Jules Ferry Lycée

Thursday we went to another high school in Versailles. Students mainly go to this high school who are on a technological track, therefore, who plan to be engineers. The first class, Holly and I were together in a class of all 21 year old boys so you can say I enjoyed the class. Throughout the whole day, the girls in our group received whistles or odd looks wondering why we were there. The school is mostly boys but with a few girls who are studying to be mechanical engineers or architecture.

Even though I am not studying engineering or any sciences, I thought the visit was very interesting. The amount of technology that was in the school was so cool and cost a pretty penny as well. Some of the projects that the students were working on seemed like projects that would be done in college. One of the projects that I thought was very cool for a freshmen class was they had to research unique inventions and make a powerpoint on how to sell the invention. I think it would be even cooler if they actually had to make the invention. Some of the ones I saw were a remote control with a bottle opener attached, a food tray for your keyboard so you do not get crumbs in your keys, and a dust cover for your dog.

The best class I sat in was definitely the one after lunch that had the most girls in it. The reason that it was the best was because they told me where the ladurée stores are in Paris besides on the Champs- Elysées. They gave me many locations so I was so excited. This class was also very interesting because we were laughing very hard and Holly accidentally snorted very loudly. I was almost crying because it was so funny but the students were trying to be polite and not laugh.

 

I will update this more later but I am about to board my plan from Amsterdam to Detroit!

Lycée International

Today we spent the day at the International high school in Saint Germain. Anne has been saying that it’s image is falsified so I was going into the visit very intrigued to learn about the school. They claim they are the best school in the surrounding Paris area. However, Anne does not agree with it because they only take like the top 10% of students from their class. So they should not consider themselves as the best school but just have the best pupils.

The school is very large with 13 different sections: Russian, Portuguese, Dutch, etc. with the three largest sections being British, American, and German. Just on the main campus, which is an open one, there are 2200 students. They have elementary and primary schools in the surrounding areas that are technically a part of the school, so in total, around 3000 students.

We had a brief tour of the school and then coffee and croissants with some of the workers from the American Section, and then were greeted by the principle of the entire school. They mentioned that the American section wants more change to happen regarding education, but it is so hard to change anything because there are many unions who go on strike. It is interesting because the American sections are the classes who use the most technology, such as smart boards, where as other sections do not even have WIFI, only the American section.

Something also very fascinating is that teachers in France who have a full teaching load have an 18 hour work week. But specifically to this school, you are not required to be on campus when you are not teaching. For example, if you did not teach a class on a certain day until 1:30 PM, you could come in at 12:30 or later! Oh the life in France.

In the American section, there are about 700 students and the competition to get into the school is a very rigorous one. It is only like a 30% acceptance rate into the school. And another difference is the 11th graders barely have exams but they come at the end of 12th grade and they are tested on the two years combined. The exams usually last around 4 hours and then have an additional 30 minute oral exam. I probably wouldn’t survive in this system with my test anxiety!

We observed a Literature class in the American section where they were reading Flannery O’Connor. I was surprised to hear that even though they are not supposed to teach religion in the schools, the teacher was talking a lot about Catholicism in relation to the text. He even brought up some Bible verses relating to stewardship and mentioned the Beatitudes. However, this class also seemed like more of a college lecture to me than a high school class. Which I found out is really aimed for here.

At lunch and another brief tour, we found out that it was actual Eisenhower who opened the school! So it has a very strong American connection. And during the tour, the headmistress of the American section pointed out various bunkers that were actually German bunkers during World War II– so fascinating!

Taking Paris by Metro and Boat!

Tuesday my group and I went into Paris again but this time led by two tour guides through the sister city committee of Noisy-Albion. We took a train right out of the station in Noisy to a connecting train in St. Cloud. I am slightly positive that we did not pay for either train because the station was not open inside but we just got on! We got off the train at Solferino to head to the Musee d’Orsay. This museum used to be an old train station, which reminded me that I was on the set of the movie “Hugo” the whole time.

 

We only had an hour and a half in the museum to look around because we wanted to have lunch in the restaurant. We went to the top floor of the museum and looked at the exhibit on impressionists. This exhibit held many works from Claude Monet who is just brilliant. I first heard of him in the movie the “Titanic” because Leo DiCaprio says how much he loves him. But as I have grown older and seen more of his work, he really is brilliant and uses a lot of color, so I enjoyed this exhibit.

After this exhibit, Holly, Lily and I went downstairs to see the modern decor exhibit which was very cool. The furniture pieces were made out of mostly wood but had the most wonderful designs to make them look like branches of some sort. Holly made a comment that she was looking for Bilbo Baggins with all this small wooden furniture. (Reference to Lord of the Rings haha).

Even though Holly and I are experts at mapping, we somehow got lost in this museum, or side tracked I would say. We could not get the elevator to work so we were forced to take the escalator. Well it turns out this escalator goes straight to the 5th floor from the 1st so we had to take it all the way to the 5th, then took the stairs all the way down. It was quite humorous.

We realized that it was time to go meet the rest of the group at the restaurant. However, we realized that in the Van Gogh exhibit holds the original painting of one of his renowned self-portraits so we rushed to that exhibit. It was very cool to see an original Van Gogh! Unfortunately, no cameras were allowed in any of the exhibits other wise I would have snagged a photo!

We went to the restaurant and it was absolutely beautiful. The ceilings were covered with murals and the trim was all gold with chandeliers. It could have passed for a room in Versailles. Again I chose the wine for the table and chose a Burgundy Pinot Noir. I had cheese ravioli which was wonderful. And for dessert we had something called a “Floating Island.” It was whipped egg whites with caramel. I was concerned when I found out I had ordered egg whites has dessert but it was very delicious. And then we had espresso to finish the meal.

After the museum, we took a metro to a stop close by so we could board a boat on La Seine River. I was very excited because we would pass by a lot of different monuments throughout the tour. At first we sat inside the boat but I insisted to go upstairs on the open top, mainly for photography reasons haha. Here are some of my favorite photos from the ride.

The ferris wheel in the tuilleries of the Louvre.

I just really like how the lighting turned out on this photo.

Thank you Holly!

Love the skyline on this one

Holly did not bring a camera besides her iPhone so I have been trying to help her document the trip by taking pictures of her standing in front of important monuments. So while on the boat ride, she was like okay give me your camera and I’ll take a bunch of you! And I am so glad she did, they turned out wonderfully!

 

 

 

 

For dinner on Tuesday, we had the most wonderful meal! It is called Roclette. It is where you have a heating device on the table and you have your own tray and you put cheese on it and put it on the heating device. Once the cheese is cooked, you take it out and put it on ham or potatoes. My family and I went through 2 packages of cheese, it was so delicious!

Then of course, Lily, Holly, and I went to the creperie! So delicious!

Lycée (Lee-say)

On Monday we headed to our first high school of the trip in St. Cloud. Here in France, high schools are called Lycées and are only 3 years. We were greeted by an English speaking teacher which I was grateful for and she led us to our first class which was hers. We found out she is from Britain, which I could actually tell by her accent. Her first class was a European section so most of the students spoke English. We came on a very exciting day because they were doing presentations on fashion from different parts of the world. They pushed desks together to make a runway, which I was quite concerned about but they did it. The groups presented from places such as Miami, London, flappers from the 20’s, rock n’ roll, business like for women, and winter clothing. It was very entertaining to watch and I could tell it was a different atmosphere in this classroom then in the classes in the college. The teacher joked with the students and was actually presented with a Christmas gift. However, in my next class it was completely different.

 

Everyone has been saying how the teachers here are much more strict and they have a lot more work. I have not observed the amount of work they received so I cannot say anything about that, but I do not think they are more strict at all compared to American schools. In my second class, they were discussing George Orwell’s “1984” which I am sure would be very difficult for them in English. However, many students were talking the entire time that the teacher was, one kid was passed out cold in the back of the class, and a number of students did not even have their books out during the lecture. The teacher would call on the students to be quiet by she just kept doing that. She never had full control of the classroom. It was sincerely bothering me that there was so much disturbance in the classroom. She threatened with giving the students a test but it was not a stern threat at all. She just let the talking go throughout the class and did not even do anything about it!

After the visit at the high school, we were all very excited to be getting done at 2:00 PM. However, our tour guide decided to continue our education on French culture by taking us to the Musee Lambinet in Versailles. It is a fairly new museum made out of a old house. The art in the museum was very entertaining though, moving from classical impressionists to just modern sketches. It was an unexpected trip but just enriched the cultural experience even more!

My group in front of the Musee Lambinet with one of our tour guides, Francois

Parly 2!

Today I was grateful that I got to sleep in! I slept until about 10:00 AM but did not roll out of bed until 11. Anne and Anais were supposed to go into Paris on the Champs Elysees today but apparently there was a strike going on. Right on the Champs Elysees was one of the biggest strikes in Paris in almost 30 years. Over 1 million people were there and it was a protest about sexuality (GLBT). All of the streets were closed so they were not able to make it in town. I was almost going to go with them instead of my group so I am glad I did not secure that plan.

Anne was not able to go grocery shopping yesterday so there was nothing in the house for lunch. So I told Lily that I was going to look for a bakery in Noisy then head to her house. Apparently on Sundays, nothing is open in Noisy or Bailly. Sad and hungry, I walked to Lily’s. Then, thankfully! I found an open bakery and bought a croissant and a chocolate macaroon for breakfast, of course. I got to Lily’s and we watched French music videos for a little bit until we left for the Noisy train station. Today our group was going to a big mall nearby Noisy. Andrew’s host mom Valerie was driving us. Apparently, big sales only happen twice a year in France and this week is one of those times. Therefore, the mall was so crowded! We stopped in a couple clothing stores and H & M but I did not buy anything surprisingly. For one, I was afraid I would not be able to pack anything else in my suitcase!

Of course, I did buy lunch though. I had a ham and cheese baguette sandwich and an eclair for dessert…I just love the eclairs. Then Valerie picked us up and dropped me off at my home. I am a little excited because we are having a French delicacy for dessert tonight in honor of the New Year. There is a treat hidden in a cake and whoever gets it in their piece receives a crown and is the King for the night. So we will see who gets the piece tonight!

Another day in Paris!

Saturday morning we woke up bright and early for a day in Paris. We all met at the train station in Noisy at 9:00 AM. I was hoping for a little bit more sleep since that’s what time we had to be at school every day this past week. But, Lily’s host mom Natalie was giving us a ride into town. She is a teacher at the primary (elementary school) in Noisy and she is planning a field trip at the Louvre so she was going to go there and map out the trip. So free ride! She walked us to the Louvre where we stopped to take some pictures of the famous triangular thing in front, haha I don’t even know what it is called. We decided not to go inside just because the Louvre is an all day affair. To observe everything in the museum it would take up to two weeks. Therefore, we decided to enjoy the beauty from the outside.

From there we made our way to the Metro station to head to Montmarte. I guess Montmarte is in the Northern part of Paris, not a good town, so it is best to take the subway, look at Montmarte, and head straight back. Today again I was in charge of the map and led the group around Paris. Once we got off the Metro, one could automatically tell that this atmosphere was completely different from that in mainstream Paris. As we came up the stairs, men were trying to pass out fliers and sell souvenirs and you could just tell it was not as nice. First, we went to Montmarte, which is a place where there are catacombs and is a famous cemetery. I was excited because I thought James Morrison was buried at this cemetery but I could not find him on the directory. But a lot of the gravestones were very pretty, not well kept but pretty.

After the cemetery, we made our way to the Sacré Coeur, the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Paris. But first, we stopped at a bakery to get a snack because we were not going to eat for at least another hour. The six of us shared a baguette, but I saw the most delicious looking eclair and I had to try one. It was so delicious! Instead of a custard filling, it hand chocolate inside! I contemplated on getting another one…

The Basilica of the Sacred Heart is on a huge hill and we actually climbed 200 steps to get to the top of the hill to the Basilica. At the top, there is the most gorgeous view of all of Paris.

 

Unfortunately, no photos were allowed in the Church but it was absolutely breathtaking, and one can judge by the photos, extremely large. After walking around the Church, I came across an exhibit and it turns out that Pope John Paul II had visited this Church and at one point, I was standing exactly where he stood. To me it was a very amazing experience being in this Church. Much of my anxiety this year has turned me to God and just seeing all the Churches on this trip is very special to me.

After Montmarte and the Sacré Couer, we got back on the Metro to go into the main part of Paris. Once we were back in town, we stopped at a small creperie and sandwich cafe for lunch. I had a specialty pancake called “La Seine,” which had egg, ham, and cheese and a hot chocolate to drink. While eating, I noticed a table next to us of women who sounded like they were from England. They all had bought drinks and were taking pictures. One of the women got up to take a picture of the rest of them, so I got up and asked them if they wanted me to take one of all of them. I have a sort of sixth sense when it comes to that sort of thing because when I am with a group of people, I like pictures of all of us, so I appreciate when people take them for  me. So I took the picture of the whole group and they were so appreciative. Once I sat back down, one of them said, “Oh what a lovely girl!” 🙂

After lunch, headed for the Eiffel Tower again! Not all of us had seen it on Tuesday so we wanted to go again, plus we wanted to try to go up it this time. I was very surprised to see that for the stairs, it was only 3.50 euros. The wait for the stairs was less than a half hour so we said why not. We got to the first floor and it was absolutely amazing. I could not believe I was on the Eiffel Tower.

We walked around the first floor and then we realized we could climb the stairs to the second floor so we said why not for only 3.50 euros…well 710 steps in total, we made it to the second floor, which was just as amazing. From the second floor, we could see Sacré Coeur and we could not believe how far we travelled today. Below is a picture of me on the second floor.

After the way down, I got a 4.00 euro bottle of water and I did not even care, I was so tired! Thank God you could not walk to the very top because I would have and then I would have been out for the count. We made our way to the gardens by the Eiffel Tower to take some pictures and to cross off something on my bucket list. When I was little, there was a Mary Kate and Ashley movie that was staged in Paris. In the movie, they did cartwheels on this same grassy area in front of the Eiffel Tower and I have always wanted to do that. However, there were a couple of downsides to this plan: 1) the ground was muddy, 2) the picture did not really come out, and 3) I cannot do a cartwheel to save my life. Here is the documentation I have!!! (If you look closely you can see my legs in the air in the right of the photo haha)

   

After a very long day in Paris, I went to Lily’s house for dinner. Her mom made pasta without the sauce, but very delicious. She also served us an alcoholic cider to drink which was very good too. Her kids were gone for the weekend so I think she liked having older girls with her and we ended up finishing the whole bottle just us 3! Then, even though Lily and I were exhausted, we convinced that a stop at the creperie was needed. We went there and the guy remembered us from the other night and remembered what wine we wanted! I got the same banana and chocolate crepe, however, I asked for two scoops of chocolate ice cream on top which was the best decision I have ever made!

Night on the town!

Friday evening, my group and I went to Saint Germain en laye for dinner and drinks. My host mom Anne insisted that there is nothing to do in Noisy so she said she would drive us to Saint Germain. We ate at a brasserie for dinner called La Square. I ordered a bottle of wine for the table, which my Uncle Mark will be very proud of because they complemented my wine choice. I ordered a steak with cheese and vegetables for dinner. It was more like a pork though, it was not pure red meat like our steaks, but very good. I was very proud of myself because as we waited and waited for our bill and it never came. Probably because they assume we sit at the dinner table for hours speaking but it is just so unlike the American culture. Most of the time in the States if the waiter is not at your side when your glass is empty or your plate is done then someone would get angry. They do not do that hear because they promote conversation and enjoy company; which is kind of sad about our culture that we just rush through meals or do not eat them together because it is really the only time of the day when everyone is together in one place. Now anyways, I asked for the bill in French! I said “Monsier, l’addition s’il vous plait.” I’m so cultured! Even though I do not know French, since I am in France and this is basically my only opportunity, I would like to immerse myself into the culture, and I am definitely trying with the language portion.

  

Now onto the humorous section of the evening: the desserts at the restaurant we ate at were a little pricey. So we decided we would walk around Saint Germain and look for a pastry shop. For some reason, the shops close very early and there was nothing open. But lo and behold there was a McDonalds! So to stick to the French culture and the necessity of desserts, we stopped in their for a chocolate sundae. I would have been happier if they understood what “no nuts” meant but they did not haha. But still a great evening experiencing the culture.

Holding on to the past

Today was our last day at Quintinye College, the middle school. Today was different though because we spent more time individually in classes that were more specific to our majors and minors. For example, we spent an hour in a physics class because 3 of the people I came with are interested in science. But Andrew and I both happen to be history minors so we were in two history classes today. Unfortunately, both of them were in French so we could not quite understand them, but we could observe the lesson on the boards and the mannerisms by the children.

I have noticed that many French people hold onto the past more than Americans do. For example, one of the first nights we were here, Andrew’s host brother asked him how he felt that the French helped the Americans gain their independence from Great Britain. That is a question Americans would never think about I believe, let alone ask someone of that nationality. And just two nights ago, Anais and Anne were talking about Germany because Anais is taking German. They were saying how it isn’t the prettiest language. Then, Anais said she hates Germany because they were the ones who started the second world war and killed many many people. Yes Americans always have a negative view about Germany while discussing the era during World War II but we would never say we hate them. I just think it is interesting how historical events still effect their daily lives and opinions.

In my last class today, we were put in groups and students again asked us questions about America. Two of the girls in my group were so hysterical. They put their ponytail straight on top of their heads and were whipping it around in circles like the American song “I Whip my Hair back and forth.” I told them I like to take pictures so I showed some of them my pictures of the Eiffel Tower. They were amazed and then excited because I said I would take their pictures. After I showed them the picture I had just taken of them, they said now I would have a “forever memory” of them. I have a feeling a lot of my pictures from this trip will be “forever memories.”

Crepes!

Last night, my group decided to venture around the small town of Noisy-le-Roi in hopes of finding a bar. We have been told in the past that there is a bar in town, now all we need to do is find it. We were sent to a place called “Nicolas.” Unfortunately, this place just sells wine and it was closed by the time we got there at 9:30 PM. However, Anne told me of a creperie that is in the main part of town that sells crepes and alcohol. So Lily, Andrew, Professor Cox, and I went to the creperie. Holly, our French translator, was not with us so I did most of the French speaking which was not much at all haha. Lily, Andrew, and I shared a bottle of red wine which was wonderful. This was one of the dryer wines I have had while I have been here but it was still good. I ordered a banane chocolat crepe! Bananas and chocolate! It was so delicious that I felt I had room for more! Lily and I decided that next week we are going to come back to this place for more crepes and wine!

  

Dommage!

I entitled this post “Dommage” because it has become mine and Lily’s favorite phrase in French. It means “What a pity!” So whenever anything annoying or displeasing happens, like rain, we say, “dommage!”

Today we spent another day at the college right by my house. It was more of an exciting day because we had more interaction with English speaking students. We spent classes in groups and they asked us questions. I was in a group with the same girl I was with on Tuesday, Leoni, and she led the group with questions again. I found today humorous because any time I told them what time Americans eat dinner, they were completely shocked. They were also shocked at how little of time schools allow students to eat in America.

I was pleased to learn I was going to spend the class in Anais’ English International class. Her class has only 5 students in it because this is considered the quite advanced level of English and they are bilingual. I was paired with a girl who was actually born in California and who is continuing her English education because she doesn’t want to lost English while she is living in France. I thought it was interesting though because by listening to her accent, she already sounds French and she has only lived here a little while. I liked talking to her though because she could tell me some of the things she preferred in school here in comparison in the United States. She understood some of the differences that I have noticed like the differences in student/teacher relationships. In France, teachers view their students as strictly students, not people. Whereas in America, we are taught to view our students as people and get to know them on a personal level so we can incorporate their interests in our lessons. Also, it is unthinkable to have your teachers’ e-mails here. Some teachers do make the exceptions with emergency purposes for homework, but the students found it very strange that a lot of schools communicate by e-mail.

I was disturbed to hear that we were doing a full day today, which means our school day was ending at 5:00 PM. However, our last class was with Madam Schuberg, an English teacher. She was actually born and raised in Big Rapids, Michigan and did her studies at Ferris State University. She said she originally came to France to be an au pair but found a teaching job because she really wanted to stay. This is her 3rd year teaching at the college in Noisy and she said she is still getting used to the school system versus the one back home. She gave very good insight and encouraged us to do an internship abroad for teaching. She said she performed one year of being a teacher’s aid in a school right outside Paris and then found this job in an International section for bilingual French students. She gave me the name of the program that gives the opportunity because I said I would be interested in teaching abroad for a couple years. But when we mentioned a couple years, she said “I thought that too and I know now I will never teach back in the United States again!”