Emily Arlidge - QLD to France

Tue 28 Apr 2009

Emily Arlidge, from Stanthorpe in QLD, is taking a GAP year in Europe this year after finishing high school in 2008. She is on a semester program in France before she begins her own travels in the second half of the year.

Emily recently wrote to us to give everyone an update on her adventures thus far:

"My journey began over two months ago in January. After a long flight, I farewelled my fellow exchange students and caught the train to Rouen, sleepily taking in the beautiful winter countryside that was to be my new surroundings. In Rouen I was met by my new family: Nathalie and Maxime (host parents), Remy and Yann (host brothers) and Emilie (host sister, and yes, having the same name can be confusing). Rouen is the capital of Upper Normandy, famous for the great Notre Dame Cathedral of Rouen and its many other churches, museums and the area's production of fine cheeses and apples. I live about 40 minutes from the city in a place called St Pierre du Bosguérard so this country setting is a nice reminder of where I live in Australia.

I go to school in a neighbouring city and get there by bus every morning. After my arrival on that chilly weekend back in January, by the Monday I was already attending Lycée in -1S2 (Premiere class, like grade 11, scientific). I met so many people that the next day I had to start introductions all over again. Apart from initially forgetting most names and faces, I was settled in quickly.

I have a love/hate relationship with my timetable. I catch the bus at 8am most days and finish from about 3.30pm to 5.30pm at night. On Wednesdays we have a half day and finish at lunchtime. My subjects are all scientific and, as I finished grade 12 in Australia taking the arts classes, this was initially quite a shock. I do physics, chemistry, biology, maths, English, French, social class, sport, history and geography so it's very full on. Luckily, my teachers aren't too concerned about my scientific capabilities and are happy for me to watch, listen and learn my French. My class is very friendly and supportive and at first when I couldn’t understand a word, they were quite happy to explain things in English for me.

Just for clarification, I am yet to meet a French person that completely represents the stereotype that we have of them. Just like most Australians don't ride kangaroos to school, jump on crocodiles and say 'Oh Crikey!' on a daily basis, most French people aren't grumpy and ill-tempered.

My host family is wonderful. Being an only child in Australia, it is great being able to have an older host sister and two younger host brothers. My host sister and I got along extremely well before I even arrived. She studies chemistry in university and, as well as having my own friends from school, she has introduced me to all of hers as well. My host parents originate from Africa so, as well as being able to expose me to the French culture, I have also tried a lot of African food and been introduced to a lot of the music. I have already been to Paris twice and will be travelling there two more times in the next couple of weeks. It only takes us an hour and a half by car and I am especially lucky to be so close to the beautiful capital city.

I can’t say I have been homesick yet. After a month I was a little emotional about my new, tiring routine and struggling with French, but as for really missing home, quite frankly, I haven’t had time! Everything about France is different – the cars drive on the wrong side of the road; all of my favourite TV shows are dubbed; and the computer keyboards are weird. The food is the best surprise. So far I have tried snails, crepes, frogs legs, the best cheeses, French salamis, chocolate éclairs, baguette (which they eat every day)… The list goes on. Breakfast is a chocolate feast – Nesquik, Nutella, chocolate cereal and croissants. Everything I do is an adventure and, while I absolutely love France, it has made me appreciate what a great country Australia is as well. Everything Australian makes me gleam with pride – one day in Rouen I saw two musicians in the street playing didgeridoos and every now and then there will be something Australian on TV.

So far I have made plenty of blunders. In my first week I got on the wrong bus; last week I lost my credit card to a hungry ATM; and with my accent people constantly get confused about what I am saying. In the end, I realise that making mistakes is inevitable and only help fulfil my experience.

After June when my exchange is over, I will continue on my own independent travels before heading back home in December. While this will be an exciting experience for me before I start university in Australia, I think the highlight of my trip will be my time on exchange. It’s hard to find a better way to experience a culture as the constant exposure almost bullies you into enjoying it and within a matter of weeks you gain and learn so much.

My language is slowly (but surely) progressing. My school friends call it 'franglais'. I think even if you have been learning French for years before arriving here, it is still a shock to start off with. Everyone speaks very quickly and French has things like ‘verbe pronominaux’, which is non-existent in English. While it may seem impossible at the start, when you get to the point that I am at now, going from nothing to being able to understand and respond, the struggle is definitely worth it!

I am past the halfway mark for my exchange and in the April/May holidays I am looking forward to two holidays – the first to Bretagne (in English, Brittany) with my host family to enjoy the sunshine and eat the famous crepes, and the second to the South of France in the Alps with my class for a holiday of rock climbing, hiking, canoeing and camping.

On my first trip to Paris I saw the Eiffel Tower twice: once in the afternoon and the second time at night. My host family told me that they wanted me to see why Paris was called the City of Lights. As I watched the monument glittering blue, the reality of being halfway across the world in such a beautiful country finally hit me. I am very lucky to be here!"

Emily

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