Greenheart Travel

Tag: french

Take 5: Discussing Travel Playlists and French Coffee with Ian Taraszewski

Time to Take 5 with Ian Taraszewski, who went to High School in France! Take 5 is a series where Greenheart Travel alumni answer quirky questions about their time abroad. Let’s dive in and learn Ian’s take on cafés, French music, and what it means to be present while abroad.

1. Best way to get involved?

It can seem difficult, especially in a completely new, completely foreign country, to get involved and make wherever you are feel more like home. But honestly, for me, the answer was quite simple and it was just being present. If there aren’t any clubs or teams that seem to present themselves initially, the best way to integrate the quickest is to just put yourself out there as much as you can. For me, that meant spending as little time in my room or by myself as possible, especially in the first few weeks. The less English I spoke, the more French I learned every single day. I did my best to talk about my day with my host family at dinner and introduce myself to the people in my class at school.

2. Biggest language miscommunication?

My biggest language miscommunication was extremely awkward but walking away from it I just had to laugh because I knew that it was bound to happen at some point (and continue happening very frequently). It was right around my second week in France and I was in the downtown area after meeting with some friends but had to use the bathroom before taking the bus home. I walked into a cafe and wanted to ask the lady if there were bathrooms here. However in French when asking such a question people say ‘toilettes’ which means toilet. The phrase for bathroom ‘salle de bain’ typically refers to the shower or bath because in France the toilet is often separate from the rest of the bathroom. So, of course, I asked the lady working at the cafe ‘Est-ce que tu as une salle de bain’ (notice I also used the informal tu when I should’ve most definitely used the formal vous). After getting the weirdest look and an awkward “no”, I walked away having learned immediately the dangers of direct translation.

3. Favorite French song?

My favorite French song is always changing and I try to stay on top of new French music that comes out even though I’m back home. But ‘Tout Va Bien’ by Orelsan was a song that came out in France right around when I got there and stayed popular and playing on the radios throughout my study abroad, so whenever I hear it, it just brings back a lot of good memories. It’s a catchy song which is what first drew me to download it on my phone, but it was one that kind of grew with me in that the first time I heard it I couldn’t understand any of it, but by the end of my semester I could basically sing it by heart. It has kind of a deep meaning to it and was produced by Stromae who tends to have symbolic meanings in his songs about society that you don’t notice at first which I think is kind of cool.

4. French aspect you wish US Americans would adopt?

A French aspect that I wish US Americans would adopt is cafe culture in general. In France, it’s seen as a weird ‘faut pas’ to get coffee to go and eat or drink while on the way to other places. I think this ties into the French culture in general in that they take their time to enjoy moments. So when people go to a cafe together, it’s customary to sit at the cafe and enjoy an espresso with friends and talk rather than going to the cafe to study and be alone or take one to go. I also wish that the US would have espresso more often as opposed to a huge cup of coffee with milk and sugar. A standard coffee in France is a little cup with one shot of espresso in it, but people can still take a long time to sit and drink it which I think helps to appreciate it more.

5. When was the first time you felt like you made a friend?

The first time I feel like I made a friend was during my first week of school in France. My school followed a trimester system so arriving in January meant that I kind of just started in the middle of everything and classes were full in session. On the first day, after the principle had brought me in, introduced me and everyone realized I couldn’t speak that well. A boy lead me to his locker and let me put my books there. He also made sure there was a spot for me at his lunch table with some other people in my class. As I was first learning conversational French and until I could do things on my own, he would help me with homework and notes in class. It was really cool to feel like I had someone on my side from the getgo who made sure I felt welcome and not overwhelmed. Eventually, when I was able to speak more fluently our friendship became even better.

How amazing would it be to go to High School in France!? Click the link below for more information about Ian’s program.

October 16, 2018
Final School Exams and a Weekend in Paris

by Ella Russell, Greenheart Travel High School Student in France

On Thursday, we had a basketball exam in EPS (PE), which means that it is the last class of basketball. Every several weeks, EPS focuses on a different sport. During my first EPS class everyone was doing the gymnastics exam, but from then until this Thursday, we have been practicing basketball.

This exam was the first time I actually got a grade, and it was 11/20. I wasn’t the worst, but still I definitely could have done better. I am pretty sure that the next course is running, done later in the year for the better weather.

There was another protest on Thursday (over the same increased work issue), and there is talk of another one next Thursday. While the protests peter out at around noon, allowing us to go to our afternoon classes, a fair number of the students (mostly boys) use the protest as an excuse to skip the whole day.

The literature teacher called them out on it, saying that if there was a strike next week, she expected everyone to come to her class in the afternoon, unless they were actually planning on participating in the strike. I wonder if they will listen.

Also on Thursday, I performed a violin piece in music class, and gave short explanation of the history of the piece. In French. I was worried about how my piece would go, as I had not had much time to practice. I was the most nervous about my explanation, and if people would understand me, as I often rush during presentations. As it happened, I did not even attempt to glance at the audience. I focused entirely on my paper, reading as clearly as I could. The fact that it was in French actually made me slow down, as it wasn’t as easy to read.

I think I did pretty well. The teacher gave me good feedback, and later, a classmate told me that my presentation was good, and that he could understand it.

This was my last weekend in France so I made it count!

On Saturday evening, I went to a laser tag game with some friends from school and others who I did not know. It was exactly like how it is in the U.S., you run around trying to catch people with the laser guns. Although my team and I were terrible, it was fun!

On Sunday, I went into Paris with my uncle. For those of you reading this who don’t know, my uncle (and his family) lived in Paris until a few years ago, but they are going to be moving back, so my uncle still comes here occasionally to see how their (rented out) apartment is doing.

First we visited some friends of the family for lunch. We had lamb, and I learned that they practiced Lent, and had not eaten meat for the previous forty days and then we walked to Shakespeare and Company, a famous English bookstore, visiting souvenir shops on the way.

I was worried that a lot of the shops would be closed for Easter, but at least for the shops we visited, this wasn’t the case. I bet it had something to do with all the tourism.

April 2, 2016
Final Countdown in France and a Trip to Euro Disney

by Ella Russell, Greenheart Travel high school student in France

I decided take the three months study abroad option, so now I only have three weeks left! (Counting this week). I can hardly believe it; it seems like the trip passed by so quickly.

Because of this, while I have been erratic with my posting beforehand, only writing for certain special occasions, I have decided now I am going to write a blog for every week until I leave, either writing it near the end of the specified week, or early the next one (as I am doing now).

It was fun to return to school, and I was pleased to find that I could understand a lot more of the teachers lectures. When I listen to these lectures, or French speakers in general, I understand a few words here and there, but for stretches of comprehension, my mind has to be completely blank, which is surprisingly difficult.

The BAC Blanc was for Literature and Science. The science one would be handed out the next week, but on Thursday, my classmates received their grades for literature. They were alright, although no one got a twenty, the maximum score. On a side note, twenty appears to be the maximum for everything, from tests, to homework, to overall grades. There are no percentages or letters.

Also in Literature, we started looking at medieval French writing, which put me on a more even playing field with my classmates, as it was hard for them to understand it as well.

I continued playing volleyball, something I started around a week before the vacation. It is every Wednesday and Friday, although because of sickness, vacation, or the gym being closed, I have never actually gone to volleyball on Friday. The program allows three practices before requiring a medical release form and payment. This was my last free practice.

Another little difference between France and the US: milk is held in containers like these.

I finished off the week with a visit to Euro Disney! It is actually rather close to where I am staying, about a thirty minute drive. My host family had a pass that lowered the admission price to 35 euros, instead of the 90 euros, and it extended to whoever came with them, so I invited two friends from school. My host dad dropped us off. He and Nahel would go to the rides that three year olds could go on, and then leave early. My friends had visited Euro Disney several times before, so I basically let them lead me around.

Despite living in Florida, this was my first Disney theme park, and I must say it was rather nice. There were more rides geared towards children (and therefore less exciting), but there were also several exciting ones, like the Space Mountain, and the Hollywood Tower, which basically went up and sharply dropped several times. Also, there was a Star Wars ride, although it was just a simulation.

But enough about that. From what I understand, the rides are pretty much exactly the same as what you would find in any other Disney park. The difference was that everything was translated into both French and English. There would be subtitles, or on the loudspeaker it would just repeat in English, but sometimes, the writing or the voice would say something in French, and then say something different in English, but in a way that the speakers of either languages would understand what was going on. It’s fun being able to understand more than one language, especially in cases like this.

In a gift shop, there were mini glass sculptures of animals and Disney figures, and behind the counter, a woman was actually glass blowing! I bought some as a souvenir.

We were going to see the fireworks, but Alexei had to go home early, and we went with him. Oh well. I wasn’t too disappointed.

March 23, 2016
The Countryside of Lyon and Learning About My French Host Family

by Ella Russell, Greenheart Travel High School student in France

I had misunderstood the vacation length. It is actually around three weeks for those in the high school premier class in France, because they have to do the Bac Blanc, which seems slightly like the PSAT, but more important. So I stayed with my host uncle (Rachid) and his family for a week, and for the week after that, I rejoined my host family at the house of my host mom’s sister’s family (still in Lyon, but in the city).

Looking back on it now, during the stay with Rachid, although we didn’t do a great amount of sightseeing (which is what I was hoping for), it was still fun. A lot of time was spent watching TV with my host cousins, but as I usually watch TV for a specific movie (usually on Netflix), I discovered new movies that I had never heard of before.

It was interesting to see that while there are the news shows of course, and several French series, French made films and series are heavily contested on TV by the American and English shows, especially compared to America, where it is far more of an effort to find popular French series or films.

Also, throughout my visit, we went to the grandmother’s house (on the side of the mother), and I met more cousins and aunts. I already knew that the family was Muslim, but during one visit, I saw the grandparents praying. I had seen praying in Islam before from videos, but it was the first time I had seen that in person.

Sunday, was the day when we did the sightseeing. The parents took me to see the Fouviere Basilica, apparently one of the most famous landmarks of Lyon. It was very grandiose. There were many statues throughout the Basilica, the walls were decorated with stained glass and tapestries, and above the chandeliers even the ceiling had several decorations.

There was also what I am pretty sure was holy water, which I dipped my hand into. I took several photos. After the Basilica, we visited roman ruins of an arena nearby, which looked like a popular place for picnics.

We also went to the Cinema, a trampoline park, basically the same as it is in the US, and nearby the house, there is a park that we went to several times when the kids had stayed at home for the day and the mother wanted them to get more sunshine.

As for the family themselves, I had a better relationship with the parents, than the kids. Rachid was the most curious about English, often asking me the English translations of words or phrases in French, and I managed to have a rather lengthy debate with Djamila (my host aunt) about religion vs atheism. I was initially worried that she would take offense, but she was glad that I was curious.

March 8, 2016
Greetings from Strasbourg, France!

by Nia Karriem, Greenheart Travel Teach in a Homestay participant in France

Greetings from Strasbourg, France! A beautiful city located in the Alsace region, also home of the European Parliament.

I decided I wanted 2016 to be about traveling and rediscovering my passion for languages and cultures. I believe that Teaching English in a Homestay was the perfect way to achieve this goal. So here I am, in Strasbourg participating in this great program.

Although my scheduled language lessons are meant for the three youngest kids, my host parents also like to have mini English lessons during our family meals. I’ve also had the opportunity to brush up on my French skills.

In our free time, my family and I enjoy going to museums, visiting 800 year old castles, having “Tea Time,” and watching movies after dinner (I’ve officially seen ALL of the X-Men movies, even Deadpool!) We even made a trip to Paris, and took a long 10 minute journey to Kehl, Germany.

This blog wouldn’t be complete if I didn’t talk about the FOOD! Oh, how I wish I could post a picture of everything I’ve tried, instead I’ll show you the top four items I’ve had out here!

Pictured from left to right in the photo below is Crème Brûlée Tarte, homemade crepes (say “salut” to my host mom!). Tarte Flambée (an Alsatian dish with crème fraiche, cheese, and caramelized onions. Talk about scrumptious.) Last but not least, Choucroute, a meat lover’s dream of Alsatian sausages, ham, bacon, sauerkraut, and potatoes.

My favorite part of this program has definitely been the blending our two cultures. It’s been great realizing how much we have in common, as well as learning about and embracing each other’s differences. It still baffles me that everyone comes home from school and work, and most businesses close in the middle of the day just to have lunch together as a family. I wouldn’t mind doing that every day in America!

In a nutshell, I am having an amazing time, and I am very happy that I decided to take advantage of this opportunity. I wouldn’t change my experience for anything in the world!

February 16, 2016
Getting Familiar with My New School and Schedule in France

by Ella Russell, Greenheart Travel high school student in France

One of the first things I noticed about studying abroad in a French school was the difference in scheduling. On my first day of school, I had one class, and that was it. After a surprisingly good cafeteria lunch, I went home. Every day, you have different classes beginning at different times, and generally lasting for either one or two hours. Also, the first class starts at varying times each day, so sometimes I can sleep in, and sometimes I have to wake up fairly early.

Another difference is that there are often free periods in the schedule, and you can potentially have more. Since there are no substitutes, when teachers have absent days, you just have another free period. I experienced that on Thursday, giving me five hours of free time. However, probably because of these free periods, there is school on Saturday as well. I didn’t mind; it was only during the morning, but all the teachers that day assured me that the students did not like Saturday school.

Looking at this school from google maps, I thought the school seemed fairly ordinary looking, but when I went inside, I saw that the structure of the school was actually rather interesting. There is a large atrium in the center of the main building of the school. Three floors of classes are on either side of it, connected by bridges, as in this photo.

The lower room numbers are on one side, and the higher ones on the other side, so I found it easy to figure out where my classes were.

On Tuesday, after going to school to choose my subjects, my host mom took me to a nearby bookstore to get a French-English dictionary. The windows were filled with books, but also several paintings and decorative masks. It is definitely a place I want to visit again, if just to admire the decorations. There are plenty of other places to visit as well.

Yesterday, I went to the cinema with my host father to watch Star Wars in French. I couldn’t understand all the French, but it helped that I had already seen the movie. It was interesting to see that just like in the U.S., several advertisements and trailers appeared beforehand.

January 21, 2016
First Day in France: Celebrating New Traditions and Adventures

by Ella Russell, Greenheart Travel high school student in France

After an overnight flight of around 8 hours, I finally made it to Paris! My host family couldn’t pick me up so I was picked up by the Greenheart Travel coordinator when I arrived. As we headed out into the suburbs where I would be staying during my study abroad program in France, I noticed that the house, and the other houses in the neighborhood were all tall, narrow, and old looking, an interesting contrast from the buildings I often see in the US.

My host mom Linda greeted me when I arrived and showed me around the house. My three year old host brother Nahel was playing with toy cars, my host dad was fixing up my room, and Alycia, my baby sister, was sleeping upstairs.

After I took a nap, sleeping longer than intended, my host family and I went to the house next door and had a galette de rois with the neighbors. From what I understand, the galette de rois is a cake that is traditionally eaten on the sixth of January, a Christian holiday celebrating Jesus being presented to the three magi; Melchior, Caspar, and Balthazar, who came from Asia, Africa, and Europe respectively to visit him.

The youngest children (in this case Nahel and one of the neighbor’s sons) went under the table and called out the names of the guests, who would then be served a slice of the cake. A small ceramic figurine called a feve was baked inside the cake, and whoever got it was the “queen or king” of the child who went under the table.

After the party, we had a small dinner, and after watching French television, I went to bed. On Monday I will be able to sleep in and I will be on my own for the day, on Tuesday we will go to the school to choose my schedule, and on Wednesday, I will start school. I can’t wait!

January 12, 2016