Almost time to leave...

In two weeks time I’ll be back in England and the Paris part of my year abroad will be over, which means it’s time for a little reflection.

Work

Work is the main reason I came here, so it makes sense to start with it. Teaching English is a pretty standard thing for a languages student to end up doing on their year abroad, and I wasn’t an exception. Unfortunately, due to a general lack of jobs and the money situation in Europe, sometimes you have to take what you are given.

However, this doesn’t mean that I haven’t enjoyed teaching English to adults, nor does it mean that that is all I have done. I’ve also learnt to design and update a page on the website, I’ve ran pub quizzes with various themes and introducing some ‘marvels’ of English gastronomy such as Marmite and cheese and pineapple sticks and, probably most importantly for me, I’ve met some great people.

Some of the highlights of teaching include trying to explain words, such as ‘screwed’, hearing that the English are ‘European Americans’ and trying to defend us, trying to explain how to make proper English tea and the importance of putting the tea bag in before the hot water and the milk afterwards, etc. and discussing how Parisian men compare to non-Parisian men and advice from India on how to cure a hangover (yes, they were both real lesson plans!)

Tourist

There is no way you can come to Paris and not play tourist. I think I have pretty much exhausted this little town!

Has Parisian life won me over? In short, no. It is pretty much what I expected, a bit impersonal, busy, smells of wee just about everywhere along with the unidentified liquid puddles/streams on the floor, and full of Parisians. That’s not to say I’ve not enjoyed it, can’t beat seeing the giant pylon or the Eiffel Tower sparkle (and knowing Parisians who use this sparkling as a sign that it is time for the children to go to bed – genius). I also like the fact that you can go to the theatre for less than €20, though the theatre may only seat about 20 people and have a cast of two people. And if you are happy to do things alone, you will never get bored in Paris, especially if you are under 26 – they love us young people and almost everything cultural is free!

Living in Paris

In a word: expensive. I remember I saw a one-man show called ‘How to become Parisian in one hour’ which I would recommend to anyone about to stay in Paris for a while, it makes everything make so much more sense. One thing that sticks with me is what he said about the apartments, you can be in bed ‘making love’ (how Parisian) whilst washing up they are so small. My own addition, how to be Parisian on the metro: look like you want to end your life there and then, tut if there is an interruption and listen to music with huge headphones. The rabbit is pretty cool though...

The best parts

Without a doubt the visits from people and with people. Nick moving me out and then coming out for his birthday weekend, the parents coming out and me tiring them out with sightseeing, meeting up with Carly and of course the weekend with Rosie.

And of course, there was the little trip up to Saint Malo and Mont Saint Michel with Flora and her parents. Also my little surprise on nan and granddad going back for the weekend and the two occasions of being back in Bath and attempting to catch up with advanced (not to much avail).

In conclusion, have I enjoyed it? Yes, but not as much as I would have if I had had my family and friends out here (that includes UOBLBDC).

So what have I learnt specifically from the year abroad so far?

1)     This is obvious: it ruins dance and the French don’t do technique like we do in England, thanks Paula, James, Asia and Jon, my expectations are now too high to enjoy dance quite so much anywhere else!

2)     It takes 5 months to get to know people, and then you leave.

3)     And finally, of course, a bit of French.