Back from the Dead: Mid-October Update

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Hey everyone... yes, I know I promised you that I would be better at updating my blog, but I did indeed lie and now here we are. The last time we spoke, I gave an update on the start of school and the struggles/benefits of living in Nantes. Now that we have reached almost 5 weeks of classes, with midterms next week, we have a LOT to catch up on. I suggest that you turn on any song by the great French singer Charles Aznavour--my favorite is "Emmenez-Moi", meaning take me--to transport yourself to France while I recount my many many many experiences. Etttttttttttt c'est parti :)

 

Moi en train de marcher sur les rochers

During the time I was writing my last blog, I was about one and a half weeks through classes, and I had yet to start my teaching internship. Now, I am completely settled into my courses and my internship, where I am an English assistant at a lycee-prepa called Joliverie. For four hours each week, I work closely with two English professors who give me small groups of students to converse with about American politics and culture. I absolutely love hearing their opinions on our politics and their hilarious perception of Americans; I find it quite impressive that the youth and general population of France are interested and educated on our politics because in the US we seem to pay attention only to domestic issues rather than looking towards international affairs. Class-wise, I really cannot complain. Two weeks ago in my Gastronomie course, we learned about the history and cultural importance of cheeses in France, and got to do a taste test while simultaneously learning...and if you know anything about me, imma MUNCH for some cheese fr. 

Dégustation de fromages dans mon cours de gastronomie

 Alongside courses, I also participate in le club de conversation, which occurs on Tuesday every week. The club is open to the public and allows French students in Nantes to converse in English/French with American students at the IES center. After each meeting, I have the goal of snatching a French friend to come get dinner with me and other IES students, but I have to capture someone successfully. Hopefully in the next update I'll be able to tell you guys about mon/ma meilleur(e) ami(e) francais(e). 

 ASIDE from that boring, boring information, Nantes has been popping as usual. Last weekend, my friend Jess visited me for the weekend and we explored the city together, hand-in-hand :P Funnily enough, she was the one showing me around because she did a ton of research on Nantes before visiting. We saw the Chateau des ducs de Bretange, went to Nantes Oktoberfest (c'etait dingue), and spent the next day walking through all of the popular destinations in the city--notably Les Machines de l'ile and a galette/crepe resto. 

Oktoberfest avec mes girls 

The following weekend (10.12-10.13), I traveled to Saint-Malo (THE BEACH LETS GOOOOOOOO), Mont Saint-Michel, and some World War II Memorials in Normandy with other students in my program. Because all of these things are relatively popular tourist attractions in Northwestern France, I have NEVER heard so many British accents in my life. It was literally so jarring and probably the first time I've ever seen so many people from the UK in one place. This weekend, I'm looking forward to visiting Rennes and going to the Nantes vs. Nice football game. 

Le Mont Saint-Michel... magnifique 

As for my French speaking skills, I have been gauging my progress using a fool-proof system: seeing if the cashiers/servers in stores and restaurants switch from French to English with me. Obviously, I do not take offense if they switch languages because I don't think they're trying to insult my intelligence, but it sure feels good when I'm able to successfully hold a conversation or order food fully in French. Confidence plays a HUGE part in improving my skills. It seems obvious that talking more would help you learn a language more easily, but it really really is a process you have to work through. It feels incredibly embarrassing when you try to speak to someone and they don't understand what you're saying, but if you let go of the shame and keep persevering, everything will turn out fine. I have definitely stopped giving two shites about being perfect and that has opened soooo many doors for me. The largest obstacle right now is solidifying grammar rules and having a wider, more dynamic range of vocabulary words. I can express myself better, but still not as nuanced as I can do in English. Hopefully, by the end of November, I can record a day in my life fully in French so I can show off what I've been learning to you guys!

 

Pas de mots... juste incroyable

 To end today's blog, let me teach you one of my favorite French sayings that I learned from Instagram reels.

 - Ramène ta fraise --> literally meaning "bring back your strawberry" is a cutesy way of saying "get over here". 

- You can also say Ramène ta poire (pear). 

Les Machines de l'ile avec mes camardes de classe...
regardez mon instagram pour plus de photos comme celle-ci
 @kenenfrance 

French Music Mix -- Kennnnnnnnnn

 Thank you all for reading this update!!! I really appreciate it when you guys reach out to me after I post these. As always, if you have any questions that you want me to answer in the next blog, feel free to shoot me a message at any point :)

Petit note--------so sorry for the lack of accents in the French words I used in the body text, was feeling too lazy :P