Bonjour Mes Amis!
Well, I finally arrived to and started my French-as-a-second-language classes in Mons, Belgium. My first official day was Monday, which was dedicated to the orientation process: where the grocery stores, gym, and our classrooms were. Of course, it was completely relayed to us students in French. I understand that this is a total immersion process into the French language and culture, but I thought that it was a bit risky to be giving students very important information exlusively in a foreign language. The weaker students had to rely on the help of the more advanced students. Maybe that was the point? Learning as a group?
I have met some wonderful people thus far from around the U.S. and the world. Most of my free time has been spent hanging out with my two new Turkish friends, Tuna and Anil. They have been quite fun. This weekend we are going to Amsterdam to rendezvous with other students in the program, but because we waited so late to book accommodations, we can't find a room. In light of our pinch, we decided to take an early train to Amsterdam Saturday morning and then stay up all night to catch a train headed back Sunday morning. It should be interesting! More of that to come.
I want to wait until my next blog to make some commentary on the program and Mons because I have had such a short amount of time here. Instead, I will leave you, my readers, a picture of the view from my room. A bientot.
P.S. Happy 4th!
