France!!!

Well, I should probably have changed the title of this blog by now, but I think I will leave it…

I made it to France last Sunday. After an epic train journey (French trains, it seems, are unlike their Russian counterparts in that they do not always run on time. Also, unlike in Russia, on a Sunday, there is only a very small chance that there will be someone around to help you) I arrived in Grenoble at 9.30pm to meet my landlady, to unpack a few things and to prepare myself in general for arriving at the university by 8.30am the following morning and facing the entrance test. It was also pouring with rain at this point.

The next morning arrived, still on the cloudy and wet side of things, but despite that I found my way to the university (on the tram – really quite exciting and efficient!) and met what seemed to me to be hundreds and hundreds of Americans and Chinese students, all on a programme for the summer. I think I am the only English person to be studying at the Centre, which makes life quite interesting. There is a fairly huge mix of nationalities in my two classes, from Vietnamese to Brazilian.

The test was fine, and actually I was placed in the highest level available, so I am quite pleased with that. The classes so far have been fairly challenging, but I am happy as I think that is going to be the best way for my language to improve. The Americans are still very keen to talk French all the time, including when they are just with other English speakers – I’m not sure how long that will last for, but it is a good effort at least!

My flat is in the centre ville which is very convenient if a little noisy. I am living with an old lady, who rents out rooms to students to make some extra cash, and an American student, who happens to also be called Sarah. Coincidence that. The flat is very old, and has lovely features such as amazing wooden floors and a very shallow stone kitchen sink. My room is enormous!

I haven’t had a much chance yet to explore a lot of the town, but what I have seen has been really lovely. The weather improved after Monday, and it is now really hot here. I went to see the Museum de la Résistance this afternoon which was really interesting, as it showed how the area had been involved in the Resistance effort through all the different stages of the war.

Right, I think it might be bedtime, as tomorrow is another early start (classes always start at 8.30. Never am I going to complain about a 9am lecture. Or at least, not for a while…)

Have a good week!

Lots of love

Sarah

xxx