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Will is home from his first semester in Pari

We went to the airport to greet him on his arrival. He had a successful semester and is looking forward to returning for his next semester.

Based on his experience, he plans to take more French classes than he originally considered. He will also be taking a class on the history of Paris through photography. He has a keen interest in photography and has shown talent.

He did witness some of the protests. His French friends are about evenly split on the issues. He was inconvenienced but stayed well out of the fray.

Instead of staying in an apartment next semester, he has opted to stay with a family. He will be only a few blocks from the Champs Elyse and close to the Arch de Triomphe, which will be a prime location and a lot closer to school.

Will did a remarkable job of navigating both his first semester of college and living in a foreign country. It's been a great boost to his self confidence and I'm sure it will help him in the future.

Posted by
6540 posts

Thanks for the report, DougMac. Sounds like you've done a great job raising young Will.

Posted by
14995 posts

"...plans to take more French classes than he originally considered." C'est formidable! The more the better so that he becomes adept at French not only in speaking with the proper accent but writing and reading it all with equal facility.

Good that he chose to stay with a family, an ideal way to get total immersion and to develop skills in contextual and diction comprehension en français.

Posted by
11579 posts

I wish all college students would have the chance for a semester or more abroad. Our kids got so much out of their experiences as it looks like your son Will is also experiencing.

Posted by
14771 posts

Fun! Thanks for the update. Does he know the whole forum is coming to visit him next term?

Posted by
6540 posts

Pam, that would be funny. Just picture it....

Posted by
10241 posts

DougMac, I am so glad to hear he had a good first semester experience, and it sounds like he's diving in even deeper next semester.

Glad that he's home to celebrate the holidays with you all too!

Posted by
2199 posts

Thanks all! He said it would be fine if you all dropped by next semester. ;-)

Posted by
33891 posts

We could have a whole Paris Travel Group at his place!!! Wouldn't even have to put the books on the tables. Or go to a café on Place du Vosges....

Posted by
6540 posts

Sign me up! I'll be there in the second half of May...

Posted by
32358 posts

DougMac,

It's great to hear that your son is doing so well on his first semester in Paris. What an incredible life experience, and memories to treasure for a lifetime!

Posted by
14771 posts

Nigel, great idea! And Jane!

DougMac, does he know we talk about him on here?

Posted by
368 posts

Thanks for the post. Will did wonderful being miles from home and successfully finishing his first semester. Parents, you should be proud.

Posted by
6713 posts

I think DougMac is actually a proud grandparent, if I remember his posts from earlier this year.

Glad the lad is doing well and I look forward to joining everyone in Paris to meet "his new family." ;-)

Thanks for the update. Tell him he's welcome to post here anytime.

Posted by
6540 posts

Pam and Nigel, several of us actually did something like a travel group meeting in Haarlem this past spring. Mona set it up; we ended up having six of us from the Forum (counting spouses) there. Two more who were on the same 21 Day BOE with me and my DH were supposed to join us, but got lost on the way to the pub.

We had a great time, chatting about travels old and new. I'd be up for doing it again. Let's see, May 19 or 20 in Paris?

Posted by
1389 posts

These are the days he'll remember with most fondness. Bravo for creating a fancophone-franchophile!

My first study abroad days were so magical. So were the second, third, and fourth. It became quite an addiction that I still have to this day. Fortunately as a French teacher I have the excuse to go to a French speaking country every summer to keep my language skills up to snuff.