I am in a BlaBlaCar, sitting snugly in the backseat behind two French ladies also on their way to visit Cinque Terre. I met them at a roundabout in Mandelieu–just south of Cannes and the 'world capital' of the mimosa flower. Sitting on a patch of sidewalk just out of traffic, I felt more like …
Tag: english
kids’ stuff/next steps
I have five more weeks of teaching left, and it feels...manageable. Like successful organization might be possible. I really enjoyed teaching this week; the time away made me feel like myself again, energy and optimism available in large quantities. It was a week where things got done. We talked about pets, we talked about objects …
the real world: an honest account of teaching abroad, 5 months in
After a much-needed vacation, I feel refreshed enough to write a little bit more about my job. It is, after all, the reason I'm currently living in France. Teaching here is one of the most stressful experiences I've ever had. I haven't written too much about my job here with the TAPIF program, mostly because when …
Continue reading the real world: an honest account of teaching abroad, 5 months in
le retour
I wasn't expecting my first week back from Christmas vacation to be filled with joie. Le retour is always difficult, and here there were two: the return from vacation, back to life in small-town France, and the return to teaching. My first day back didn't deserve to go so well. I've been there before. This time, though, I made the …
bowling with the homies
My expectations for nightlife contained a lot more electronic dance music and a lot less English breakfast tea, but this will almost certainly lead to better stories.
confessions of a brand-new teacher
I was so nervous, all weekend. Friday we had a planning session for the primary school teachers in our département (composed of Montluçon, Vichy, and Moulins) and honestly I think it just stressed everyone out. There are just four of us this year, representing England, Ireland, the US, and Puerto Rico (four different accents!). We're each at …
elementary introductions
I've been here for three days, but it feels like a week! Yesterday I ventured into Montluçon for the first time to meet with Anne-Laure, my "contact person" who has helped me get settled. I had no problem finding the bus, the building. I left really early but there was no need, so I had …
