Are you sad to leave France ?
I am excited to be going home to family and friends, but after 5 months I also have a full life here so I am also sad to leave it behind. Half of me is sad and the other half is happy ! I can’t sleep at night because I am torn between the two.

Do you prefer school life here or back home ?
I don’t understand everything in class so am sometimes bored, so I prefer school at home. The French system is also very strict and the school days are very long – especially in the winter cold.
Although the academic level is good here resources are poor : in Australia all high school students have lap tops. There are no chalk boards – either white boards or smart boards. However we love half days on Wednesdays - and the everyday life here.

What was your worst moment ?
There are good days and bad days- suddenly a little thing will make you sad like when my Mom sent me a package . . . with no letter . . . When I heard my dog bark in the background when I was on Skype with my Mom . . It is not always easy to be out of your ’comfort zone’.

What is your favourite food here ?
Nutella, bread, cheese. I don’t like the milk which is thin and tasteless – we have fresh full milk back home. "Escargots" are ok – but all you taste is the butter !

What was your favourite class ?
French in 6° where we could understand everything – and even get a good mark in a test sometimes – to prove to the kids that we weren’t as stupid as they thought !
Also the classes – any classes - where we felt ’wow we really learned something today.’ English classes were fun.

Do you think you have improved your French ?
Yes incredibly – I speak far more than when I arrived – and sometimes don’t even realise I am speaking in French !! We have learnt to speak everyday French language and expressions instead of text book French.
It has been interesting to understand French expressions we use in English – like ’déjà vu’, ’cul de sac’, and ’ ensuite’.

Do you hope to return to France ?
YES !! YES !! "c’est obligatoire !"

Have you found new and lasting friends ?
Yes – our host families, friends . . . and each other.

What is the biggest difference between Christmas in France and in your countries ?
Obviously the weather – In Australia it is hot. The general Christmas spirit is the same.

What was your favourite moment in France ?
When I went to Paris. When we felt really a part of our host family – those special little moments when we felt we belonged.

Is life more expensive here ?
The exchange rate is bad for us, but in general things are the same in Euros or in dollars – so in fact expensive for us.

Have you found out anything about yourself ?
Yes – I thought I liked being alone, but realise now how important family and friends are. I didn’t expect to be homesick !
I think we will realise that we have changed – maybe matured - when we get back home and find our friends - as they were before . .

Have you noticed differences in the education system ?There are far more languages on offer here and more opportunities to go on school trips.
At university level in the USA it is much more expensive – at least three times as much and competition is very strong.