French Exchange Gifts?
In two weeks I am going to France on an exchange. There is a mom dad girl and boy both kids are teens. I was thinking of getting them things only in America. So what are some ideas and do they sell cheetos, and oreos in France because those are my favorite foods and i want to share the joy. What about Pringles and Nuetella.???
Some activities for a french exchange student?
A french student (15 year old male) will be coming over April. What are some activities that can show American experience? I already thought of possibly an amusement part such a six flags if they liked excitement.
How to greet your exchange student?
Yes. I shall demonstrate what I would do through dialouge if you don't mind. You: Hi *hug* my name is ______. Welcome to ______. What's your name? Exchange student: hi may name is ______ ( let's assume they dont speak a lot/ are shy) You: So what made you interested to coming to________, more specifically our school Exchange student: well there were really great opportunities etc. you: well if you need someone to talk too or miss home etc. im always there to talk, but anyway (this is where you start a conversation) This conversation could be about practically anything. About the school, or you maybe ask them about themselves, or you realize something about them that you think is cool. Maybe he/she is wearing a shirt that you like and you can start with that and where he/she got it and that could start a whole new conversation about style and stores wherever they are from. It's all about common ground and making them feel comfortable. It could be something as basic as food or fav colors or subjects, too something as weird as you both loving the same lotion brand, but its all about starting a conversation. Just know that if you're quite, they are gonna b quite, so you want to be really outgoing (but not too much) unless they are really talkative, where in that situation you can just have a regular condo
What are the best tips for French exchanges?
I did a 3 month exchange last year. Here's my advice:Try everything at least once. Food, experiences... Doesn't matter. You never know what you will enjoy until you try it.Listen. Especially at a meal when they are talking around the table. Don't zone out like I did at first. Try your hardest to understand what they are saying.Immerse yourself. Don't sit on your computer in your room all the time. I did that a lot and I regret it. Go out, talk to people. Experience the culture.Try in french school. Their school is long and very difficult. I didn't give it much effort, and as a result I didn't learn as much from it. Don't make that mistake.Choose a literacy program in school. This is very specific but important. In french school, they have different threads, and once you choose your thread you pretty much only take courses in that thread. My exchange partner was in science, and I like science, so I chose that thread. HUGE MISTAKE. They are at least 2 years ahead of us, and I couldn't understand anything. Do yourself a favour and take the literacy thread, it's more languages and writing which will help with your exchange.Keep a journal/personal dictionary/both. I started to but I got lazy, it only lasted a few weeks. I wish I had kept going.Enjoy yourself. You are about to have an amazing experience. Understand that and you will have a blast. Good luck!
My parents are forcing me to go on a French Exchange but I really don’t want to go. What should I do?
This is difficult. As an adult, a francophile and someone who spends a great deal of time in France, I want to encourage you as strongly as possible to go. I don’t know how old you are and how well-travelled you are but my feeling is that seeing the another country from someone else’s perspective is important and you’ll derive great benefit from it.I don’t know why you don’t want to go, though I suspect you have very legitimate reasons. Are you fearful that that it might be really bad? That you’ll be homesick? That you’ll have difficulties with the language? Worried you won’t like the food? The people?The truth is that all that all these things are possibilities though it is equally (if not more) likely that you’ll have a really good time.If it’s genuinely making you anxious then it’s a good idea to write a list of your anxieties and then discuss them with someone you trust - either your parents or someone else you’re close to. Do you know anyone else who has been on this exchange or something similar? Can you ask them? And if this is organized by your school, can you ask someone for as much information as possible? There’s no harm in telling people you’re anxious about it - it’s a big deal to go away from home for a while.How long does the exchange last? One way of looking at it is that even if you don’t enjoy it all that much, it won’t last long and it will be an experience to remember.The reason I’m encouraging you? I never got the opportunity to go on an exchange, though I really really wanted to. I didn’t go to France for the first time until I was in my mid-20s. I promise you that if I’d gone there as a teenager, it would have completely changed my life. I know I’d have fallen in love instantly with the country; and I’d have paid attention in my French classes at school; and I would have studied differently and done different things. As it is now, I spend a lot of time in France: I love it but it’s more difficult as an older person. I’d have loved to live there in my 20s …I know you’re not just dismissing the idea - you’ve asked this question. But you have to remember that your anxieties are legitimate and it will help if you talk to someone about them.For what it’s worth I think you’ll have a brilliant time if you go.
Is it true that French people at HEC Paris don't mix with the internationals?
Like every university in the world, exchange students do not necessarily mix with all local students. This is not specific to HEC Paris and this is, by and large, normal. Just think about it this way: do you think you would be invited at parties with frat boys as an exchange student in the US? Probably not, and it's the same thing here in HEC Paris. For what it's worth, you'll be happy not to mix with these people as most of them are spoiled kids or drunkards who barely know how to speak English. However you have a great association of international students with French student willing to make you discover the campus and do some sight seeing with you in Paris. Even if you don't end up making too many French friends, I wouldn't be too worried as the exchange student community is massive and they are plenty of other foreigners to meet ! I'm an HEC student and was on an exchange in Hong Kong. I didn't meet Hong Kongers but made tons of friends from everywhere !
Should I do a three-month foreign exchange if I have no idea where or who I'm staying with? I really don't want to be stuck in a sleepy French countryside for a quarter year.
I guess you’re not an adventurer but like to be safe in your comfort zone. Life must be pretty boring for you. It’s only 90 days out of your life. You’ll never know what awaits you in a sleepy French countryside if you never go. Take a risk.
French name Yoann: pronunciation?
Yes, it does sound a bit like 'Johan', but with a nice French accent, of course. You can hear it here yourself : http://www.acapela-group.com/text-to-spe... There are 4 French voices. http://www.acapela-group.com/Greetings/1...
Exchange student, don't understand the language, feeling left out?
I think they're keen to make you feel at home because you're a guest in their home. However, a language barrier is tough to overcome. They probably just don't know how to behave around you or what to say to include you when you don't understand the language that well. I know it sucks that they won't speak in English but, since you're probably there to try and pick up some of the language, it's probably a good thing really that they're speaking so much French around you. If anything, just listen to as much of their conversations as possible, even if they're not including you. Soak up as much of the language as possible. See what you can make sense of and which words you understand etc. Immersion is really the best way to learn a language! Plus, since you're already a week in, I'd imagine you don't have much longer to go. It'll be over soon enough :) Also, if you really feel like you need a break, don't be afraid to just insist that you want to do something on your own (provided you're old enough to be unaccompanied by an adult?). You're in France, after all, and part of it is taking in some of the culture and tourist sights.