Coucou tout le monde !!!

Oh la la ... It's my last day in the Mission Locale de Lille today and buoyyy does this feel strange.  In many ways I don't feel like I could possibly be leaving tomorrow... I've become so attached to this city and project  in a weird way; even more so the the people I have met.  They have been incredible.  Going for a drink with my 2 closest friends last night, knowing it was the last time just the 3 of us whilst we would all be living in the same place was really quite emotional (yes a few tears may have already been shed).  I can't begin to describe how I'm feeling because I don't even know myself.

Tonight will be my leaving party and in styylllleeee .... Well let's face it, how else to leave with a bang than to leave with SALSA :-D I'm hoping there will be quite a few people there and a LOT of dancing.  Although I can't promise a sober night hehe ... Before we're going out I have to try Hungarian alcohol apparently and already promised a Mohito in the bar, ooooo weeee :-) There may be a slight bit of sleeping on the trains tomorrow ...

Over the last weekend I had 2 friends visiting from the UK and it was so great.  We went out with the other volunteers on Friday night (couple o' beers and a good dance), went sightseeing, for a meal and girly gossiping Saturday and chilling out and Chinese Restaurant Sunday.  It's been like this non stop for a while now, with having managed to fit in graduation last week (BSc Hons Psychology with 1st Class Honours) and my awards ceremony in London for the Your Story Poetry competition I came second in (at the British Council hehe).  Tomorrow afternoon when I get home will involve.... sleep, tv, sleep, tv, sleep and hey, more sleep !!!

Now I need to dash off ... I need to do a couple of videos, 1 in French and 1 in English, where I will answer a few questions for mini interviews about my experience.  Oh the joy .... I'm not great on camera anyhow but then the added stress of this silly cold grating in does not help :-P

WOW, I'm back to living in England TOMORROW.  That doesn't sound right !!! I can't wait to see and spend time with my loved ones, but next year, I'm determined that I will discover another continent.  My journey has just begun.  EVS has given me my wings to fly .....

I think I just made myself a little sick hahahahaha ..... I don't think I could get any cheesier :-) But I mean everything I say ! It has been a truly amazing experience.

"In the First Class, Rebekah Louise Warburton" ... That's what they said :-D

Me and Vaila with our Your Story prizes

Raphael, Ash and Vaila in Trafalgar square

Biljana (Serbian volunteer), Me and " friends from UK :-D

We know how to partyyy

Me and Eszter last night in the Grand Place...Lille is beautiful at Xmas!!!

Some Thoughts and Reflections

As my project is coming to an end (into the final 2 weeks and 4 of those days will be spent in England) I have been doing some reflecting on what this project has meant to me.  It has affected me in many ways and it's impossible to summarise it just into a short paragraph, but below are some points I thought I could make (although it is by no means extensive hehe):

Funny things in France

• The French love to write everythinnnnggggg down ! I'm not joking, they ALWAYS have a notebook with them hehe
• The French are very proud of their food ! (And to be fair, they have every right)
•  I have never kissed so much in my life ! You have to give everyone in the room "bisous"... a kiss on each cheek, when you see them for the first time in the day (unless professional people or people you don't know).  Even us volunteers have began doing among each other !! Culturally immersed n all that ;-)
•  Facial expressions - watch a French person speaking French ;-)

Memorable moments

To name a few ...

• The English workshops ... It's always great to see somebody enjoying speaking English and learning with me !
• Laughing with colleagues .... Naturally I don't always understand the jokes but I have began to; Anyhow it's always funny when they take the mick out of me.
•  Dancing ... Oh how I love to dance ... It's my new passion in my life and it's not that often that something becomes that important to me that I can call it a passion :D
•  Meeting the AMAZING volunteers from other countries and from France... They are all fantastic and I hope to keep in touch with each and every one.

Expectations when I arrived in France

It seems I didn't have too many ... Just can't think at the moment !

• That my project would have a large language focus.
• That activities outside of project hours would be organised.

Actual reality

• Wow that makes it sound like reality sucks ... But it really doesn't !
• I had a language focus in the first couple of weeks to help me get settled.
• I was responsible for English workshops.
•  I developed materials for the volunteers.
•  I was responsible for my own free time and for meeting people.  As it happens, this didn't turn out to be a bad thing as it meant I had to really make an effort.

What I have learned throughout this process

• Time management
• Organisational skills
• Gained in confidence and maturity
• Many cultural differences between the UK and France, as well as the UK and other countries

Words / Phrases I have learned that have realllly stuck

• Zut / Flut / MERDE !!!
• J'ai la dall
• Kay
• Je suis excitée .... I thought it just meant "I'm excited" i.e. to go somewhere ... So now I realise for 6 months I've said "I'm horny" ... hehehe oops !

And others I just shouldn't say !

What I need to do for the future

• Maintain motivation when things are difficult
• Follow my dreams (cheesy I know)

Difficult points throughout project

• Definitely the communication in the language.  I was extremely scared when I arrived and French people were scared of talking to me in case they couldn't speak English when I was stuck.  Also, I've been mocked several times due to my accent, which has now and again dinted my confidence to talk.
• Sometimes I have struggled to be creative within my project, which I think is due to using my creative juices to the maximum in final year at uni (so generally just being tired).
• Sometimes money management ... trains are incredibly expensive in France and seeing as I'm scared of being in a car with somebody driving who I don't know, carpooling (covoiturage, famous in France) doesn't work out too great for me.

Overall, I hope that this been interesting to read.  I shall write one of my more regular chattering blogs soon when I grab a moment.  For now, I am preparing my Youth Pass; a document designed for any European Voluntary Service participants to write about their experiences and have it signed by their coordinator in the Welcoming Organisation. 

J'ai aussi commencé ma demande pour un Masters, mais je te tiens au courant ;-) J'espère que ce sera un succès !!!

Me with volunteers, rather ... erm ... tipsy :-)

A très bientôt mes amis ! BISOUS :D :D :D

My Poem in French ! :D

ÉLARGISSEMENT DES HORIZONS

Mon Expérience "Jeunesse en Action"

Il y a des expériences dans la vie qui sont si rares

Soudain là, vous surprennent, vous invitent

"Jeunesse en action" a eu cet effet exact

Sur ma vie, il me semble que mes choix au plus profond ont été agités

Une histoire de passion, d'enthousiasme et d'audace

Grandir comme une personne avec l'occasion une fois sur un million

Ne se sentant plus le besoin de se cacher comme un caméléon.

Découvert par erreur, je pensais rêver

"Everything is Possible" à Leeds a assuré le contraire

Avec les documents signés et mentalement prête

J'ai laissé derrière moi au Royaume-Uni; toute ma vie connue et sûre

Voyager vite à Lille en France dans le sommet du moment

Un changement dans ma vie pour toujours se souvenir

Mais un projet qui se terminera au mois de Décembre.

Dès le premier de Juin j'ai vraiment été plongée

La vie française devient l'habitude, leurs coutumes enracinées

Pour la file d'attente dans les magasins et le besoin d'être patient ?

Je ne crois pas en France, pour être à l'avant tout le monde aspire

Ou à travailler dur toute la journée et faire la fête pendant la nuit

Je pense que oui dans ce pays vivant et bourdonnant

Où les soirées (veillées dans la maison d'un ami)

Faire chaque semaine accueillante et lumineuse.

Dans le projet, j'ai grandi et je me suis développée

Je travaille avec des jeunes du même âge

Comprendre des implications d'une ville avec beaucoup de chômage

Où tout ce que les personnes veulent, c'est un salaire simple

Entre les âges de 18 et 30, la vie difficile à vivre confortablement

Jusqu'à ce que le Service Volontaire Européen, comme il l'a fait pour moi

Leur donne une raison de sentir qu'ils peuvent voler.

Offrir des ateliers en anglais pour ceux qui partiront

En leur donnant la confiance nécessaire pour se lever et commencer

Ils vont, comme moi, se déplacer vers un autre pays

Ainsi, dans le plus court des temps, j'ai développé des compétences

Pour renforcer leur confiance et pour eux de vraiment avoir la volonté

Pour parler anglais en toute confiance avec un sourire sur leur visage

Et ne pas sentir que le processus d'apprentissage est une grande compétition.

Malgré cela, les papillons voletaient la première fois que j'étais

En face d'un groupe avec des visages vides, la vie incomprise

Pour les inciter à apprendre quand leurs études n'avaient pas trouvé des emplois

C'était un défi pour moi, pour évoquer une réponse

Adapter les techniques et le développement des ressources

Pour enseigner l'anglais de façon unique et individuelle, afin qu'ils puissent s’y rapporter

Ne se sentant pas, comme à l'école, où votre esprit est gouverné par l'état.

Le défi à partir de là était de continuer cette croissance

D'adapter aux besoins de chaque volontaire individuellement

D'établir des niveaux de compréhension et des capacités de parler

Pour leur permettre de s'épanouir en anglais et être autonome

Ne s'Inquiétant pas de faire des erreurs dans un monde où le perfectionnisme est stress

Où l'attente de soi peut vous forcer à se cacher derrière d'un masque

Au lieu de les aider à réaliser qu'ils étaient capables de cette tâche.

En plus des ateliers d’anglais, j'ai accompli de nombreuses tâches

Tels que des documents visant à préparer les volontaires dans tous les sens

Avec des exercices comme l'évaluation des compétences qu'ils possèdent déjà

Où je puisse montrer leurs aptitudes fortes

Alors que dans le même temps je développe ma capacité à organiser

Et d'évaluer ce qui est nécessaire avant qu'une expérience change la vie

Donc j'ai eu à concevoir des tâches créatives et stimulantes.

De plus, j'ai créé un document visant à promouvoir

Ce service merveilleux de comme il m'a aidé, il peut aider

Les futurs volontaires que "La Mission Locale de Lille" va envoyer à l'étranger

Grâce à des photos, vidéos et témoignages des volontaires sur des projets

Les jeunes au départ peuvent devenir des promoteurs d'un régime pleine de promesse

Avec les conseils sur la façon de faire cela que j'ai écrit

L'art de la communication pour répandre la parole et frapper.

Frappé est le mot pour mes sentiments pour ce pays et ce projet

Après avoir été prise dans ce tourbillon de façon inimaginable

Maintenant l'intention de rester et de continuer mon développement personnel

J'ai commencé la recherche d'emplois dans l'aventure de la vie sans fin

Donc pour l'instant je vous dis merci pour cette opportunité "Jeunesse en action"

Qui a changé ma vie de tant de manières que les mots ne peuvent pas décrire

Vers de nouveaux horizons les envoyer positivement lutter pour le meilleur.

Passing in the Blink of an Eye

Wow I can't believe that it's nearly 2 weeks ago since I said my parents were about to arrive!!! That's seems completely crazy because I simply do not know where the time has gone.  It was absolutely amazing to have them here, to share the culture with them and introduce them to the great people I have met here.  It's just a shame they couldn't stay longer to be honest because there is so much more to see!

First night in my fave bar with the parents :D

Throughout the week I showed them so many things.  We started with dancing Salsa on the first night they were here.  I think that was an education in itself!!! And they certainly joined in (I've got videos and pictures to show it).  It is very cool to be able to take my parents out like that! We visited Lille, including the park, the zoo and the old town, as well as other things, such as the huge Wazemmes Sunday Market.  A lovely woman that works here and her husband took us all to Brugges on the Monday, we visited the awesome couple I stayed with when I was 17 years old, in a tiny village called Grivesnes near Amiens the Tuesday and spent the day in Paris the Wednesday.  As you can imagine, all very tiring but incredible, with plenty of gorgeous food eaten along the way (homemade by the 2 couples and in restaurants!).

Mum, me and Benedicte in Brugges !

Visiting the primary school I did an exchange in when 17 years old in Grivesnes

Parents very happy to be up the Eiffel Tower

Laughs all around as we visit different parts of Lille !

Since my parents left on Saturday I've already been busy !!! On Monday I had a one-to-one Advanced English workshop on the morning. It was so great because it was a young person who would normally be too shy to talk in groups, but when it was just us, she was really starting to join in the conversation well.  We did a lot of pronunciation practise by reading through the leaflets I brought from England.  They were rather complicated, so after reading through for pronunciation, we then read through again to look for sentence structures and vocabulary that were particularly hard.  When I couldn't explain it in English, rather than turning to French speaking I used drawings, which worked so well.

On the Monday afternoon, I went with Yves to Douai, a town not too far away, to visit Fabienne who works there in La Mission Locale de Douaisis.  I have had a lot of contact with Fabienne because young people come from la Mission Locale there to here for my English workshops.  Yves and I attended a meeting with around 10 young people who are possibly interested in doing a European Voluntary Service project.  I talked a little about what it's like doing a project and just generally about myself, as well as being asked questions.  Afterwards, we briefly visited the offices and met other people who work there, which was great, before dashing back on the train.

Yesterday afternoon (Tuesday), I went to the Service Civique Internationale (SCI), where the 2 volunteers Biljana and Eszter are based.  We had all worked with four short-term French volunteers for their pre-departure training before the attended a 4 week environmental project in Turkey.  As they had just returned, we had an evaluation event with them.  It was very interesting to hear about their experiences (both good and bad!) and to see all the beautiful photos!

The best thing I want to talk about today has to be my latest 2nd place win ;-) In September I wrote a poem for a competition that the British Council ran for Youth In Action participants.  In the writing category I got 2nd place in the UK, followed by another girl in 3rd place also from Everything is Possible in Leeds. How great is that ?! On the 24th November we will both be attending an awards ceremony in London, accompanied by Ash and Raphaël from Everything is Possible :D :D I'm so pleased for us both and for our amazing sending organisation !!!   Also, with my poetry I've got so much I've written previously (in fact my own little book) but I've only ever had the nerve to publish a few through Facebook, so it is so gratifying to know that the first time I do dare, it really pays off :D Certainly a welcome addition to my CV anyhow!!!

If you would like to see the poem, please feel free to go to this website and follow the link to "Youth in Action".  There you will see my name ;-)

http://competition.lifelonglearningprogramme.org.uk/

For now I'm going to head off.  I can't believe I'm leaving 3 weeks today and that all the tickets are booked.  It's going to be the end of a very profound and life-changing experience, but at the same time the start of a new chapter in my life, which is incredibly exciting.  The life of a volunteer is not necessarily easy, but it is so interesting.  You meet so many amazing people whom you know sooner or later you will have to say bye to, but who will always be a part of your life and who you may once again see one day.  We had to say goodbye to a great volunteer from Azerbaidjan on Monday, Elshan, who left Tuesday morning after his 6 month project.  He is now a great friend and will always be in touch :-)

Just a final note, if you want a giggle, ask a French person with a strong English accent to say either "sheet" or "beach" ! I also find "rowing" is pronounced reallllly cute ;-) I'm cheeky I know !!!

Passé une bonne semaine tout le monde !!