Showing posts with label Students' diaries - Visit to France. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Students' diaries - Visit to France. Show all posts

3/9/09

France - Two German diaries

Jennifer:
After a long and exhausting day we arrived in Chateau du Loir, a little village near Le Mans, with the Spanish and Belgium people.
We were welcomed in the college, by our host-students. They were all very friendly to us, but the whole situation was a bit tough. But while we went to the guildhall, my host sister and I started our first conversation which was still a bit hawed.
The welcome in the house of my host family was as great as I imagined it. We ate all together and because her mother and brother can’t speak English or German, my host sister translated everything they talked about. This helped me very much and made me feel already home there.

Our day in school was in some cases different to Germany, for example the class goes up to the afternoon and so they eat in a cafeteria.
Unfortunately we had lessons like physics and biology,where we couldn’t understand anything.But the view of our host students was very informative, we saw articles of their student newspaper. I was really amazed that they write their articles also in English and German.
The sport tournament in the afternoon was really funny and surprising, that it is possible to connect different people from different cultures with sports.
Because mostly when we were all together we stayed in our groups and not with the people of the other countries. And while playing volleyball and badminton it seemed to be easier to get into contact with each other.
After two exhausting and interesting days everything was lightened up. In the castle we made our first pictures with our host students which shows that we did more with them and the relation to them got better.
I think it always takes its time to get to know somebody better and that’s why Saturday, the free day with my host sister was the best and funniest we had. We were all together, all four countries connected, ice skating and shopping.

But the most impressive thing for me was how my host family welcomed me and that they took care in doing the best that I feel very well and at home there.
Also very formidable was how different they live. They had such a big house which was really amazing because it was in an old-style. And their eating culture was also very different to ours, for example that they have four meals a day.

My personal profit out of this project is that I got to know another culture which was really exciting.
I also learned that you have to be a bit more openminded, because they are all humans like you and there is maybe the difference of the language but this shouldn’t matter.
The further education aspect is also a big profit for me, because when you are forced to speak English you are able to and you advance in your level.

I would take part in such a project at any time again.
Jennifer

Melanie:
My days in France were very interesting. I learned a lot about the culture and have seen some beautiful cities and places. What I really liked was that the French people were very friendly and frank to us e.g. in school.

My correspendence was regrettably a bit shy. It was a bit difficult to have a conversation.

The lessons there were certainly interesting, but I did not understand what they were saying. The other students tried to explain what the teacher said and it was funny.

After school we had a sports tournaments where we played Badminton and Volleyball.

It was really fun. I enjoyed it and in Badminton we made the third place.

The following day we made a trip to Amboise, where we visited the 'Château' and Tours.

In Tours we had freetime and went shopping. It was a little bit difficult, because we had to go with our French correspendence. So we were a big group and everyone wanted to go to another shop, it was complicated but it was cool to have some time to do things without the whole group. We bought a lot of clothes there.

The last day in France I spent with my correspendence Pauline, her sister and the sister's boyfriend. We drove to Le Mans to go shopping and do a little bit of sightseeing. I liked it although we had little time. The cathedral of Le Mans is so beautiful I was really impressed. In the evening we were invited to Camille, the correspendence of Jennifer. We played Wii and ate pizza end fooled around. I had a really good time there.

As a result I can safely say that the trip to France was a very interesting experience for me. I have seen a lot of new things, I learned something about the French culture and met a lot of nice people and I would never regret to have made such a trip. I would do it everytime again and advise everybody who has this possibility, to do it. And I want to thank my English-teacher for giving me this possibility.
Melanie

2/28/09

Four Belgian students’ diary about the meeting in France

Cédric
21 st January 2009
We arrived in Château du Loir at 16.00. In the evening we were welcomed in the town hall by the friendly French students. They had prepared cookies, brownies, and drinks for us. We talked to the French students while the Spanish and the German ones were arriving. Cassandra, my corresponding member arrived at the middle of the “ceremony” and after that we went home, in Aubigné-Racan located 10 km far from Château du Loir. Then, I became acquainted with my family, we ate a pizza. Then we played with the wii and we watched a film. To finish the exhausting day
I unpacked my suitcase and I went to bed.

22 nd January 2009
I’m got up at 6.15 a.m. I got ready for a day in a French school. I took the bus with Cassandra to go to school. She introduced her friends and we talked to people in relation with the Comenius project. We attended a sciences and a mathematics lesson. It was boring. After that we ate and we were got dressed for the “Sarthe international badminton tournament”. The Belgians are the best. They won. We played volleyball and futsal too. After that, we went to the pub for another sport: “Drink”. Once again Belgium was the best, with its star Nick. There I talked to the French and the Spanish students. Unfortunately, we had to go back home. When I arrived, my new family had prepared a typical regional meal: snails. I loved that. After supper I immediately went to bed.

23 rd January 2009
I got up at 6.15 a.m to go to school by car. The programme was the visit of the castle of Amboise and a walk in Tours. In the morning we visited the beautiful castle where Leonardo da Vinci died.
Because of the bad weather the visit was somewhat marred. After that, we went shopping in Tours. With Nick, we went to a pub and we found France was very expensive. After this walking afternoon, we returned to Château du Loir by coach. There we went to a pub and we played snooker.
It was very funny because nobody could play. To end the day we went to a pizzeria. The food was not exceptional but it was edible. We went back to home and I went to bed because I was totally shattered.

24 st January 2009

It was our last day and we went to Le Mans by train.
We had to wait for the train for more than two hours thanks to our French friends who were well informed about the timetable!!! In Le Mans we took the tram to the city centre and then until the skating rink.
I didn't stop falling and people laughed a lot at me. It was a disaster. We went back to the Château du Loir and we went to a party organized by Camille, we played with the Nintendo and the Wii, ate a pizza and watched a film. Unfortunately, I ended the evening in hospital with Sophie and Cassandra because Améliane had hurt her hand at the skating rink.

25 st January 2009

This trip to France was a success for me. It allowed me to practice different languages, to know other cultures and new people. I hope I'll be selected to go to Bremen. I’d like to improve my English and learn a little Spanish.
Cédric from Belgium



Sophie

FIRST DAY:
After a long journey we were welcomed received by the French. They had prepared a snack for us. We stayed two hours with them and they let us visit their school. It is well equipped for leisure activities for young people. After that we met the Spaniards and Germans and we went together to the town hall. At the beginning, it was difficult to communicate. I wasn't always self-assured but with time the communication got better. At the town hall we met the mayor, who welcomed us with a small speech. We also met our families. It was great!
I had a very nice family and they did everything to let me feel comfortable.

SECOND DAY:
Arrived at school we started the day with a meeting of the participants and we were welcomed with a small speech in English. After that we attended the courses with our corresponding member. It was surprising because during the physics course nobody answered the questions except the foreigners. At noon the French offered us a “bio lunch”. In the afternoon we took part in badminton and volleyball tournament. It was a different way of seeing and knowing each other. In the evening we returned to our corresponding member. I was very comfortable in my family and I got on well with everybody. It was very pleasant.

THIRD DAY:
We went to visit Amboise: the castle and the town. It was very beautiful. Everything was very well planned. After that we went to Tours. We could visit the town freely. It was nice to have a little free time. In the evening I had a meal in my friend’s father‘s restaurant. It was delicious. I was very spoiled.

FOURTH DAY:
We were free to do what we wanted with our family but our new friends had arranged everything to go together in the afternoon to Le Mans. We had a drink before taking the train to Le Mans and it was pleasant. In Le Mans we went shopping and then we went to the rink.
It was great; it was very funny even if a pupil hurt herself. After the rink we went back to go shopping. We spent the evening at Camille’s, a French girl. We ate a pizza, played on the Wii and watched a movie. But Améliane had hurt herself at the rink and she had to go to the emergency. I went with her, Cassandra and Cédric (a French girl and a Belgian boy).
We spent the evening in hospital but we had a good time because her injury was not serious.
The next day we went back to Belgium.

I have a very pleasant recollection of this experience and hope to live another one.
Sophie from Belgium


Nick

Our travel to France for Comenius started early on Wednesday morning. We took the train from Liege to Paris, from Paris to … (…) and finally we arrived at the close of the afternoon in Château du Loir where we were welcomed on well by the French students in their own establishment.
After many cakes and good orange juice, we left the school to go to the town hall where we met the mayor of Château du Loir. The parents of our French corresponding member were there. After that, we had supper with our new family. It was charming and not very different from our habits. We were tired, so we had a shower and went to bed.
On Thursday, we went to school in the morning. The lessons were rather funny. In the afternoon, after a tasteless organic lunch, we played sports: first, badminton and then volleyball. The Belgians won the cup. It was a good way to talk more with the other corresponding members.
On Friday, we woke up early. Unfortunately, the weather was not good, so we put on as many clothes as possible. We took coach and two hours later we arrived in Amboise where we visited a Castle where Leonardo Da Vinci died. There was a lot of wind. After that visit, we walked in Tours where we had lunch and went shopping. At 5 p.m., we were back in Château du Loir. Then, we ate in an Italian restaurant. There was no Italian in the place, but they cooked pizzas. To tell the truth, the food was disgusting! But we had a lot of fun with everybody. Thanks a lot to the cook.
Nick from Belgium



Lara

Wednesday: we left to France by train. The travel was tiring because we had to change three times. It was an advantage because we could spend some time in Paris. We didn’t leave Paris without having a drink in the “ Montparnasse Tower”. In the afternoon, we arrived in Château du Loir, a little town near “Le Mans” famous for its car race. Two French teachers were waiting for us at the station. They brought us to the school. Our corresponding members had prepared cookies for us. And then we met a Spanish girl and a German girl. It was very interesting to meet people from different nationalities and to discover other cultures. In the evening, we went to a reception at the Town Hall of the village.

Thursday: after a good night at our corresponding member’s, we spent two hours in the classroom. I was shy because I didn’t know the teacher. In the afternoon, we played volleyball and badminton with all the teachers and students who took part in the Comenius Project. We won the golden cup and we were happy. That competition was a good idea to meet and talk to other students.

Friday: in the morning, we visited the castle of Amboise where the famous Leonardo da Vinci died. After that visit, we went to “Tours”. We went shopping and had a drink.
In the evening, we went to a restaurant with some new French and Spanish friends. The meal was horrible but we laughed at it the whole evening.
Lara from Belgium

2/18/09

Château du Loir in January - personal experience

by Anna-Lena

We arrived at Château du Loir, a small town near le Mans, after a stormy flight and a long trip by train. I was very impressed, because we took the very fast TGV.
I think it’s faster than the German one, called ICE.
I was cordially received by the French students in their school. First, nobody had any ideas to speak about but after a few minutes we ate cookies together and everybody had fun. At this first afternoon, we had a greeting with the mayor of Château du Loir. And later, all students were at their families but I was at a boarding school.
When we arrived there, we ate a little bit and before we went to bed, five Frenchgirls and me sat in a room and they all spoke French very fast. So I couldn’t understand anything.
The next day, we had e.g. a badminton and volleyball match with all European people from four countries. So we got to know the other students better.
Friday, we made a trip to Amboise and Tours. In Tours, we stayed there for a while with our French girls and we went shopping and saw many little streets inside Tours. On this day, I liked most the special castle of Amboise. It was very interesting, e.g. the grave of Leonardo da Vinci and the beautiful view of the nature and the village next to the castle.
Friday afternoon, I met the parents of my French student Fanny. They were all so nice and very hospitable. I was fascinated, because the food was so tasty! I think in France, there is the best food of the world!
The next day was the best I had. In the morning we drove to le Mans and met the other students for iceskating. It was very funny with all of them.
But above all, the best was the citycenter of le Mans. We saw the big church and we bought some presents for our families in Germany.
In the afternoon we drove to our home and we ate fondue. Of course it was different to Germany but I liked it very much!
Shortly after the food, we went to a bar. We laughed the whole time and enjoyed it much. Janin, another German girl with her French student was with me. It was better because I could converse in German with Janin and we could help each other if we had problems with our English to talk with the French girls. It was a succesful last evening in France!
The next day, we went back to Germany. =(

My personal profit of this trip is firstly to advance my French language skills because I want to speak and write it fluently! Secondly, I’m not so afraid any longer to speak French and English to foreign people, like before my trip to Château du Loir. Finally, I became more self-confident. Before I went to France, I was not very self-confident.
All this goes to show that I can simply say that the trip to France was very full of new positive experiences!
This exchange came up to my expectations because I gained lots of new positive experiences.
Anytime, I would do an exchange again, to meet new exciting people!


Anna-Lena

My France Experience - a diary

by Charlene

Wednesday (1st day)
After a relaxed trip we arrived in Château du Loir which is close to Le Mans. The students Our “Corres” (the French students where we stayed) received us in their school. I think they were happy that we arrived, because their receipt was very warm and welcoming. We went with our corres to the city hall and the mayor delivered a speech, but it was a little stupid because the mayor only talked in French. After this speech we got some gifts, it was a very nice surprise for us. At the beginning, however, we were a little confused about all those new faces and different languages (-:
Next thing, I met the girl I was staying with, her name is Alice. She and her parents were very nice and welcoming to me (thank you again!). After the reception we drove to their house and I met her Dad. He was very friendly, too.

Thursday (2nd day)
On Thursday we went to school with our “Corres”. We had chemistry and physics. What a difference compared to Germany. An interesting observation I made: The pupils are more disciplined than in Germany, the school is very clean. But sometimes they talked much and do personal things (for example they played with their mobile). After the school we went to their gym and played Badminton and Volleyball, it makes a lot of fun. At home we watched a DVD in English, Alice and her mother heven tried to get English, so that I could understand something, but it did not work out. This is only one example of how my host family cared about me , it was very beautiful :).

Friday (3rd day)
On Friday we visited an old castle, it was a very impressive thing. The castle was very big and beautiful, the only drawback was that the weather was so bad. After the visit we went shopping in Tours. The Spanish and Belgian students could go alone in Tours, but we (the German students) had to go with our Corres which led to some differences of opinion, because we were so many pupils and everybody wanted to go in another shop.

Saturday (4th day)
On our last day on Saturday we went to Le Mans together with the French students where we could go shopping again. It was good weather and we all had a lot of fun. After shopping we went to an ice skate-rink where it was funny, because it gave also there program. :)

On Sunday we flew back to Germany.
Not only was it beautiful in France (despite the rain) - I could also learn a lot about French culture and customs and I could really train my English. Even if it is sometimes difficult to talk and to listen when there are different languages everywhere around you. I am very excited and happy when the students come to Bremen to visit us in May :).

Charlene