I know I promised the Venice trip would be next but that's going to take some time and it's 10 pm here and I have been doing a lot of homework and reading tonight. (And I had class at 915...wah wah right? Seriously though I haven't had to be up that early for a while!)
I am liking my classes (French, Communication & Global Competence, Haute Couture: History of style and Fashion, and Oenology-study of wine), and they are no joke. I am kind of disappointed that they are all taught in English (with the exception of my French class) because I am used to my summer school in Antibes, where it was not only a "french intensive boot camp" but only french was heard, which makes your comprehension far better. So while I was scheduling and planning back in Spring, I doubted my ability to be able to understand these topics in French...Now I wish I had challenged myself more!
It's also a shame that my french class is only two days a week for a little over an hour. I am used to 3-4 hours of just french everyday! So it's going to be something Erin and I are going to have to undertake while here in Paris to make sure our French keeps on improving. I was told Paris was not the best place to study because everyone speaks English. False. Many do, but it is also somewhat insulting when someone (peers for example) start to speak to a server, store employee, someone on the street for directions, etc, in English just expecting them to speak back in English. The French are stereotyped as rude...but you'd be surprised how nice they can be if you simply start off with a 'Bonjour, parlez-vous anglais?'
Also speaking English, and American English, targets us as 'rich' Americans, something pick pockets and thieves are constantly looking for. Our advisors during orientation suggested that if you're not going to speak French in highly crowded areas (metros, parks, bars) it's better to not speak at all so you don't draw attention to yourself.
It's now just about two days til Nathan gets here and I am so excited! Time really does fly! (Although it feels like this week is dragging on...)
That's all for now! Bonne nuit mes amis!
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