Living in halls of residence was the best decision I made
April 15, 2014
After having chosen that I wanted to spend my year abroad in Paris I then set about trying to decide where I wanted to live. There were a few options open to me, including living as a lodger in a family house, living by myself in the centre of the city or living in a …
The connections and friends I’ve made will endure and it is that which will keep the memory alive
Post written by Katharine Hughes. Reading over my previous entries for this blog, it’s hard to believe I was writing about my first impressions only six months ago. I’m now down to my last two weeks here in France and I can’t believe it’s nearly over. With the departure of our German assistant yesterday, I …
Forging new friendships
The end of my assistantship is rapidly approaching, and already I know I’m going to look back at my time in Brittany fondly. My ability to speak French has greatly improved, I’ve learnt countless new things, and perhaps most importantly, I’ve met many wonderful and interesting people, who I am lucky to have been in …
I didn’t feel as though I was leaving for ever
April 14, 2014
As I have just spent the last week waving goodbye with teary eyes and a snotty nose to the first 7 months of my year abroad, it seems natural to reflect on the relationships I have formed. Having been set up with a French family by my mentor teacher prior to my arrival, some might say …
My weird and wonderful French social life
Before arriving in France one of my main worries about moving abroad was making friends. I knew it would be hard in a small French town with few foreigners but this managed my expectations and allowed me to throw myself out there when I arrived. One of the first things I had to do when …
Erasmus. Friends. Smile. Sleepless nights. Connections.
April 13, 2014
For me Erasmus is a synonym of friends and connections. I am so glad I had the chance to go on Erasmus. I spent the first semester of my year abroad in Audencia, Nantes. It was fantastic. I met people from all around the world; from countries that I have only seen on a map. …
“I do not go back to England every night after the end of school, and come back to France the next morning!”
April 12, 2014
As I sit writing my penultimate blog entry, I am acutely aware than I have only nine more hours of teaching left at Jean Jaures primary school. Despite the fact that I have been teaching these small children for the best part of six months, I still have to remind at least two people a …
“It’ll be the best year of your life”. How the year abroad has turned me into a ‘Yes Man’
With my permanent departure from France just a week away, I have been feeling increasingly pensive lately. Reflecting on the life I have built here and how it has changed me over the last seven months leads me to all sorts of conclusions on what I have learned from the experience; be it what I …
A passport into French culture
April 11, 2014
Post written by Alice Noone, The links I have made during my time in France fall into three categories. The first being the people I have encountered. I have been fortunate enough to establish important friendships, particularly with two of my colocs: Céline and Nico. Initially it took time to warm to one another due …
The most important thing about spending time in any place is not the place itself; it’s the people
April 10, 2014
I am entering the final weeks of my teaching assistantship in North-eastern France, and while trying desperately to soak up every last opportunity to improve my French, travel around Europe and drink cheap wine, I am beginning to reflect on the things I will miss about living in this country. The most significant thing I …
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