Amelia Taylor - VIC to France

Fri 09 Jan 2009

Amelia Taylor from Ivanhoe Girls' Grammar School in VIC is currently on our Summer Explorer Program to France. Here is her latest news.

I've finally found the time to send you an update on my exchange. Sorry it has taken so long. I've been a busy exchange student.

I'm on day 44 of my 2 month exchange and so far I've enjoyed every minute.

My life here is a really big change from my city life in Melbourne. I live in a small town, what I'd call a country town, near the coast of Brittany in France. The scenery is gorgeous and it's all rolling hills and cobble stone streets. I go to school in a town called Hennebont where I am a regular in the Boulangerie. The weather is of course freezing and it rains a whole lot here in Brittany! I stand at the bus stop every morning and I'm not so fond of the rain and snow in the mornings all that much.

My host family is lovely and, although having younger siblings is different for me and sometimes a challenge, we are all getting along great. We go to the beach and for New Year celebrations I was lucky enough to travel up to Lille with my host mum's family.

My taste buds have also gotten a work out in France where I swear I've tried every type of meat that is edible. Chicken, beef, salmon, rabbit, goose, duck, fish, you name it, I've tried it. And I still find it funny that we honestly have baguette with every meal. I love the boulangerie with all the cakes and sweets I could dream of. I'm coming home with a few extra kilos under my belt I think.

School is my favourite aspect of my exchange and I feel I've made some life long friends. I go to the local Lyce and I take the bus to and from school everyday. Everyone at my school has been so helpful to me right from the start and they are always willing to play charades with me when I can't explain something. My favourite class is definitely Table Tennis! I think Australian schools should consider taking this as a subject because it's just hilarious!

My French is coming along. I'm a little shy to speak it but I know I've gained a lot of knowledge and I feel I understand much of what people are saying now. I still find speaking difficult but it has definitely improved since my arrival.

I was lucky enough to travel over the holidays here and we went to Fromelles right along the Belgium border. I got to see the Australian War museum and it was very interesting to see the Australian heritage in France. I was definitely a very proud Australian to visit the Western Front and learn about the war. New Years Eve was also a highlight with not only a big party to attend, but a French Marriage Civil Ceremony too!

I've gained so much experience, independence and life-long knowledge from this exchange so far and it has helped me gain a new found confidence in my self and my own personality.

I honestly can't think of a better way to have spent these last 44 days.

A belated Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from France,

Amelia Taylor

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