Last week certainly was charged! After our return from
Normandy, we had a late start Friday morning and watched a film in the
auditorium together. Since Friday marked our halfway point as well, we had some
things to take care of as well as to celebrate in the afternoon! First, we
voted on a program t-shirt, Kate’s design with our “group slogan” on it taking
the win. Next, we had students choose a topic they’d like to write about for
the end of program magazine.
Although we’re only halfway through, it’s already time for students to
start gathering ideas and reflecting on memorable moments they’ve had in
France. At the end of the program, we’ll assemble a magazine that will make for
a wonderful memory – a gift in a way – for the host families, as well as for all
students. Topics range from
favorite recipes, to the first day, to the excursion in Normandy, to music in
France. Students will be submitting their first drafts at the end of the week,
and I’m really excited to see what their impressions have been and how far
they’ve come.
In addition to these preparations, we conducted mid-program
evaluations in the afternoon. Students took turns meeting with their support
group leader one-on-one. At this
time, we shared with students how they were progressing in each class, how they
could improve, and what they should keep up! We also shared commentary from
their host families (who had just filled out and sent back their own
evaluations in a sealed envelope) and any additional observations we had. This was a time for us to encourage
students to stretch their limits and fully engage in the second half. Needless to say, we’re very proud of
all of them and how far they’ve already come. (Let me digress here to give a
small example of how even their behavior in public has matured drastically:
when we were in the museum at Caen, there happened to be many other groups –
particularly Americans – visiting as well. While other youth spoke very loudly over
one another – almost shouting – and were rather pushy, our students were much more
“wise.” [We always tell them “soyez sage” or “be wise.] Not only did they use
softer voices, but they also stayed together and were very conscious and
respectful of others around them.)
After evaluations, it was time to celebrate! Since we have
four birthdays during the program – Kate, Meaghan, Luis, and William – we took
the opportunity to celebrate them together with various tarts and cakes. Miam
miam!
I could say that this was a great way to end our busy week,
but then I’d be leaving out the perhaps most jovial occasion yet – a large
picnic and celebration with all students and host families! On Friday evening,
we were invited by the Mayor of Turquant, a neighboring town (about 10 minutes
away), to a picnic shelter near the Loire River to celebrate the fourth of July
together (although it technically was on the 5th because of our
excursion). We absolutely could
not have asked for a more beautiful evening! Around 7, host families started to
gather, bringing foldable tables, blankets, chairs, and lots and lots of food
to share! We even had a group composed of nearly two-dozen singers and
musicians called “Les Chats Noirs” who played throughout the evening and really
added a touch of charm to the already jovial atmosphere. A few host parents were in fact part of
the group.
After some welcoming tunes from Les Chats Noirs, the
students gathered and sang the American National Anthem for their families,
followed by the first part of the French National Anthem. Following the students’ lead, many
families joined in. The Mayor of
Turquant came to welcome everyone as well, sharing kind words with the families
and students. Then we all broke
out the food! And then dessert, and then more dessert. (Personally, I think I
tasted 5 different desserts made by families? Maybe it was 6….) Some, such as
Kamal, got pretty creative and made a “raspberry baguette,” taking out the
center of part of a baguette and filling it with freshly picked raspberries
from the backyard. Afterward
students had time to just let go, many playing soccer in the field with host
siblings (even one as young as 4!) and with other students. When the music
began again, the dancing followed! Students with host families, students with
other students, relatives and family; it was quite the uplifting vibe! We ate and played until the sun went
down, and that, I must say, was a
beautiful ending to the first half of our journey this summer.
As we are at our halfway point, I want to take a moment and
thank you all at home for sending your sons and daughters with us this summer,
for having trust in the program and more importantly for trusting in your
children as they mature and grow away from home, many for the first time. They
miss you a lot, and I know the feeling is the same at home.
Nonetheless, for several of them, the relationships that
they’re forming this summer will last a lifetime. As testimony to this, I’m
actually typing this entry right now on the train on my way home from visiting
my own host mom from 9 years ago.
I had a flood of memories in the 24 hours I was there as I picked a few
pounds of raspberries in the backyard for an hour, shared photos from the past
few years over tea, and learned some basic patchwork skills while relaxing in
the sun. While everyone has his or
her own respective and unique experience, it goes without saying that many
students this summer are creating bonds like this that make people they never
knew until three weeks ago part of their “family.” “Hosts” for the summer, but family for much longer….
No comments:
Post a Comment