08/09/10

I feel like the character Salt right now trying to disguise myself as a French person. It seems to be working since now people don't automatically switch to English once I start speaking in French. It also helps that I am pulling together some pretty french looking outfits and show my Sciences Po ID every chance I get.

Lets see. The other kids in the program are already starting to get sick of the French culture as each night they want to go somewhere that doesn't serve french food. Last night, Italian tonight, Japanese. No matter where you go, it is still very, very french. We concluded the night last night at a Jazz Club right near our apartments. It was interesting to hear French jazz and the people there were really good! Everyone wanted me to sing, but I didn't. Next time I suppose.

Today was the first day of French Classes. We spent the day at Sciences Po getting used to the environment, having lunch at the cafeteria, meeting our professors and people who organize the trip, etc. The group was divided up between beginner speakers and intermediate/ advanced. I was in the second group and LOVED my french teacher. She looked like a stereotypical 50 year old french woman, tiny, dressed all in black with a bright red belt and matching blazer and had an air about her like you didn't want to mess with her. She is one of the directors of the International Affairs program at Sciences Po (teaches master classes in international conflict and security). I spoke with her after class and she invited me to her class and to take part in a graduate, only french speaking class. I singled her out the second I heard her background.

A French lesson for the day - French students aren't go getters as much as American students (or at least, me). During our mingling session of the day with our professors, I took it upon myself to meet my Paris History Professor (who speaks Arabic). Sciences Po students came up to me afterwards amazed saying that French students would never approach a teacher and introduce themselves/ have a conversation with them. Teachers, they said, were above them. I don't think my personality would fit well in France for an extended period of time, c'est la vie.

Tired, sore and thirsty, we walked to the Musee D'Orsay and had a guided tour with a French woman. Loved the museum, hated the boring French woman who obviously despises American students. I am definitely going back to the museum and will try to sneak in for free as Europeans (Sciences Po students) under the age of 25 can do so. I'll see how well my disguise as a French person is working ...

Everyone was tired today, lots of walking, lots of things to process. We got Japanese and headed home! Waking up early for my second 3 hour French Class. Looking like a good weekend ahead, biensur!