Life Lately

I guess it goes without saying that I'm not the best at keeping up with a blog. But lots of exciting things have happened in the last three months! Here's what life has been like lately:

The two classes that I chose at the university are "Multiculturalism" that meets once a week and "Keys for a Sustainable Environment" that meets twice a week. Multiculturalism is great - the professor is used to having international students in his class, and everything we talk about is interesting. "Keys for a Sustainable Environment" hasn't been as interesting as I had hoped. It's a big lecture class that meets twice a week with two different professors, both of whom have been helpful so far. The French university is so different from UNC. Classes are a lot more laid back - students get up and leave when they feel like it and talk loudly to each other over the teacher - it's impossible to hear the professor unless you're in one of the first few rows. Students don't just hang out on campus in between classes like we do at UNC, and it's not as common to be involved in clubs, sports, etc. Every building on campus has a different design and is a different color, and most of the buildings are fairly run down, but I think it looks kind of cool. 

In addition to the two classes at the university, we have two French classes at Accent Français - Oral and Written Expression, and Methodology. 

Carol likes to set people up with volunteer opportunities, and I have gotten involved at a middle school. Once a week (supposedly - it's actually been more like every two weeks) I get to go to an English class and help the professor. It has been really interesting and really fun the few times that I have gone!

Carol also got me set up with a family who needs a babysitter. I have only babysat a few times (a girl and a boy), but it's great practice for my French and cool to meet another family in Montpellier. 

One of the best parts of the past three months has been the opportunity to travel. Over the weekends, I have been to Giverny (to see Claude Monet's home and gardens); Barcelona, Spain; Paris, France; Bordeaux, France; and Lausanne, Switzerland. And for fall break I went to Lisbon, Portugal! We have also done some day trips around Montpellier to Marseille (a port town), Sète (a fishing town), and Carcassonne (a medieval castle).

Gardens in Giverny

Gaudi architecture in Barcelona

Life with my host family is going well. My host mom is especially great. I was frustrated at first because she likes to speak English (she's from England), but her speaking English to me has actually allowed us to get to know each other better than we would if we only spoke French. I really enjoy dinnertime with Karen and Jean Marc. Their 17 year old daughter isn't around much, but sometimes she joins us for dinner. 

There have been other international students coming and going from the apartment. There is an extra bedroom, so Karen hosts others when she can. That has definitely been another highlight. The most fun time in the apartment was when there was a Swedish girl, two Belgian girls, and me, all at one time. We all got along really well and I was sad to see them go after two weeks. Right now there is a German student who is staying with us until December. She is nice, but I don't see her very often. 

The two Belgian girls and me in Marseille

For Thanksgiving last week, all the Americans in our program, Carol, and some of our teachers at Accent Français got together for a nice dinner at a small French restaurant. Although it was sad not to be at home for Thanksgiving, it was fun for everyone to be together in France. And the food was delicious! 

Most of the UNC girls with Carol at Thanksgiving Dinner

We're starting to get in final exam mode in all of my classes. Next week is the last official week of classes at Accent Français, but we have projects and presentation that go on into the next two weeks. It's been great living in Montpellier, but I am getting really excited about finally getting home in a month!