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My trip to France was amazing and absolutely one of a lifetime. My host family was incredibly welcoming and in the first night I instantly felt like I fit into their family. Throughout my stay, I was able to get to know both my host girl, but her mom as well. They made me feel included in their family discussions. They would ask me about how life in the US was and how much different France was. Naomi, my host sister, told me how she was looking forward to coming to visit the US and hopefully one day returning to go to college at Yale. Over the weekend I spent with my family, we went to the louvre and the aquarium. They had never been to an aquarium before, so the experience of being there was as new for them as it was for me.
The sights we saw with the class were amazing. Throughout the trip, everything seemed unreal to me. It was an amazing sight going on the train everyday to Paris, and seeing the Eiffel Tower peaking out from between the buildings. After a while I was around French speakers for so long that eventually I started to be confused when I heard English.
This trip is definitely one that I will never forget!
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| Carsen and
Musings on the experience by Morgan B
'Unique' holdings a bit of meaning to me after a lengthy
discussion with Martin, my french host-brother, about the definition of
the word. So for me to call this trip unique holds a little sentimental
value as well as truth. I'd been to Paris once before with my mother,
but it was very different than living with Martin. It was different with
snow on the ground and to be, primarily, with people my own age. I
learned much more than French. As a rural kid, I am used to personal
space and quiet nights. I encountered Metro stations, competitive
patisseries, and much more contact with people. Martin was a wonderful
host. He introduced me to lots of french people to try out my
introductions and find people who I could and could not understand. He
made a point to make me blend into Paris and experience what Paris-life
really felt like. He was also very patient with my speaking, which I
appreciated very much. I stayed at his mother's apartment during my time
there where Martin's older brother also lived. But I got to meet with
his Father, Step-Mother and little brother twice for dinner. I also met
his Aunt who took me to an authentic market and cooked ratatouie with
me on Saturday as well as taking Martin and I to the Louvre on Sunday.
They were all incredibly welcoming to me and I am very grateful to have
been paired with such a generous and interesting host family. Except for
on some occasions, we spoke French at home. My host family was a big
part of my experience. It added a lot of cultural learning opportunities
as well as communicational challenges to overcome. As an unpredicted
added benefit, I became closer to the students from Sonoma Academy as
well. In terms of highlights, I thoroughly enjoyed the day we went to
Montmartre and the Sacre Coeur. Cathedrals are wonderful pieces of highly
functional art we rarely see in America. In Montmartre I bought a little
six by three inch painting from a small, paint-sprinkled man to remember
the trip and gave a euro to a mime who made a good show. Making
macarons was also great fun! I am very excited to try the recipe at
home and no longer fear difficult cooking! I think the time we got in
small groups, without Florence and Hillary, did a lot for a taste of
independence. I really appreciate that we got a little time without
supervision go to cafés and stores, and to practice adulthood. The whole
trip was a special time I will remember for the rest of my life. On
Friday, Martin and I woke up at 5:00 am. We took a taxi to the station
we usually took a train to every morning and unloaded my bag. I hugged
Martin, to his surprise, and boarded the bus. From my window seat I
could see Martin and only after the bus started up and his figure began
to shrink did I realize this particular experience was closing. I would
recommend it to anyone who could pick up this opportunity. It is
absolutely unique.
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