Mid-Term Training

I can’t believe I am just about half way through my project already! Where did all the time go please??? Lol.  It’s absolutely flying by, but you know what they say… “Time flies when you’re having fun”.  And I am certainly loving every minute of being out here in France!  I just wish I had more time on this specific project in all honesty.

I arrived back from the South of France on Sunday evening (after a long train ride finishing with a LOT of very excited children who had just been to Disneyland).  I went from the Monday 22^nd August, and had my mid-term training the Monday to Thursday in a village called Sommières between Nîmes and Montpellier.  It was sooo quaint, with old buildings and a river, and really not a lot of people.  There was also a great night market, where suddenly all the streets came to life :-)

The mid-term training was completely different to the on-arrival training.  The on-arrival training had a big focus on welcoming us to the country and lots of linguistic activities.  This training was more focussed on what we had gained so far, if we had changed and possibilities after our projects.

Full Group Work :-)

To start with, we spent a good amount of time really getting to know each other.  It was really great being able to share and compare experiences with one another.  Every person’s experience on their EVS project differed greatly and so did what they had taken from their projects personally so far.  It was so interesting because there were many different countries represented among us; England, Spain, Germany, Azerbaijan, Hungary, Italy and a few others, meaning that our outlooks on our experiences also differed according to the country we had come from.  Talk about broadening horizons :-)

A work-in-progress - organising post-its for the pyramid

Another activity we did that I found incredibly beneficial was the Motivation Pyramid.  We had to reconsider our motivations from the on-arrival training and establish whether they had changed or not.  I found mine had definitely altered in terms of what I feel is important to me now compared with back in June.  We used post-it notes, with Green representing motivations we have met, Orange being those we hadn’t quite reached but were working on and Pink were those too difficult or impossible to obtain.

The Motivation Pyramid was an activity where we could work on our own and really reflect, but not all the activities were designed in this way.  On the Wednesday morning, we were taken to a table (outside in the beautiful sun), where there were boxes of rice, lots of balloons, some paper and scissors.  The leader told us we had 45 minutes to make 3 juggling balls each and to learn to juggle using a video on the computer.  There were also a couple of example balls on the table.  As you can imagine, straight away most people went storming in (me included) trying to do it alone.. Eventually, we worked together mainly in pairs and although people used many different techniques, we all succeeded in making the 3 balls (not so much in juggling hehehe).

Making the juggling balls (granted, a messy process)

This led on to us looking at the Youth Pass.  We evaluated the juggling exercise to realise the skills we used that we had already had, and those we gained through doing the exercise… Not necessarily concerning how to make the balls but skills such as initiative and team work.  These are skills we need to discuss when completely the Youth Pass, which will be a kind of summary of the EVS experience, signed by the tutor in the project.  It’s a way of demonstrating to future employers what you learned on your voluntary project and what responsibilities you had, so can really be quite beneficial :D So throughout the exercise we really started thinking about the skills we had already used in our projects, and I found it very refreshing to realise that I really have used a lot of beneficial skills, that not only did I have before, but ones I have developed since arriving.

My group presenting "Travailler en France"

Another activity we did, that we finished the training off with, was in groups we had to present a certain topic area that we researched to the rest of the volunteers.  In my group we researched working in France and found some really important information out.  Through this group work I also realised I would really like to live here when my project finishes, so I really hope that it is possible!!!

Justine and I out for a meal in the centre of Avignon

Following the seminar, everyone went their own ways and it was kind of sad to say bye to so many cool people! Despite this, I went to Avignon for 3 nights (the South of France is beautiful with great weather).  For years I’ve had a penpal online that I’ve never been able to meet (we had no money... no surprise there!).  Finally I could spend 3 nights with her, her boyfriend and friends, and it was great!  So thanks a lot to Justine for making my mini holiday down south great :D

It's a hard life...

For now, I’m back at La Mission Locale, full of energy and enthusiasm :D I know now that I have 3 months left and have to make the most of it, whilst really making the best of my free time to research how to stay in France from the 1^st of December.  Anyone got any ideas? :-)

Les Ateliers Anglaises – Les Débutantes !!!

Alors, il fait du soleil dehors et je suis dans mon bureau – typique !!! Mais je pensais… Il faut que je fasse mon blog de temps en temps en français.  Comme ça, je peux démontrer comment j’ai amélioré (ou si je n’ai pas… comme vous voulez !).  Depuis je suis arrivée, j’ai essayé très fort de parler souvent en français, mais c’est très difficile en fait.  D’abord, quand je parle avec beaucoup d’amis, ils disent « oooo il est nécessaire que je pratique mon anglais avec toi ».  En réponse, normalement je dis « mais une raison j’ai venu en France est pour mon français ».  Alors, ils ne comprennent pas héhé.  Aussi, il y a beaucoup d’autres volontaires qui parlent l' anglais couramment… Mais ils peuvent continuer de pratiquer l’anglais avec moi et le français… L’anglais est ma langue native !!!  Puis, même-si je comprends bien les conversations dans les groupes qui parlent le français, c’est près d’impossible de joindre quand ils parlent très très vite ! Donc j’ai décidé aujourd’hui que je dois pratiquer mon français.  Si vous voulez comprendre, on peut utiliser Google Translate :-P

Ok – Mes ateliers.  Aujourd’hui, je suis un peu triste (pas triste exactement mais je ne peux pas trouver un autre mot).  Pour mon atelier pour les jeunes qui peuvent parlé un peu d’anglais il n’avait personne qui est arrivé !  Mais je suis très contente avec mes débutantes ! Premièrement, c’étais très difficile avec mon préparation pour les débutantes… Comment on peut commencer les cours ?  Comment on peut s’engager les jeunes ?  Quels types de sujets ?  Combien de temps dans chaque exercice ?  Mais après beaucoup de recherche,  je décidais qu’une ambiance plus relaxé était mieux pour la première cour. 

Nous avons discutés qu’est-ce qu’ils veulent faire dans les ateliers.  Je veux qu’ils aient la confiance avec moi.  Après, j’ai fait un peu de travail avec les numéros et l’alphabet.  Bien sûr, leur connaissance de la langue n’est pas complètement comme un débutant.  C’est plus qu’ils ont oubliés beaucoup de choses après du lycée.  Finalement, j’ai fait 2 exercices avec le transport et les phrases très simples.  Je pense que c’étais un succès pour mon premier essaye.  Jai eu beaucoup d’attentes de moi-même et en fait j’étais contente.

Pour le 2iéme atelier, premièrement j’ai commencé avec un jeu avec les numéros… alors ce n’étais pas très excitant.  Toutefois, c’est toujours bien de pratiquer les numéros !!!  Quand j’ai dit les numéros, ils ont les notés… donc toute de suite ils ont pensés en anglais.  Après, j’ai fait un exercice avec l’alphabet, avec la question « peut-on épeler ……. s'il vous plaît ? »  . J’ai donné les listes de 5 objets de chaque jeune.   Ca marché bien je pense !  Après les numéros et l’alphabet, on a fait les exercices d’apprendre les meubles (avec un jeu) et finalement beaucoup de travail avec comment on peut dire l’heure !

La fontaine dans la grande place

Après les exercices, je pensais il a fait du soleil dehors, donc avec les jeunes j’ai marche sur la rue centrale.  Nous avons pris les photos avec mon appareil photo et discutés les noms des objets.  C’étais très utile pour les jeunes, parce que c’étais plus visuelle.  C’est positive parce quand on marche, on peut voir les trucs qui sont peut-être très importante dans les autres pays.  Par exemple, « les feus rouges / verts = traffic lights », « la gare = train station » ou « une poubelle = bin ». 

L'Opera de Lille

Après l’atelier, j’ai fait un dossier avec les photos et touts les nouveaux mots.  Je vais les donner des jeunes dans mon atelier prochain.  J’espère à l’ avenir, s’il fait beau, je vais faire plus dehors.  C’est plus intéressant, et pas juste pour les jeunes mais moi aussi !!!  Mais sans aucun doute, il pleut et il fait du vent ici plus de quand il fait beau! Mdr J

Plus de mes ateliers, je fais les autres choses dans mon projet.  Par exemple, j’ai aidé une jeune qui va partir ce vendredi pour un projet à Leeds en Angleterre.  Elle a eu les soucis avec quelques choses, donc j’ai les discuté avec elle, et j’ai appelé l’organisation d’accueil (Everything is Possible).  C’est aussi mon organisation d’envoi en fait !  En plus, j’ai envoyé les contrats pour les jeunes qui vont commencer les projets à l’étranger en Septembre, et j’ai fais un peu de préparation pour un nouveau page de FB pour la Mission Locale de Lille. 

Ok, maintenant je dois pratiquer un peu ma grammaire français (et peut-être si vous êtes français vous comprenez pourquoi !!) donc je vais finir.  Pour cette lecture, je n’ai pas utilisé soit mon dictionnaire soit mon livre de la grammaire, juste ma tête.  J’espère que vous avez bien compris, et prenez soin de vous.  A bientôt… Bisous (on doit donner les bisous héhé).    

Rue de Béthune - La rue centrale pour le shopping à Lille

2 Months Down, 4 To Go

I can’t believe how fast the time is flying at the moment.  How exactly did 2 months manage to pass already? It just seems like last week that I arrived here.  It has taken me until now to really start branching out in my life here and I am really starting to settle in.  I am getting to a point where I know the good places to go (mainly bars!), the best places to shop, where not to go, etc.  Although don’t get me wrong, I have so much more to discover yet!  I plan on making the best of my remaining 4 months here to do that.  I’ve finally started making friends with more French people too, which often proves to be difficult when I can really be quite shy at times with new people (you wouldn’t think so hehe), never mind when attempting to speak my 2^nd language.

Citadelle Park, 20 minutes walk from my place, 10 minutes from my office

In terms of the cultural differences here, there are so many! For example, in England when you clink glasses and say cheers when spending times with friends, you don’t necessarily look them in the eyes.  Here, when you say “Santé” (health) or what ever else, it is so rude not to look at each person individually in the eyes.  In fact, apparently it’s bad luck if you don’t and you will have bad sex for a certain period of time (really not making this up!).  It’s also rude if when shaking a person’s hand you aren’t looking at them in the eyes; something I just wouldn’t worry about in England.

Also, if you are out in a bar or relaxing with a big group of friends, you really would not know amongst that group who there was in a romantic relationship.  I met a group of Americans who had done some research on French romantic relationships and it appears they are so different to English or American relationships.  In England or the U.S.A., if you were out with your partner, regardless of who was there, you would probably most of the time be next to them, either holding hands or at least with some bodily contact (or at least in my experience and from discussions).  It’s almost like putting a stamp on that person and saying “they are mine” hehe.  Whereas here, it is far more relaxed.  You could be talking to many different people throughout the night (male or female) and at the end you will come back together, but not necessarily hold hands or anything until you are on your own.  There has been some interesting conversations about these differences!!!

The French also love their “Soirées”.  These are gathering at people’s houses, normally with a lot of beer (this is after all the region of beer, right next door to Belgium, with the Flemish influence).  Not that I complain… 1) It’s so easy to just relax and gossip at a person’s house and 2) It’s beer, what more is there to say!!!  Normally, most people will also have a cigarette in their hand.  Health campaigns do not seem to have an impact here – I’ve never seen so many people smoke!  There is always somebody outside our office “’avin a fag”… C’est dommage (it’s a shame)!

A beer in a relaxing bar :-) A "Monaco" and a "Desperados"

When not at house gatherings, why not hit the bars?! Lille has a great variety, from cheap relaxed bars near where I leave in an area called Wazemmes, to posh bars in Vieux Lille (the old part of the town).  This area has so many beautiful buildings, but everything is just a tad expensive.  However a great thing I’ve discovered there is Salsa!!!  Free lessons every week… amazing.  I’ve already seen a few salsa bars and had a couple of lessons… Gotta get my groove on!  My friends and I have decided that’s definitely our weekly “rendez-vous”: Mercredi, 20h, Baobab Café hehehehehehe.  Wow, I’m starting to sound like a tour guide!

A picnic with friends (on a rare sunny day)... I took the pic!

Another very French thing is that they love their picnics.  This was one of the first things anyone told me here.  If the weather is nice, grab a sarnie and nip to the closest park.  I often do this at the fountain at Beaux Arts… Just sit and relax whilst eating my lunch.  It’s a great way to unwind ready for an afternoon of work.  I also love just watching the world go by.

In terms of seeing any more of the country and other countries, I haven’t really travelled yet as I’ve been trying more to settle here, but all that is to come.  I may pop to Luxembourg in a week and a half (figured why not).  I’ll travel by Covoiturage (check it out online – you can share petrol costs) and Couchsurf for accommodation (stay for free on somebody’s sofa). I will also go to Montpellier (South France) in 2 and a half weeks for my midterm training and afterwards I will travel around the South for a few days.  I may even go into Italy for a couple of days if my funds allow me to.  Then in September, I’m going to Barcelona in Spain for 4 days. I also went to Brussels in Belgium back in June.  So I’m not doing badly really… You can really make a volunteer budget go far if you know how!

That’s all from me for now about cultural differences.  I shall update soon regarding how the project is going.  I can’t complain… I am very happy in my life in Lille, despite constantly being frustrated with my level of French!  But hey, slow progress is better than no progress at all.  Anybody who may think going to another country is a sure-fire way to learn the language is wrong. It takes hard work and motivation, with a lot of commitment, but it is all worth it!!!

Giving my first presentation in French :-)