![]() I wouldn't say that I am fluent by any means, but I had improved a lot since January. By the end of the semester, my host mother said my accent was imperceptible and I sounded truly French. A question often asked by others as a measurement of language acquisition, I suppose, is if you dream or think in French. I grew in my confidence of French language, of course. ![]() I grew as a public speaker, having given oral presentations in every class (in French) and having taught four classes of middle and high schoolers every week. It was an overall wonderful semester, by far my favorite in college. I have a feeling I’ll be back at some point in my life, and I’ll be sure to see her. Our final goodbye didn’t feel sad, but hopeful. After a relaxing morning of coffee and reflection together, my host mom drove me to the train station. de Berranger with final words and accolades for the semester.įeeling like a weighed-down turtle with all my luggage, I was packed and ready to go Saturday. Our class presidents, TJ and Matthew, spoke, as well as M. It was really special to see all these people converge together. It was who we saw each evening, whose experiences framed our first view of Nantes, and who witnessed our most honest questions, confusions, and breakthrough moments of understanding. ![]() For each IES Abroad student, our host family had a huge impact on our experience in Nantes. IES Abroad was bustling with all kinds of host families-older parents, younger parents, teenage siblings, and a few babies, too. The library and one of the classrooms were opened up and hors d’œuvres, drinks, and desserts were artistically splayed out on the tables. Thursday evening, we had a reception at IES Abroad for all the host families. I will miss the daily whir of the city with all its beauty, quirks, and sounds. ![]() I paused in the middle of Place Graslin to admire the people perched on the Opera steps, the kids running around the fountain, and old friends enjoying the end of the afternoon with drinks on the patio outside La Molière. In between studying for all these, I tried my hardest to soak up the beautiful sun in Nantes a few final moments through walks in the park or food with friends. Tuesday, I had an oral presentation at the University. Last Friday, Monday and Thursday, I had written exams. After we’d eaten, everyone migrated towards the front of the boat where there was a pocket-sized floor space in front of the two live musicians, which we enthusiastically maximized for busting dance moves! Even our director joined us. We had such a good time, I don’t think anyone noticed it was raining outside. Everyone dressed their best and we enjoyed a full four-course meal. Last Friday, we had our farewell dinner (on a boat) on the Erdre river. ![]() But, while this week carried the usual stressors of test-taking, it was also a very enjoyable week of last goodbyes with the IES Abroad friends that I now consider a family. It was-you guessed it-finals week, and our last week here! The last week of the semester in college is a notoriously stressful and complex time-you’re bombarded with papers, tests, or presentations you’re preparing for all these and you’re trying to see all your friends one last time. The last week in Nantes I found myself on a boat along the Erdre River, in a room filled with host families, and in a University professor’s office, offloading all I knew about women in politics in the modern era. ![]()
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