La Diversité

½ French, ½ English; 1 comment per topic (50 words each)

Dans une société multiculturelle, qui doit s'adapter? Les immigrés ou les habitants? et Pourquoi?

America... not a fan

So after a beleageringly long flight from Paris to Atlanta, we had a four hour layover before a connecting flight to Columbia. Needless to say we were all exhausted, but we did have fun in the Atlanta airport. When I got home I couldn't find my key, so I had to break in through the back door, much like someone broke into my car over break. I had to deal with that immediately, so I was understandably stressed. Add to that two tests and a project and you will understand why I look pretty rough right now.

I really miss France already; I am annoyed to be back in America. I have been to France several times since I started college and everytime I have trouble leaving. In the future I would like to work in finance in Paris, so knowing that I can not live there for a number of years is difficult. I remember last summer sitting in Charles de Gaulle Airport after a month of studying abroad and almost two weeks of touring Paris, thinking about how depressing American life would be. After a while a stopped being so melodramatic, but I still think about Paris all of the time. Luckily, I know that I will be back next year during my study abroad in Madrid, but that is such a long time to wait. Hopefully I will get to go sooner.

Daniel

I'll Be Back...

I must say, I'm glad to be back in the US.  I really missed my friends and being able to talk to my family on the phone.  I missed my bed and my shower and keeping my clothes in a closet rather than a suitcase.  However, France hasn't seen the last of me.  I'll definitely be back.  I already told my parents that I want to return to Paris to study.  My dad, the realist that he is, said to get a job.  My mom told me that somehow, she'd make sure I got back there someday soon.  

Next time I'm in France, I think I want to go with a much smaller amount of people.  Don't get me wrong, I love our French class, and I really became friends with a lot of the American and French students, but I just can't handle the whole one big group thing.  I walk too fast, I wander too far, I enjoy doing too many things alone to always be with a group.  Plus, I'm not the best at managing time, so planned group meeting spots rarely work out for me. 

Still, this trip has given me some great memories.  I haven't had many chances to travel in the past, but I can definitely tell that it will (or already has) become one of my favorite things to do.  I feel like I've made some true friends and that I've learned some things that really matter.   One thing is for sure.  France, all of Europe, any foreign land... You'll be seeing me.  Someday.

Cori

Oh I love America!

First off I would like to thank Tegan for sharing her cold with all of us, that was very considerate;) I enjoyed my time in France and I hope to go back some day, but I sure am glad to be home in my own bed, with a hot shower, and clean clothes! Like everyone else, I'm sure this first week back is just going to be spent trying to recover and some how force myself through the days. It's a bit strange to not be in France anymore though, I find myself still thinking in French, and everyone knows for me, that's a big deal.
I think everyone had a great time, and I'm very jealous of all the freshman and sophmores who got this experience so early in their college careers, so they'll have the chance to go back and maybe spend a whole semester or even a year there. I hope all of you do take the opportunity to study abroad, either in France or somewhere else, even if it's only for the summer, I definitely regret not doing that, although I don't know if you'll listen to me, since I didn't listen to everyone who told me the same thing when I was an underclassman. I just have one last thing to say...GOD BLESS AMERICA and thank you for bringing me home!

Kathryn

Back in America :(

I wanna go back so badly!! Like ASAP!! I have to be honest, it was a little different than I thought that it would be, but great all the same. The places were cool, of course, but I loved the people we met while over there. I will always remember the frenchies!! Also I love how our class got so much closer over the course of the trip. Like before, class felt kinda cold and impersonal, but now that we know each other better it should be a lot cooler. I will miss the food, too. Well, actually, I've had my fill of croque monsieurs for now. But the patisseries...oh my god, I haven't weighed myself yet but I'm pretty sure I gained a little weight :(.

So now, I'm just trying to get through the rest of the week...it is pretty difficult considering the new cold I have and still am trying to catch up on sleep. And then the papers that are due...whatever, all the catching up is totally worth the experience I had in France. My keypal lives in Tours, so I'm thinking of going on the summer trip next year and maybe meeting up with him. And now I definiely know I'll be studying abroad there...hopefully for a whole year!! Okay, bedtime already...

Amy

France me manque!! (Caroline)

Basically, I really want to go back to France...when the exchange rate improves. I'm still trying to eat like french people, having cheese with my bread/baguette or crepes with nutella (perhaps even a waffle with nutella). And today, my clothing choice was a black shirt with tan pants - I'm even dressing like the French (no color). I regret the fact that I can't wear my new scarf due to the warm and lovely weather. It's amazing how just ten days can change your perspective so much!
And of course I miss the frenchies like crazy! I love them so much! Whoever said that French people were rude and inhospitable has never actually met a french person. We had so much fun together. I only regret that we didn't spend more time together due to the fact that they had classes. And I wish I could have spent more time with my actual keypal. But I did like my host, and her adorable though entirely too playful cat, Showie (not sure of spelling)!
The only thing that I could possibly complain about was the fact that the French have a bad habit of simply standing around. They just kind of loiter in one place talking until they are already ten minutes later and then decide to go. Don't get me wrong, the talking is nice but having lived in America all my life, I have a problem with being late. Plus, after having spent an entire day on my feet, I'd kind of like to sit down.
So I love France and can't wait to go back!

C'est la vie...

So... I'm back in the States. And right now, there's nothing that I'd like more than to go back to France. I'm such a wannabe Frenchy now - I'm eating Nutella and bread for breakfast, refusing to wear color, and ridiculously frustrated by the fact that it's warm and I can't wear cool jackets and scarves and such. Americans seem really loud and obnoxious to me, and I feel like our food is just disgusting. The fact that I can no longer order a glass of wine with my meal also seems strange. Alas, so goes the world.

On the plus side, having gone to France makes me think that maybe I actually was supposed to end up at USC. If I had chosen to transfer for this semester, I never would have met all the amazing people that I did, and I wouldn't have some really really good friends in France now that I know I can always go and visit if I want to. I would not have been able to experience any of the things that I did; from Passoa to Champagne to the Troyes Cathedral to clubbing in Paris to Montmartre and the Arc de Triomphe... So I'm glad that I ended up at USC after all.

And yet, I cannot wait to go back to France. I've decided that I definitely want to do the Tours program, and I'll probably end up spending an academic year somewhere in France for my study abroad. Heck, maybe I'll end up marrying a French man and raising my children there. I feel like, somehow, the US is really far behind France. Maybe it's just that all of Europe has had so much longer to get things figured out... but no matter what it is, French culture is just so much more appealing to me than whatever melange we have going on here.

But, we'll just have to see what happens. What will be, will be.

Ciao ciao! Bisous!
~Tegan

i really miss crepes. with nutella.

I've been back in the U.S. for only about twenty-four hours now (eighteen of which were spent furiously Facebooking...jeez we all take a lot of pictures!), and I am definitely ready to go back to France. On Monday, I was definitely ready to come home, stop living out of a suitcase, and chill out in a room that would be bigger than a walk-in closet. But I'm already over all of that, and ready to hop on another 8-hour-plus flight back across the Atlantic, to the land of delicious bread...and cheese...and pastries...

I think that the French way of life that we got to experience in Troyes was the best - Paris, while amazing, was kind of overwhelming (people-wise) in the way that big cities are. Troyes was definitely more of an up-close look at the way that regular French people (and not just the ballers that are Parisians) live their life. And, while everyone talks about French people being snobby, everyone that I encountered in stores and restaurants was awesomely helpful (especially in restaurants, where Cori and I both got really nervous trying to talk to the waiter). I always practiced the questions I had to ask people before I asked them, because I wanted to make sure that I didn't accidentally ask the way to the nearest chicken farm instead of what time the next bus comes, or something like that.

There are some things about French culture that I prefer our version of; for example, TIME. They are never on it. We always are. Also, I am puzzled over how to interpret the bells of their cathedral in Troyes (take the first set, multiply by three, divide by the chimes of the third set, add the number of minutes between the third and fourth set...).

It was definitely an amazing trip full of crazy adventures, and I would do it again in a heartbeat.

-Lydia

Listening to Renan Luce...

My host gave me lots of good variété française artist suggestions and listening to the French music helps me deal with my separation from France. I'm feeling sluggish and too warm. However, now I have a vast bank of memories that I can revisit any time of the day and smile and relive the moment. Like when I fell in the mud at UTT and subsequently spent 30 minutes in the bathroom cleaning myself off (I learned the word for mud that day-la boue). I laugh when I think about how even though we were practically half-conscious during the daytime due to lack of sufficient sleep, Lara and Malia cracked jokes nonetheless while Amy perfected her "Sous le pont Mirabeau" rap.

I'm pretty glad I chose to come to USC because if I hadn't then I never would have met all the people I did in France nor would I have visited Troyes at all. The city radiates the true France that is not as apparent in Paris, and it makes me happy that the French still preserve and adore their culture despite the changing world. It seems like they live in a dream. Well, the grass is always greener on the other side. What a fantastic trip!!!!!! peace out

----Katherine Lott

i went to france and all i got was a coxsachievirus infection...

So today was a pretty rough first day back- between being jet-lagged, realizing how far behind I am in classes, spending a few hours in the health center trying to get a medical explanation for my blisters/fatigue/fever, and trying to get things organized before driving home for Easter...
Even though all of us have a lot we could complain about, whether it's about how we'd rather not be in Columbia, or how annoying school is, or that all of us want to sleep all day, everyday for the rest of our lives, I am still in awe of how absolutely amazing France was and how lucky I was to have spent ten days there.
Given the chance, minus missing my friends, family, and my own bed, I would be in France right now, hands down even after having gotten some really outrageously random virus that only little kids are supposed to get (go figure eh?). I would give a lot of be walking through the Louvre right now, taking in the beauty and talent of each artist's pieces, sipping champagne with a group of friends in the country, trying to make sense of the cathedral's bell chimes in Troyes, sitting in a warm little café drinking chocolat viennois, or even being packed into the Paris metro that we all agree smells God AWFUL.
Sitting at my desk in Columbia, SC right now instead of all of those places just seems less special. Given I love the US and South Carolina for certain things (AMERRRICAAAAAA..... yeahhhh, here to save the daaaaayyyy) but the French have something going on. It's not exactly a coincidence that everyone loves France, though maybe not the French, but I have to say, on the whole, the French were pretty amazing too.
It's weird to think about missing France already, since we've been gone less then a day, but I do and I can't wait to go back there soon.

-Lara

Paris je t'aime!

So... I'm a little bit slow in sriting about this one, but I've been running all over Paris trying not to think about the fact that it could be years before I see my friends again.

Friday night we went to Club Duplex with Lip, Julien, Elodie, Maelle, and a couple of Maelle's friends from Paris. We got there at about 1 in the morning, so we all had to pay the cover charge - a hefty 20 euros per person. We then spent another 4 euros per person on coat checks. Oi VAY. That's almost 50 USD.

But, in all honesty, it was totally worth it. And no, that's not because I just went and got drunk for the whole night... we got one free drink with that cover charge, and that was DEFINITELY the end of my drinking - There's no way I'm paying 15 or 20 euros for drinks. The club itself was really really nice - three different dance floors - one with hip hop (none of the french people know the dance that goes along with Crank Dat... what?!?!?), one with techno, and one that just played a bunch of random stuff (and I'm talking truly random... I'm gettin' chills, they're multiplying, and I'm losing control, for the power you're supplying, it's electrifying!!!)

Anywho. Good music, awesome company, and a night that ended with the best Coke of my life at the only resto open 24/7 on the Champs Elysées... Quick.

~Tegan

La fin est proche...

I am not sure if that is correct grammar or not. I am too tired to look it up. Wow, Paris really takes it out of you; at the same time, once you go out you never want to stop and you force yourself to keep going so you can see as much as possible!! I got to go to the Musée D`Orsay today which was smaller than the Louvre but filled with Rodin sculptures as well as beautiful impressionist paintings by Degas, Monet, Manet, Cézanne, Van Gogh, and one of my favorites, Renoir. The paintings are so moving when you see them with your own eyes. Well, my trip to Paris is finished! I wish I could sum it up with some wise quote or something. Love ya France!

--Katherine Lott

last day...

So it is our last day in France...tear tear. The last two days in Paris have been so much fun; I really don't want to leave. Well, I do and I don't. I wont lie, I'm pretty exhausted. Especially after that walk home this morning in the rain sans umbrella. You see, the metro station at the Champs-Elysees was supposed to run until like 2 or 3, but we went at like 115 and it was closed. So we took the night bus (literally like 3 blocks away, where Sly decided it would be good to get off). And then the walk, during which we got a little lost, etc., but then finally made it back.

It has been a lot of fun in Paris, and I think three days was a pretty good amount of time to spend here. I freaking spent forever yesterday "shopping," which wore me out. I still have to get stupid souvenirs for people...hope they're not disappointed with an Eiffel Tower keychain!! 'Cuz those are about as cheap as it gets. I just hope I have time to do this last shopping. Oh yeah, and the postcards? I'll send them out when I get home, I'm not gonna worry about that.

Amy

girl where'd you get that body from?

So I do not really have the time to post a long blog because the concierge at the hotel is kind of strict about the public computer. The trip so far has been amazing and we are now partying it up in Paris. I must admit that I feel like I was just here, so I am not as excited about the Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe as the others, but it feels good to be back in Paris. I feel at home here, like I was perhaps born in the wrong city. Everything essential here is to my taste: I love the style, the pace, the metro, the cafés. The city has a sense of vibrance that I don't think you can find anywhere else in the world.

Yesterday we went to Montmatre and I got lost again in the Marais district, but knew the area well enough to get back to the hotel. Today we all went on the bateau-mouche boats that tour the Seine and followed it by shopping on Boulevard Haussman and the Champs-Elysées. I am going to meet up with the UTT kids now for dinner and a drink. I believe we will be going to the Louvre tomorrow, but they have to go back, so this is the last time we will see them. I will write when I get back to the US, but for now I want to enjoy the city.

Daniel

she got it from her mama

So, we have finally made it to Paris (yay!). The last couple of days in Troyes were awesome; we got to have lunch (read: champagne and hors d'oeuvres) with the governor of the region of which Troyes is the capital. Yea, we roll with the big dogs.

Today we hiked up the LARGE hill to the Sacre Coeur and looked over Paris. Even though I couldn't find the Eiffel Tower. I'm sure it's around here somewhere. Then we walked around down to the Moulin Rouge, and possibly saw Nicholas Thorel darting down into a Metro stop...We also spotted some porn shops (Supermarches d'Eroticisme), but didn't have time to go in.

The buildings here are sooooo gorgeous. I love all of the plants that people have on the balconies, and how the streets aren't cluttered with overhead stoplights, and the street signs are flat against the buildings. It's so different, and by that I mean AMAZING.

I've also discovered the French secret for staying skinny. Walk around hills all day. That should do it. Tonight - discotheque with our friends from Troyes. I'll report back after researching the French guys at the club...

<3 lydia

sights, sounds, smells

I think quite a few people were surprised that I have not been taking any pictures during this trip, since it seems like everyone has taken hundreds of photos and hours of videos day, night, and all the time in between. This is mostly due to the fact I dont own a camera (or an iPod and I dont have a TV in my dorm) and to the fact that I believe that if I cant remember a sight or event without a picture, it might not have actually been all that amazing. Experiencing Troyes and Paris in this manner so far has actually made memories of past trips to Europe (Austria, Hungary, Germany many times when I was younger) even stronger, as some of the sights, sounds, and even smells have stirred up my sense memory and makes this trip even more special.
Specifically going to art museums or climbing up to Sacre Coeur today reminded me so much of being in Austria when I was younger, but instead of having to rely on my parents for language, money, and guidance I have been able to choose my own paths in Troyes and Paris, doing what I want, when I want, alone trying to blend in with the French, or with the my classmates and French friends who feel like family now.
Being in France though does mean I miss certain things about home though (Hi Mommy, cant wait to see you a week from today) but I feel like every where I turn I see, smell, or taste something that reminds me of home. I agree with Cori, being in such a beautiful city makes it feel like home, since the city slicker in me misses the pure grandeur of city life. I absolutely love exploring Paris though, since its a completely new city for me to take in, and I feel like I could stay here forever and never actually be bored. I might get homesick then, but I know there will always be something reminding me of home and the people I love in Paris, or any city I suppose, whether its looking at the city line from Sacre Coeur and remembering being at the castles in Salzburg with my mom, seeing a city park in Paris and remembering afternoons in the park with my dad in Vienna, eating chocolate mousse in a cafe and remembering a time my best friend and I failed horribly trying to make the same dessert, or finding that lots of French women wear Chanel No. 5, my grandmothers favorite perfume. All of those sights, smells, and sounds bring my heart home, though my mind is wondering somewhere in the streets of Paris.

Sorry that was so long though...

Lara

Mon dieu je suis à Paris!!!

I was quite sad to leave Troyes and I hope no one caught me tearing up as we left on the train to Paris. Yet more delights are in store for us because we have arrived in the brilliant, grand city of Paris! The hotel is the perfect size and everyone had a chance to rest up before we go out tonight. This afternoon I got to visit Monmartre! We climbed the stairs and gazed out at the wonders of Paris. We then passed by the famous Moulin Rouge and a risqué boulevard!

I have already explored around the neighborhood where we are staying and I have found that there are so many more glories of France that I have yet to uncover. Hopefully tomorrow we can see the Musée D`Orsay and some picturesque gardens. I feel so lucky that I am travelling with a native French and also Daniel, who is quite familiar with this city. I`m off to find a good yet not too pricey French restaurant near Notre Dame!

Katherine

I`m in Paris!!!

I must say, carrying our bags through the metro and the train station wasn`t half as bad as I thought it would be. Although that could have been due to the fact that I carried Lara`s bags and she carried mine because I could barely lift them. Oh well...
Paris is amazing! I loved Troyes so much, but the students there said it gets really boring sometimes. I don`t think I would ever get bored in Paris. Besides the fact that I don`t exactly speak or understand the language fluently, I feel like I`m right at home here. All the buildings are just gorgeous and I love big cities. And plus, today it rained just for a few minutes. I feel like even if it had rained all day, though, I still would be having the time of my life. Things like the rain and the cold and all the walking we do don`t bother me at all. I just feel so lucky to be here! I wish all my friends and family were here to see the things I get to see. Today, I visited the Sacre Coeur and the Moulin Rouge and then just walked around a while. I`m exhausted right now, but it`s totally worth it and I can`t wait for the club tonight!
Can anybody guess what I`m going to be doing all day tomorrow... SHOPPING! All day I hope.

P.S. I`m seriously considering chopping off all my hair. Well atleast up to my shoulders. Any thoughts...

What's the deal with all the BOOZE?

Today was another busy, cold, and wet day here in Troyes. We went to visit the CRS, the national police of France, and it wasn't terribly interesting for me because I couldn't hear what the guide was saying most of the time, even if I could understand him. Last night we had a "BBQ" at UTT and we talked about how strange it was that they were able to have wine and beer at school, but then we went to the CRS and saw that they had a bar in the police station and quite a few police officers were drinking at 10 am! That was a bit disconcerting for me, that and the fact that they wanted to show us all the guns they have, but they kept all of them pointed at "les americains" the whole time!
After the CRS, we had a meeting with the man who is essentially the governor of the region, and surprise surprise more booze! They had champagne for us but the governor was drinking scotch, at noon, while at work. Today was the first day that we really got to eat lunch together outside of the UTT cafeteria, and I am surprised at what a good deal most meals are here. We all got a sandwich on a whole bagette, with a big dessert, and a drink for 4 euros!
Finally we went to the champagne cave, and by then everyone was already exhausted. We had a short tour of the "cave", but most people were so tired that it wasn't as interesting as we thought it'd be. The champagne was much better than the stuff they served us at noon and very reasonably priced, but most people didn't want to taste more than one or two types because we've just been around too much alcohol. I'd like to say that when we get back to the US no one will want to even smell alcohol, but I don't think that's true. I don't want my trip here to end, but I am very excited to get home, to my bed, clean clothes, hot showers, and the warm weather!

Kathryn

Another wonderful day in France (caroline)

Not much to say since the last entry. We had a blast today, shopping and rock climbing - Nils was like a squirrel and the teacher hung from the wall like a bat! We also had a cool time talking to new french students. One thing that is good to know for future trips - get euros well in advance b/c they have to be mailed or become comfortable withdrawing lots of cash from an ATM. All the banks close aroung noon for about a two hour lunch and that is usually the only time you will have for changing cash to euros.
Yesterday, We went on a tour of Lacoste and it was so loud we couldn't hear the tour guide. That and I'm sad we didn't get any free gifts. :( But we had fun the rest of the day, hanging out and stuff. Ahd then ze did the presentation and it went well enough. Note - I hate this keyboard!!! Where's the stupid apostrophe?!! - anyway...looking forward to Paris but will miss everyone terribly when I go home!

Le week-end

I'd just like to take this moment to say that I am ridiculously addicted to the internet. I haven't checked my facebook in like 2 days and I was freaking out.

Anyways, now that I'm done complaining... The Weekend. Saturday we went on a tour of Troyes, did a little shopping, and went to the fair, where we proceeded to spend 6 euros trying to win a stuffed bondage bear from one of those claw games. It was totally ridiculous. I also discovered a machine that dishes out hot cocoa and cappucinos - it drops down the cup and then fills it up for you. Pretty freaking sweet. Saturday night, Ali hosted a party at his house, which was really fun. We danced some techtonik (sp?) but there were some guys there that were really really good at it; I'm pretty sure they thought our style of dancing was completely ridiculous. Tant pis.

Sunday we slept in really really late, and then went to a musical performance at the cathedral. We had some chocolat viennois at a really nice local bar, and then went to Nils' friend's apartment for his birthday party. As Daniel would say; tot fab!!!

~Tegan

HEY, I AM TRYING TO POST MAN, CHILLLLL OUT

so i know enough people have talked about how hard it is to use french keyboards, but seriously for someone who types as fast as i do normally, having to constantly look at the keyboard is ridiculously annoying... but anyway, i cant actually complain about anything else because france has been so much fun. i mean dont get me wrong its freezing and i can almost never find my keypals house and when i can find it i cant unlock the door... but i am having so much fun and the people here are amazing.

one of the best stories yet is last night all of us (americans and french hosts alike) went to this boys house because it was Nils's birthday and we were all speaking in french to our hosts and their friends and they would reply to us in english. we hardly ever spoke english at all but when did i noticed that all of us were speaking english with french accents which was pretty random but awesome. ALSO it took me maybe four hours to find the actual toilet in my hosts house... random, story but pretty funny.

-LARA GRANTHAM

First Weekend in France

So Troyes is exactly what I thought it would be. Little cobblestone streets, little houses and buildings that are like 200 years old, little bread and chocolate shops everywhere, and little old ladies with berets walking their little dogs. You get the idea. I am absolutely in love with the city and to my delightful surprise, the shopping is not as ridiculously expensive as I thought it would be. The only things I don't like are the fact that any drink, including water, comes in a glass about the size of a shotglass, and every building is just as cold inside as the weather is outside. I have to wear tights underneath my sweatpants every night when I go to bed, but it's really not that bad because I've been too tired every night to change out of them anyways.
Everything we've done so far has been so fun. Despite the loop of techno music that never stops playing, the nights have probably been the best. I have been staying with Nils, and yesterday was his birthday, so his friend had a party at his house. Lets just say that by the end of the night, Nils had permanent marker all over himself and his shirt was nowhere to be found. But, it was definitely a lot of fun!! Everyone is so nice to us, but I feel really dumb because it's so hard for me to understand the French people. I feel like my speaking skills are really improving but not my listening skills. Oh well, Troyes is still awesome.
Cori

Lacoste Tour

We went on a tour of the Lacoste factory at around 10:00 this morning. Pretty much everybody was tired from Nils' birthday party last night. Personally I was exhausted because my mom called me at 2:30 last night to work out a bank transfer. I forgot the pin number to my Charles Schwab checking account so I have been operating without any money, but fortunetely I have another with Bank of America, but I digress. The tour was interesting, but the guide was far too into pricing systems and production methods. I am an accounting major, so naturally I found it interesting, but I am pretty sure everybody else was thinking about lunch.

There is a cyclone tropical (hurricane) outside maintenant, so I guess we will be playing on Facebook until we give out presentations tonight. I am going to talk about USC sports which I think is very fitting. It should be fun.

A la prochaine,

Daniel

So...yeah I hate the keyboards here!!! Its so freaking hard to write anything...ok so its been really good so far. My keypal is sometimes too nice, i think. I'll be like, "So, what do you want to do?" and he's always like "whatever you want." And Kathryn and I cooked a meal for some of them and were going to pay for everything but he tricked me and wrote a check before i could swipe the card. But I have a plan!!!!! However, there's a pretty good news... I have finally a new boyfriend ! I think my friends will be very jealous when I'll come back I'll tell them I have a french boyfriend !!!! (yeah, so he was watching me and wrote that last little bit).

So the parties here are pretty fun too, kinda hilarious actually. Like, last night it was Nils's 21st birthday and he decided he would tie his shirt up like a bikini top and try to sing and dance like Britney Spears. And Greg showed up last night as well, but surprisingly didn't flirt with every girl he saw. Actually, a little, but not too much. The Lacoste factory was actually kinda boring, I won't lie...sorta interesting, yeah but the dude was talking like 80 mph and really quietly, so whatever. We have like hours of free time now so were just facebooking and stuff. Yay for France!!! And for trying to teach them homedizzle and stuff like that...

Amy

Sans internet (caroline)

Okay, I've been in withdrawal due to the lack of internet, but more than that, I lack sleep! We got off the plane the first day/night and we immediately went to a chocolate factory! I would have enjoyed it better but I was soooo tired. But there was soo much chocolate - I think my lungs were coated in chocolate. You should see the huge gift bags we got! And I ate a piece that had a cherry inside, and it turned out to be alcoholic - it was interesting and kinda strong. But I got to take a ride in a forklift thing - it was fun!
I really like my host Marion. She's really nice and she doesn't speak much french so I can practice a lot. And she has a cat named Showie! For two night though I roomed with Mael - love her too - because Marion had to got visit her father. So far, the class has gone on an iteresting tour of Troyes and eaten at a really cool resturant called L'Odessyee. We had also a boring visit to the Lacoste factory but we made up for it with a birthday party for Nils!! So basically, I love france and the french and want to stay an extra month, or more!!!

Thoughts from Kathryn

We've all survived our first weekend in France, YAY! There are so many different things to get used to! Lydia commented on the tour of the chocolate factory, I think we all would have enjoyed it much more if we hadn't been so tired. I think we've all resigned ourselves to the fact that we're pretty much going to be exhausted for most of the trip, because there are so many things to do, and just staying warm is a task in itself.
The thing I've enjoyed the most so far is the comroderie, between the american students, us and our hosts, and just other french students. They all seem very interested in us, and even those of us who don't have the strongest French are able to communicate well with our hosts and other students who may speak very little english. We are all very similar despite the fact that we come from different cultures. It's hard to believe that our trip is almost half over already!

Un jour de méditation

This morning I had the opportunity to visit a contemporary church service hosted by an English professor named Miss Whitechurch. It was very similar to a contemporary service in America except we sang in French! After the service Mrs. Whitechurch had some of the group over to her house for lunch and I met two Hungarian students who are studying business at the school of commerce in Troyes. Perhaps I can return and study business here! I also met two Americans from Ohio who are teaching French in Paris and Remilly-sur-Seine and an English bloke who is studying here in Troyes. You wouldn't believe what we ate for lunch!!! It was a real French Sunday lunch--apératif (I tried the wonderful cider of the region), coq au vin with mashed potatoes, steamed carrots and cabbage, bread, red wine; we then had a plate of cheeses (chèvre, camembert, comté, bleu d'Angleterre, and then a dessert of clafoutis and then coffee and chocolates.

I ate so well and even though I ate a lot of food I never had the "gross I'm so full" feeling. After our 3 hr lunch we went to the cathedral of Troyes and listened to a meditative sermon and savored an organist's performance of 3 pieces. I'm enjoying France so much and I can't believe the people really live like this--they aren't chained to their computers, they eat so well, they are active in their city, and they have pride in their country. Municipal elections were today! super cool

--Katherine Lott

Chocolat + Fatigue = ?

So first of all, this is going to take a while because the keyboard is different: who knew? (it just took me like 30 seconds to find the question mark. the @ sign is tricky too; I had to enlist some assistance on that one). We are all very tired because nobody slept very much on the plane, although we did get some nice toothpaste (which Malia accidentally discarded for soap to brush her teeth with on accident this morning in the airport...yummy) and eyemasks. I spent the whole flight playing games on the individual TV's...and I am sure that the guy in front of me really appreciated the constant poking on the back of his seat while I tried to fight off alien invaders from my fishtank on the touchscreen (don't ask...the game was fun).

Today we all went to a choclate factory, which was (here come the puns, here come the puns...) "sweet" . The guy kept picking stuff off of the assembly line and handing it to us, and then eating some himself (the funny thing is, he was skinnier than me! ah, those tricky frenchies with their fat-burning genes...). We had to wear some pretty amazing outfits (in which I apparently looked like Squidward fro, Spongebob) which included lab coats; shoe covers, and straight-up cafeteria lady hairnets. Oh yeah. Afterwards, we got HUGE goody bags which I told Ali he has to help me eat. Yum. Well I have about had it with this keyboard, and I apologize if any semicolons pop up somewhere (it's in a really inconvienent place). You stay classy, San Diego.

-Lydia

We have arrived!!!

I am in the computer lab at UTT right now and it is almost noon. The group has broken up to get lunch with their hosts and we will meet up again at 2PM to visit the chocolat factory!!! Fortunately the plane ride went very smoothly and we are a bit tired but full of fresh croissants! Monsieur Thorel and Monsieur Legault were so welcoming and they promptly met the group after we waited in a stifling line at customs for about an hour. UTT's cafeteria is our base right now, and the building is so modern and environmentally friendly. We have a fantastic week ahead!

Katherine Lott and Amy Betenbaugh

Let's Get Outta Here!

So, there's pretty much nothing else running through my head right now except "OH MY GOD FRANCE". Which made it kind of difficult to finish my homework last night, and I'm anticipating will make it slightly harder to pack tonight.

There are so many things that I am excited to do - tour a chocolate factory (whoever came up with this idea is a genius, thank you), eat baguettes (the ones from Panera are good, but I'm expecting better in France), and try to speak French. I am a little nervous on that last one, because I feel like I am always missing that one word in a sentence that I need to say what I want to say. Oh well. Sign language (or flailing hands around to make an attempt at sign language) is international, right?

I'm so glad that we will get to see not only our keypals, but the people that visited us in January as well. We had so much fun with them, and I'm sure that they'll be able to show us the sights and sounds (and smells?!?) of Troyes.

After my classes today, I am in total, headbanging, full-steam-ahead France mode. Nothing can stop me. Except maybe having to pack my suitcase... :)

-Lydia

France in T Minus 1.5 Days

So the reality that we're leaving for France in less than two days really set in for me today while talking to one of my friends from home about spring break, as she said "WAIT. You're leaving THIS Thursday?! That's like... now." Although not really grammatically correct, she has a good point; our trip to France is no longer looming on the horizon, nor is it in a few weeks, it's THIS week. That excites me, yet scares me at the same time, as I have exponentially more clothes/random stuff in my dirty laundry bag then in my actual suitecase... Not really a good reality, since I feel like I have so much to do before I go. AHHHH, I might have a meltdown...
I'm more excited for France then anything, even my looming freakout about all the stuff I need to do before I go. It struck me earlier that I have been so excited about France for a long time, but I haven't really thought about the technical aspects of the trip. Like how the flight will go and how I will do getting by in a foreign country, even though I'll have classmates and keypals to rely on. I think it boils down to the fact that I haven't been across the Atlantic since 8th grade, nor have I even been overseas without my sister (tell her I'm a little sad about this and I won't bring you back anything from France), and I've never had to rely on my own foreign language skills, since I always had my mom or dad. I guess this is a big step for me, as an 'adult' and a French student, since I will have plenty of chances to develop my own skills and enjoy myself on this trip. I just hope I get to really enjoy France, French culture, and the people I'm around as much as I'll enjoy a vacation.
-Lara Grantham

Before the Trip to France

I am so excited for our trip to France! The only place outside the United States that I have ever visited was Mexico for like one day when I was on a cruise. I have always wanted to go to Europe. The first thing I am going to do when I get there: buy French fashion magazines. I read them (or at least look at the ads) in Barnes and Noble all the time, but they are almost $20 each to buy! Like Tegan, I think my imagination might be leading me wrong about Paris... The women aren't all six foot tall supermodels, are they? I won't run into Karl Lagerfeld at a cafe, will I? Even if I don't, I highly doubt I will be disappointed. I'm having a small (and by small I mean sanity threatening) case of cabin (or dorm) fever. I'm packed, I'm ready, let's get out of here!
-Cori

Seulement deux jours!

Two days left and I have not started to pack yet. This week is very busy as I will soon find out whether I have been accepted to the International Business school and if I have a huge internship. Needless to say, it will either be a great week or terrible week. Hopefully the latter.

At any rate, I have France to distract me if I do receive bad news, which I am very excited about. I have not been to Paris since the summer and I must say that I miss it. After from my time in Troyes I will get to return to my favorite city, the city of lights, love, and fashion, to visit my friends Cora, Austin, and Aaron. I know that it will take me years to truly know Paris like a Parisian, so I will try to see new sights this time, perhaps the Orangerie and Pere Lachaise.

As for Troyes, I have no idea of what to expect. I have never been to the Champagne region, so my idea of what the city is like is based purely on my memories of life in Tours. From what I hear from Samantha, I will be presently surprised. I really can't wait!

A la prochaine,

Daniel

Apprehensions before the trip

I am fairly apprehensive about our trip, although I'm sure it will be a good experience. Since most of us don't know our hosts, we're not quite sure what to expect in terms of how well we'll be able to communicate and how we'll get along with our hosts. Travelling in such a large group is also makes me a bit nervous, I always worry that we'll lose someone. I am looking forward to really getting immersed in the culture, and I think this will be a good opportunity for all the younger students to get their feet wet in the world of study-abroad. I wish I would have had the opportunity to spend a semester or a summer abroad, so I'm very glad to have this opportunity in my final semester.

I am all set for the trip, Mr. Buttons and I are actually quite excited, despite our apprehension. I do not think one can ever be completely prepqred for such a trip, but I am going to try to be as prepared as possible. Here's to diving in head first!

posted by Kathryn

Just two papers and one test to go...

Coucou!
I can't wait to leave for France... This is going to be a fabulous trip. I plan on eating lots of cheese, baguettes, and Nutella while I'm there... and don't let me forget to stock up on that Nutella (because I'm pretty sure it's about 5 times cheaper in France than in the US!) I'm going to have to bring an extra bag in my suitcase, because I'm planning on going shopping... classy French boots are calling my name, I can hear it! (And going to the Lacoste factory? What? I don't even wear Lacoste... but that seems like an opportunity too good to miss out on!) I also have to find something absolutely amazing for my mom to make up for the fact that I'm missing her birthday for this trip. Oops!

I can't wait to see everyone again - strange how much I miss people that I was only around for ten days. I'm a little concerned that I'll be disappointed by Paris - even though I know that it's a huge modern city (and really dirty, from what I hear) I'm still hoping for (expecting?) cute little streets with cute little cafes and lots of precious French people drinking wine and wearing berets. En fait, I'm expecting it to be quaint, which is stupid. Must disabuse myself of that notion. Ah, well, either way, I'm just glad to finally be going to France... I've been waiting for this trip for, oh, 18 years :-P
Bisous,
~Tegan

avant le voyage - Caroline

I'm really excited about the trip (obviously!). This will be the farthest I have ever been from home, and my first time overseas! I will be taking so many pictures and bringing back so many souvenirs (place your orders people). Not to mention the amazing food. I am especially excited to meet the French students. The ones i have already met were really cool and I can't wait to make more friends. The way the universities work will also be interesting to see since they are so very different from those in the US. And of course there's the trip to Paris! If only I could afford the clothing!
The only thing that really worries me is my ability (or lack thereof) to speak French. I'm really slow and my vocabulary is severely limited, so I'm worried I will get lost or into a tough situation and will be unable to save myself. But here's hoping all goes well! And I hope my teachers give me a break when I return - can you say jet lag?

Spring Break at Home-James

Unfortunately, I'm not actually going on this trip. I wish I was, but unfortunately I'm tied down to a debate tournament. All the discussion before going has really made me depressed since I'm going to be all alone and bored out of my mind during spring break :-) To think that I have to stay home and do homework when I could be traveling in France...

That said, I am glad that everyone else is going on the trip. I'm excited for them, and I hope that they have a marvelous time learning French. Of course, when they get back their French will all be better than mine and I'll be jealous...

I look forwards to being able to plug into whatever excitement I'll get from reading the blog and looking at pictures. The thing I will miss most is going to the chocolate factory. I went to one in Switzerland three years ago, and I know without a doubt that there's nothing cooler in the world than a chocolate factory.

So good luck on the trip, have a blast and safe travels! Update the blog whenever you can, so that I'll feel at least slightly in the loop.

--James

Maybe I'll catch a glimpse of Sarkozy...

I'm thrilled to be returning to France, which represents everything a country should be in my opinion. The movie Ratatouille that recently played in the USC campus theatre especially intensified my appetite for real French food and wine and especially le pain (which I could live off of). Yes, it really is that scrumptious.
Returning to Paris will be illuminating and breathtaking at the same time, and hopefully I'll be able to see the beautiful Jardins de Luxembourg and Notre Dame Cathedral once more. Maybe M. Chabra will take us to new places that will steal our hearts, like the Sacre Coeur Cathedral in Montmartre. And visiting the medieval town of Troyes shall delight me, I'm sure. Seeing how French university students operate enthralls me, and hearing and speaking French 24/7 will be heavenly.
I have a load of laundry to do and a suitcase to fill before I step aboard the plane to Atlanta then glorious Europe, and, unfortunately, I am only packing enough for a 10 day stay. Bon voyage!!!

---Katherine Lott

Avant

So...it just hit me, we're leaving on Thursday. Before I was like, oooohh this'll be fun, but now reality is just setting in. I mean, France? The farthest I've traveled is to Boston. I'm a little anxious...What to expect? I have no idea...I'm really excited, anyway. I have so much more to do before we leave!! More shopping, laundry, etc. And I have this problem of never being able to pack lightly enough. But I'm working on it (and I got these really cool "Space Bags"). And only two pairs of shoes to bring...decisions, decisions. And I have to figure out who I should get souvenirs for, and what I should get, etc.

I know this trip will be amazing, no matter what happens. I just hope I don't act too touristy and take the time to enjoy what we're doing instead of obsessing over photos. Also hope that I take enough photos. I just hope I don't get lost!! If I do, I guess I'll be able to deal with it. I mean as long as I don't get kidnapped by some French mafia men or anything, it's all good. I'm most excited about Paris, of course. Shopping!!!!! Oh, and the chocolate factory in Troyes. Wish us luck!

-Amy