End of My Second Week at Angers

During these first two weeks, Study Abroad students are encouraged to attend as many classes as possible, and then to choose their favorite classes and number of desired credit hours. Here, you literally count the number of hours each class meets per week; the classes meet only once a week. For example, if I need 12 credit hours for the semester, I need to enroll in 12 classes (if the classes meet for one hour per week). If I choose a two hour class and 10 one hour classes, that also adds up to 12 credit hours. Me, after trying out about 20 different classes between last week and this week, I've decided that I want to enroll in 16 of the classes, which will put me above 16 credit hours for the semester, since some of these classes meet for more than one hour per session. In addition, all Study Abroad students are tested on their French proficiency, and then offered three free classes (French language, Culture, and Conversation) which are not obligatory, based on their level of French proficiency. This is under the CUFCO program for exchange students. My test results put me in the middle-range of French Proficiency, so I plan to attend the three CUFCO classes. This will add up to 19 classes for me this semester. However, they all meet only once a week, and there are no assigned out-of-class readings or projects to do. Therefore, the set-up here is very different than at the University of Maine. It is another cultural difference for an exchange student to get use to. However, there are exams at the end of semester for many of the classes. Students are expected to take notes during class.

Since arriving here, I have also had to adapt to different climate and the clocks. By "clocks," I mean that it was still dark outside up to 9:00am in the morning during my first week here, while I was walking to and attending morning classes. It takes me 5-10 minutes to walk to classes from my residence hall. Consequently, I don't think they turn the clocks back here. Plus it stays light up to 6 pm. Go figure. As for the climate, for the most part it has been cold, rainy, windy, grey, with very little sunshine and blue sky. I'll take the snow with the sunshine in Maine. Even though there is no snow here, and the grass remains green, it is still quite chilly and the grass doesn' t grow. There are no leaves or buds on the deciduous trees and bushes. People still wear warm coats with scarves warmly wrapped around the neck, but I don't see many students with hats and gloves, although I wear my berret and gloves.

I tend to hang out with the French, since the American and Australian students hang out together and speak only English. My French won't improve in that situation.

I've started working on my CapStone project here at the University of Angers. My focus is on "being an Exchange Student at Angers" and on "being a Vegetarian here in France." I've already taken many photographs for my powerpoint presentation which Julie Nowell has offered to help me put together when I return to UM, as this will be my first powerpoint presentation. Julie is in the Native American Studies office. I will continue working on my CapStone during our February Break which begins February 14th, on Valentine's Day. It is for one week. It seems strange to have a one week break after just four weeks of classes. Then April 4th begins a two-week break. Classes end on May 20th and Final Exams go until June 3rd.

I find it interesting, as a student, that the standard size of paper here is about a half inch longer than in the United States. Therefore, my handouts from the classes here extend beyond the folder that I brought from the states. In addition, students here in France use "graph-paper" to take notes in classes. These are subtle cultural differences, but they still take getting use to.

The Angers University library stays open from 9:00am to 7:00pm Monday through Saturday. However, it closes with everything else on Sundays. Stores, including grocery stores, are not open Sundays in France. I remember when it use to be the same way in Maine.

Yesterday (Thursday), no classes were held at the University of Angers due to a national strike held by students. Over 70% of college/university professors support the cause and do not show up for classes along with most of the students. The French college students were striking against the budget cuts under the Sarcozy Administration, which make it difficult for students who want to become teachers, and for students to pay college-related expenses outside of what the government already pays for. In general, young people in France can go to college at the expense of the government. But apparently not all college-related expenses are covered by the government. In general, the college students here do not seem very impressed with their President, Sarcozy. However, there is much talk about Maroc Obama among the professors and students here, and President Obama and his administration is well covered in the newspapers and journals in France.

After reading the French novel, Madame Bovary, in Kathryn Slott's 19th Century French Literature class last semester, today I was able to borrrow the film (on DVD) from the University of Angers library. The film is based on the novel by Gustave Flaubert. Since there is a television with a DVD player at my residence hall (Lakanal), I will be able to watch the film tonight.

I'll sign off for now, since it is going on 6:30pm and I'm hungry. Last night, in the community kitchen on my floor of Lakanal Residence hall, I cooked up some pasta with tomato sauce and brocoli, along with a side salad and a baguette. I have left-overs for tonight. Yum!