Check-in from Paris
What has been your favourite thing about exchange thus far?
Wow that’s a pretty tough choice! For me it’d probably have to be having the opportunity to immerse myself in the culture and daily life of France! I was placed in an incredible host family on the outskirts of Paris. My school was located roughly a fifteen minute walk from home and it ran from 8am to 6pm every day! Most of the time I would leave when it was dark and come back when it was dark. I had a fantastic bunch of friends at school, with whom I played football (soccer) with every day at lunch. Living so close to Paris, on the weekends I would catch the train into Paris and explore, sometimes with my host family and sometimes alone.
Please tell us a story and explain the images you’ve decided to share.
I videoed my entire three month journey through France and have captured hours of unforgettable moments into a short 4 minute video which sums up my entire adventure.
I was extremely lucky to be placed with such an incredible host family, in which I had a host-brother who was about my age and a host sister who was 12. We had incredible time together exploring Paris, as well as a week long trip to Normandy. I’ve kept in good contact with my host family and a few months ago I found out they will be moving permanently to live in Australia! I’ll claim it was because of me…!
I’ve also attached a few photos from my time in Paris, including the Eiffel Tower, Rooftop of the Notre Dame, watching PSG play Toulouse in Ligue 1, Sainte-Chappelle Cathedral, Christmas Eve Dinner with my host family and probably the best photo from the Dome of the Sacre-Coeur watching the sunset over Paris!
View of Paris from above.
Night view of Paris from above.
View of Paris from above.
View of Paris from above.
Sainte-Chappelle Cathedral
Inside of Sainte-Chappelle Cathedral
Christmas dinner with my host family.
Do you have any tips or advice to offer future exchange students?
- Do everything you can to immerse yourself in the language – it’s impossible to replicate the same environment back in Australia, even in French class!
- Make sure you outline and understand the host family’s rules – understanding their rules is crucial, we all make mistakes but remember that your are in their home.
- I’d recommend a five month exchange over the three month – in retrospect I would never change the fact that I chose a three month exchange over a five month one because my host family and location was just too fantastic! But I felt as if I was just beginning to “get” the language just as I was coming home and an extra couple of months would of been fantastic!
- Don’t waste time – if you have the option between sleeping in and going shopping with your host mum, go shopping! When you return home to Australia you’ll regret not taking full advantage!
Max in Paris
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