LadyM gets down to work in her classes—and finds out that she's a Chemistry master, but only in foreign countries.—Sparkitors
I've been in school for some weeks now, and despite the rigorous schedule, I'm enjoying it. This could be because I don't go to math class and am not responsible for doing any of the work, mais bon. Going to school in another language has its exciting moments. Take, for example, the other day in Physics/Chemistry."Wait," you say, "Excitement in Physics/Chemistry?" But I kid you not.: it happened.
We had to do a major lab in partners. Fossette was working with Bicheux so I had the pleasure of working with the other Canadian exchange student. Two English speakers who BOTH forgot their dictionaries WHO both are not taking chemistry back home... yeah. But we did the lab! Sure, we subtly glanced at every lab within subtle-glancing distance to make sure that we were on the right track (French lab skills and equipment makes Canadian chem students look like they're toddlers mixing mud pies). Sure, I accidentally called her stupid while trying to express the sentiment about mole calculations. But we got it done... and actually did so before any of the actual French students.
When it came to analyzing the results we had less success (remember, neither of us take chemistry). So the teacher came over and showed us how. He's one of the teachers who probably wears a lab coat around his house and conducts experiments in his kitchen. He told us that our results were "bizarre, mais pas stupide." He helped us a lot... and then all of the French kids started subtly glancing at our work. Who'd have thunk that we'd be the ones being copied from?
We also do a lot of problems about the kinetic and potential energy of a thrown rock. In French, rock is pierre. When I get bored, I like to pretend that they're tossing around a poor bloke named Pierre. It makes things much more interesting.
In English class, we had a debate. It was about whether advertising and the consumer society. They kept talking about how we are a "society of consummation." I didn't have the heart to tell them that that doesn't mean what they think it means.
Also, Fossette tells me that if I want to be understood in English class, I need to speak more slowly. This is problematic because I physically cannot speak any slower than I already am.
And then, in Chinese, the teacher flipped. I can't blame her because the class behaves horribly... but her reaction was a little violent. She grabbed a student's things and threw them across the room as hard as she could. I was impressed. She may have missed her calling in shot put.
European History is definitely more interesting than Canadian history—and I've figured out why. In European history, people do things. In Canadian history people talk about the things that people were doing in Europe. I learned that the French have a firm belief in a 5 continent system. Europe, Australia, Africa, Asia, and America. America! Seriously? But alas, they were dead serious.
Have you guys seen Charlie Bartlett? No?
Go watch Charlie Bartlett.
Wasn't it great? You know the awesomesauce student lounge? My French school has one, complete with a bar, billiard, foosball, and movie posters everywhere. From Marlene Dietrich to the X-Files to the Simpsons. I am so impressed I may just sleep there.
Miscellaneous Observations that Don't Quite Merit a Paragraph:
- Gym class is a misery that knows no borders. That is all.
- At my Canadian school, chewing gum is like currency. Here, it's all about the Kleenex.
- The same class is never in the same room. It's like friggen Harry Potter.
- Maybe it's just my sub-standard sense of direction, but I'm pretty sure the building shifts orientation when I'm in class. Very Harry Potter...
-That reminds me, have you guys seen this awesome Harry Potter picture?
- Geddit? Hairy Potter? HAHAHAHAHA.
- At the start of history class, we have to stand until we are invited to take our seats. Yeep! Strict!
- Overhead projectors are not on carts. I enjoy watching the teachers struggle to get them from Point A to Point B.
- There is now a large group of Swedish exchange students here for a week. They speak very little French, but perfect English. And the teachers like them a lot better than they like the Canadians.
So, overall, I'm enjoying French school. But I wouldn't want to be a full-time French student, and I much prefer the system in Canada. "Oh, please," you say, "Tell us why!" It's your lucky day. I'm happy to oblige.
1. Unlike at home, you have no choice in you classes. You stream into science, literary, or social science, and the courses you take are determined by this alone. So if you love literature, but don't want to study philosophy or an obscure, dead language...too bad. At home I get to choose courses that I like and am good at...and my grades reflect this.
2. Also unlike at home, ones future depends on THE BAC. THE BAC is comparable to an AP exam and is the cause of much stress and tears. I'm ecstatic that, at home, universities focus solely on your achievement throughout the year, as opposed to your ability to write a test on the day your goldfish died.
3. It's in English, so I can participate in discussion and give off a general air of brilliance. Here, the best I can do is look not-stupid.
Songs: This was described to me as "One of the best French singers, but unfortunately not very famous." Sounds like indie to me! Seriously weird, and seriously haunting, I like them so much that I'm dedicating all of today's songs to them. Their first album comes out on April 18th, and I can't wait! Without further ado, Brigitte!
Doesn't high school seem a little harder in France?
Related post: My French Adventure
Topics: Life
Tags: foreign languages, high school, classes, france, exchange students, my french adventure
Post a comment!