Hannah Simpson - VIC to France

Thu 14 Jan 2010

Hannah Simpson, from Mansfield VIC, is currently in France on a 3 month Summer Explorer program. She recently wrote to us to discuss the ups and downs she’s been having. She writes:

"Hey SEA!

I'm loving it here! There of course has been ups and downs but it is sooo worth it! When I arrived in France my first experience was lost baggage! So not good! And I instantly got on the phone to my mum and cried and told her I want to go home. But she told me just to stick it out =]

I then met my host family. It was nothing like I expected but they are the nicest people ever!! They were really helpful with my lost baggage and lent me clothes and stuff and let me have my space because I was soo tired!! 3 days later my baggage came and it got better from there! I'm staying in a really small town which is soo beautiful! My family take me in a lot to the main centre of Le Mans which is even more beautiful!! =]

I’ve experienced the snow over here which is so much better than the snow back home! haha. And when I was home alone one day I was on Skype with my mother and wanted to show her the snow outside on webcam so I took the computer outside... I had no jumper, no shoes and I accidentally locked the door behind me!! So my mother called my school who then called Student Exchange Australia, who then called my host mum, who then called my host dad to come home from work 30mins away to let me in!! Mind you... it was minus 5!! ahh!! haha At the time it was really upsetting and my computer ran flat and I didn't have my mobile but now... I can laugh about it! it was a really good experience!.. Just not at the time! haha =p

My family has also taken me to Paris over the holidays and I saw a lot and made me love France even more! Since I’ve been here I’ve been organising my return trip or a year after I finish school =]

The language is pretty difficult especially when you know people are talking about you right in front of you! But I’ve been here about 2 months already and i'm getting pretty good at it which is really good!

My main worries about coming here were not making friends, the language, the school and my host family... but they've all turned out fantastic! I’ve realised since I’ve been here that if you want life experiences you have to go out there and get them yourself, because one day no one will be there to push you along. Like an exchange.. You’re on your own... it's scary yes, but so sooo worth it! =]

A bientot!

Hannah"

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