I am writing this blog today sat on the beach, watching the waves crash in, on my last day in Sète. I can't believe this year abroad placement is already over!
My last two days at school were pretty chaotic, but fun. Most of my classes didn't know that I was leaving, so I had to break the news to them, which caused several outraged cries - one girl even asked me why I was going back to England, when I should be in France! I was surrounded in the playground every time I stepped into it, as everyone wanted to get their goodbye hug/high five (yes, apparently there are no problems with teachers hugging children in French schools!) With most of my classes I did a royal family afternoon tea party role play with my infamous royal family masks, which delighted the teachers just as much as the children! It was hilarious to hear them say 'would you like a cup of tea?' In their cute French accents! If only Princess Charlotte had been born a few days earlier, I could have included her into the mix!
I also had my last funday in which I read the book 'Handa's Surprise' about 20 times - and still, teaching French children the word for Guava has never got any easier! It turned out to be a great day to end this whole placement on, as all the teachers brought in homemade quiches, tarts, bread, cake, and much more for a celebration lunch which was delicious. Once teacher even brought in wine straight from the vineyard she lived from!!
My friend Emily came down for a couple days after she had finished teaching in Angoulême, and we spent a lovely few days enjoying the sunny warm weather in Sète, going to the beach and into Montpellier. We also joined Amy and Rosario on a trip to the 'Espace Georges Brassens', which is a museum in Sète dedicated to the famous Sètois singer, Georges Brassens, and something we have been told is a must-see in Sète!
Over the list week I have also been busy saying goodbye to people, especially the other assistants in Sète: Rosario, Guilia, Carmen, and of course, Amy. We went out for a lovely dinner all together, and also met up for drinks at a very cool café which is on a boat on the canal.
Amy and I also went for a last picnic on the beach, complete with freshly baked baguettes and pastries from our favourite local bakery - we will miss that place a lot!
So now it is the end, by the time you are reading this I will probably be staggering home with my giant suitcases and many layers of clothing! It's been such a fun year, I've had a great time experiencing French culture, and meeting new people, especially making a friend for life in my American roommate Amy.
The rest of the summer is also exciting for me as I will be an Au Pair with a family near Chambéry for 10 weeks - which hopefully will be a great last intensive improvement of my spoken French before I go back to uni at the end of September.
Technically, this blog has come to an end, as my 'year abroad by the beach' has ended, but I am hoping to put up a few more posts about the actual experience with tips for teaching etc., especially for anyone who will be doing this in the next few years, so keep an eye out over the next couple of weeks!
But for now, au revoir et adieu!
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