End of the First Week

I was delightedly surprized to find some useful things for my room that were left behind by Orono students and American students who have already been here: hangers for my closet, dishes, pans, utensils, towels, etc. I feel fortunate having my own private bathroom attached to my room. In addition, my room has a small refrigerateur and plenty of storage space and desk surface. I have all the things I need to prepare my own meals in the community kitchen on my floor of the residence hall. I am able to shop for food at a small food market within 10 minutes walk. I'm not able to find all of my favorite food items there, but there are some soy and organic products there. There is a supermarket in the center of Angers which I plan to visit by bus sometime soon. I will also attempt to find a Health Food Store and a fabric store. Preparing dinner in the community kitchen on my floor gives me the opportunity to meet and speak French with the French students on my floor. Already I have had some great conversations in French.

By now I am pretty much over the jetlag. In fact, I attended eight classes this week, where I discovered that I was able to participate in classroom conversations. In that case, I discovered how well the University of Maine has prepared me for this French immersion. I'm trying courses in literature, journalism, translation and oral expression of French, Mythology, poetry, grammer, cinema, art history, contemporary history, and French language & the francophonie. This week I took a French language proficiency test which will help establish what level of French classes I will take following next week. These are classes especially for foreign students who are trying to master French language. Incidentally, since all classes meet only once a week, students here will enroll in up to 18 classes. Most classes are only for one hour per week, whereas others are one and one half hours, with a few at two hours. I have seen a three hour class listed, but those seem to be an exception. This is the reason why I have been trying out many courses; they meet only once a week. It seems very different than in the states. There are other comparisons I will make later on. Until then, please continue to follow my blog-site and feel free to send me your comments (just click on comments). Or, I also have an e-mail address here at Angers: virginia.sand@etud.univ-angers.fr