so badly, but sometimes it’s impossible. As I begin my fifth week, I see such an improvement on understanding the teachers and people when they talk. I understand way more than I can talk.

What I enjoy most is speaking with my mother. The reason why I love speaking with her, is even though she speaks great English, she refuses to speak to me in English. Only French. It’s perfect! I have a good friend at school who speaks fantastic English, and she wants to talk to me in English, but I really want to hear French! We made a deal that she would speak English, and I would respond in French. I still would prefer if she spoke French, but it’s pretty fun both ways. One of my four brothers, the one who is my age, speaks great English as well. This also can make me want to speak English, but he reminds me time after time to speak French!

I am so in love with my family. We watch a lot of TV, and my mother demands that it is so good for my French. And I believe her! Also, when we watch TV we have subtitles, but only in French. It’s perfect. Next weekend, my mom and I are going to the movie theater. I’m really excited.

At school, I have attended all my classes and chosen the ones that will be good credits for when I arrive back home in February. I have a great schedule, although since I live in a tiny village far away from where my school is, I have to wake up at 6 if I start school at 8. When I go to bus stop in the morning, there are still stars out! I love my school so much, and I love the school system here. My history teacher is hilarious and loves what he’s doing, which makes it fun for the class.

The previous weekend, I went shopping with my mother and we bought gifts for my sister’s 18^th birthday! It’s on Friday! I bought her a black dress, French perfume, a Nimes specialty (a sweet cracker you dip into coffee, tea, hot chocolate, milk, etc), and a little pillow stuffed with lavender with a sewn “C” on it, for Charlotte. I can’t wait to send it, cause I know she’s going to love it so much!! My mom helped me pick out everything and the Nimes specialty was her idea, which was perfect!

Every weekend, I have done something fun with my friends or my family. We go to the Mediterranean Sea often, and it is so amazing. I’ve gone to concerts, which I really recommend everyone to do, especially if you like music, because it’s a way to have fun with your friends and you can sit at a café. It’s so great. I’ve been sick actually two times, and I missed a few classes, but it’s not obligatory that I do the homework, since I don’t understand everything and I missed the lesson.

Advice:

1. Speak with your teachers! Make sure you talk to your teachers about homework, things you understand, things you don’t understand, etc. Make sure you update them on your state with the language. It will help them understand what homework you should do and how they should speak to you, etc.
2. Do something that scares you everyday! I swear, I live by this rule. It gets your further, wherever you are. With the family, at school, alone asking about the bus, etc! It makes you feel better about yourself and you get to practice your French sometimes.
3. Go shopping, go to a concert, go OUT! Wherever you live, go outside! Be with your friends or not. Either way, it’s a great culture immersion for you.
4. Continue your hobbies! While abroad, if you have any hobbies you would like to continue, ask your host parents! I am currently taking 2 ballet classes and 2 jazz classes per week. It’s a great way to meet new people and to expand your horizons with your hobby!

This is the beginning of my fifth week in France, and everything is going smoothly. Of course there were some problems, like getting a cell phone, finding a ballet class, exchanging money, etc. Everything I have ever needed has been fixed so quickly and with ease!

Today was my first day of school at the school in Nimes. Just like at the other school, it was very busy, but easily I found my classrooms. All of my teachers are very enthusiastic in what they do and are easy to talk to. They are excited to teach me, since I am their only exchange student!

In America, I go to a very relaxed, private and progressive school, and I love it! It’s a really great environment for me and it makes learning fun. In France, public schools are way better than private schools. I could tell the moment I walked onto campus. At both schools everyone helped me and tried to speak English, although I wanted them to speak French. I’m so thankful for everyone who put up with me, since I always have a million questions.

The first couple of classes were fine, although I was alone. At lunch, I asked to sit with some girls and they were really nice. I was really quiet though. After lunch, I thought I wasn’t going to make any friends, but I spoke way too soon. Right before the last period, while we were all waiting for our class to start, everyone started talking to me at once. I made friends immediately!

After school, I walked with a new friend to the bus stop. I was so thirsty, so we walked over to a café, got some water, coca-cola and gum, and then went back to the bus stop. For me, it was a very important moment, because I had never bought anything by myself! I was so proud, and my friend thought I was crazy. Also, I wasn’t that thirsty…honestly, I just wanted to buy something.

I took the bus home, a twenty-minute bus ride, but I got off one stop early. This stop is in the middle of the small town near my house. I often take walks here. I’ve walked past the boulangerie/bakery so many times, but it’s always been closed! It was open!! I walked in, asked for a chocolate croissant, in perfect French, gave the woman exact change, and walked out of the store. I was so happy.

I literally couldn’t stop smiling on the walk home. I had had the perfect day. Tonight, a bunch of people from the school friended me on Facebook, and I even got some of their numbers. Tomorrow we have plans to meet at the front gate and go to Espagnol together! I can’t wait. This is just the beginning of my crazy adventure.

Advice for high school students studying abroad:

1. Ask, ask ask! At lunch, or during a free period, ask if you can sit with someone. Eating alone is never ever fun. Sitting with someone, you can maybe meet a new friend, or just practice your French. No matter what, you will gain something good.
2. Don’t be shy with teachers! The teachers are there to help you, so don’t feel scared to ask about anything. They want to tell you everything more than you know it. After each class, ask the teacher what kind of notebook you will need, what book you have to buy, what utensils you might need, etc. You don’t want to be behind!
3. Universal music! If you can, bring your iPod to school. So far, every single group of girls I’ve talked to have asked me about what type of music I like. Bring your iPod, so you can show them. Also, look up the name of the genre of music you like, because when I tried to explain “Alternative” and “Indie”, no one understood!
4. Keep a journal! This may seem a little crazy, but it can really help you. When you read through packets or just hear a teacher say a word you don’t know, write it down in a journal and after school, look up the meaning! It’s so helpful and you can learn so much!