Naomi in France

Date/ Entry Title	Entry
4/12/2005	Bonjour everyone! I'm so sorry that I have not updated in awhile, but I've been so busy!!! From trips to Check Republic, Poland, Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg and Northern and Southern France to a week-end in Paris with all the students in France, I've been having an amazing time! I'm also proud to say that an article entitled "Une Américane à Metz" was published about me in the regional newspaper. I am also keeping up with my African dancing and drumming classes and give babysitting in English. Finally, I am about to embark on the Rotary bus trip which is a two week tour of Western Europe. I cannot express how appreciative I am for all the wonderful oppertunities I am provided with. bulletinNoel2K4.pdf
2/24/2005 10:33 AM	Photos with Exchange Students
Wednesday, September 01, 2004 7:50 AM	Bonjour everyone! I have recently arrived in the historic and picturesque country of France. I have only been here for a couple days, yet I have so much to share with you. First of all, I’ll tell you about where I am residing. I am staying in the north-eastern part of France near the German border (Lorraine region). My host family lives in a small town (only 440 people!) called Vry in the country side . It is very scenic and the inhabitants are very friendly. Vry is considered to be one of the many suburbs of Metz (pronounced Mes) - it’s about 25 minutes (20 km) away. In between Vry and Metz, one can see many fields of corn, wheat and sunflowers. Metz, (which has a population of 120,000) is one of the two main cities in the region (the other is Nancy). Metz and has many small towns ranging from 100-1,000+ people that surround it. Metz has numerous stores, cafés and restaurants. It also boasts a breathtaking cathedral and some interesting museums. Because the region of Alsace and Lorraine used to be part of Germany, there is a considerable amount of German influence in the architecture, some foods, and even the language! My Host Family - The more time I spend with my host family, the more I feel like I’m becoming a member of the family. This is great because it is possible that might reside with them the entire year and not change host families! My host family consists of: my “mother” Isabelle, my “father” Patrick (Isabelle’s boyfriend), my 17 year-old “sister” Léa (who is on a Rotary exchange in Finland), my 21 year-old “brother” Renaud (who studies in Paris, but comes home on week-ends), and my 22 year-old “brother” David (who studies in Strasbourg, but comes home occasionally). Everyone has been very welcoming and kind. Isabelle is teaching me how to cook, and is educating me all about the Lorraine region and French culture, Patrick has been giving me African drumming lessons and takes me to his farm, and Renaud has taken me out several times at night to meet his friends at cafés in Metz. For the first couple days I was here, one of Léa’s friends, Alexia, stayed with us to show me how the bus works, take me around Metz (we‘ve already been to the Museum of Metz, a cathedral, a shopping center, the movie theater, a couple cafés, the ice skating rink, and horseback riding) and introduce me to some of her friends. It was very nice of her to go out of her way to make me feel welcome. We have already become friends. School - I am about to start high school in a couple of days. My high school is called George De La Tour (named after a famous artist) and is located in the center of Metz. It is a prestigious public school built in 1910. School here is very demanding - it lasts six days a week and some days go from eight in the morning to six in the afternoon! Nevertheless, I am looking forward to meeting new people and challenging myself academically. Speaking of challenging myself academically, some of the classes I’m taking are: French economics, history of the arts, music, religion, lab science and advanced philosophy. Rotary - I have recently met my counselor Jean-Louis and his wife Anik. They are both extremely nice people. They live in a small town called Marly right outside Metz. The Rotary Club generously provides me with 60 Euros per month, a bus card, school supplies, books, cafeteria money and bus money. Jean-Louis belongs to one of the five branches of the Rotary Club of Metz. I am the only exchange student that is being sponsored by this branch. The Rotary Club that is sponsoring me has 40 male members. Apparently the club is not very active, but I hope to participate in as many projects as I can. I’m looking forward to attending an upcoming meeting and giving a presentation. I have to give at least 4 presentations this year: one about myself, one about the way I live in America, one about the way I perceive France and one comparing the two. In a couple weeks, th e 12 exchange students in the district will meet in Metz - I can’t wait! Language - It’s funny how one takes advantage of simply being able to communicate with other people - one truly forgets how essential it is to be able to communicate. Luckily, communication with the French has not been too much of a problem. In fact, everyone is impressed with my French, even though I make mistakes (most of my mistakes come from not knowing the gender of a word.) Even thought I’ve spent most of my life learning French, I still have a lot to learn. However, there is nothing like being immersed in a language. Everyday, I think more and more in French. I’ve been trying to keep a note pad in my pocket to jot down words that I don’t understand, then look them up at night to build a rich vocabulary. Climate - Ever since I got here, I keep forgetting that it’s still summer. It’s been pretty cloudy and rainy the last couple days, although there has been some sun here and there. Generally, the North of France is colder and wetter than the Mediterranean climate of the South. Transportation - Probably the only minor disadvantage to living in the countryside is the fact that it is slightly isolated. If Renaud or David is not home, I pretty much rely on the local bus for any means of transportation including school because Isabelle and Patrick are very busy. Unfortunately, the bus stop is about ½ a mile away and isn’t cheap. It costs me almost 30 Euros a week (which Rotary kindly pays for) just going to school and back. Another down side is that the last bus is at 6:30 p.m., so I don’t think I will be able to take part in many extra-curricular activities in Metz. The good thing is that it gives me lots of exercise and forces me to become self sufficient. It’s all part of the learning experience! Music - I love the music in France! It’s really neat because the popular music is mostly French and English, it also consists of music from all over Europe. I love the fact that I can bond with other people through music. Isabelle and Patrick love listening to music at night, so I also get to listen to a lot of classic French singers like Charles Asnavour to Julien Clerc. Cuisine - I have been pleasantly indulging in the delicious French cuisine! In France, there are 22 regions. French food is often categorized by region. Each region has wines, cheeses, fruits, etc. that it is famous for. Some foods the Lorraine region is known for are: Mirabelles (small orange fruits that resemble a cherry), quiche Lorraine (cheese, bacon, and eggs cooked in a pie crust), Bergamots de Nancy (small hard candies from Nancy made out of sugar with a unique lemon taste), and many various wines, cheeses and meats. Before I arrived, I didn’t really like cheeses, but I’ve been determined to try absolutely everything and now I absolutely love French cheese (except I have yet to develop a taste for goat‘s cheese). When I went to the super market with my host parents, I was amazed to discover a wide array of wine, cheeses, meets and fish. I have qu ickly learned how important good quality food is to the French culture. Right now I literally feel like I’m in a different world. I am constantly learning about other people’s ways of life, even through ways I could have never imagined. As I do this, I find my mind becoming more open and aware. I am trying my best to let everything sink in - the culture, the language, the food, the people, and really get as much of this year as I can. When I learn about another culture, I tend to reflect on my own culture. I have been amazed to discover that there are more similarities between the two than I thought. I am very, very thankful for this fantastic opportunity that the Rotary Club has generously provided for me. I am confident that this once in a lifetime experience will change my life and hopefully the lives of others forever. Much love, Naomi P. S. - Because I am starting school, I will be very busy, so I will try to update at least once a month.

Naomi Tulsa to France

Naomi
Tulsa to France