An American Girl in Avignon
Friday, April 10, 2009
Apprendre avec les étudiants
April 9-10 2009
Wow. Today/Yesterday was a learning experience. Talking about the French education system made me feel incompetent about my previous knowledge. It was just that: I realized that I knew, nor really cared (shamefully enough), next-to-nothing about politics before coming here. I was…still am a little…naive. I had preconceived notions about what France was going to be like: some sort of European oasis across the sea where people sit in the sun, sipping on red wine, while enjoying every little bit of life. The fantasy of a country filled with the glitz and the glamour one commonly associates with such a romanticized place as France, known for its cuisine, cologne, champagne, wine, and couture, is slowly becoming a darker reality. Sometimes it takes analyzing another country’s education and political systems to make you really understand your own. Every country has its flaws, and its benefits, and it has been quite a journey discovering which of these things are present back home. I am trying to keep an open heart and open mind during my stay here, so learning about a country’s education system is a good place to start.
Well…false alarm. The eight week long grève wasn’t over. It was over for the week, and except for Thursday, all students would resume class (something they hadn’t done for the past six weeks). If this just sounds confusing to you, well…it is. I still don’t (and never will) understand all there is to know about la grève, but here’s what I do know: It was declared last week that from now on the students at every university across the country would vote if they are or aren’t going to class that week, and on which days. At first, hearing this sounds completely ridiculous, but at the same time makes one realize how widespread the issue is. I am beginning to slowly comprehend that there is more to la grève than meets the eye. On a surface level, it just seems like these students are wasting time and government money by not going to class, but there is a much bigger issue at hand.
Our professor gave us some background information on the system, which brought some cultural norms to light. A long tradition of the “droit” (right) to an education for everyone is slowly being changed. Yet, there seems to be a struggle between the generation gap: the professors, the administrators, and the students, and no one is winning. Most of the votes proposed to pass or not pass the new proposal end up around fifty-fifty. The students keep voting, therefore, they keep striking, and nothing gets accomplished. Exams are scheduled in May, but these do not seem possible given the fact that no one has had class…delaying their education and entrance into the work field. Although the professors are getting some sort of compensation, their jobs are in danger. If the new policy passes, small universities such as the one in Avignon won’t survive, because the population, and the people’s income who live in the town, is not large enough to sustain a higher education facility. It is saddening; professors such as my host family will have to uproot their families to bigger cities like Paris to support themselves. During the grève, there are limited professors, limited funds for research, and of course, limited funds. No one is benefiting.
The French people aren’t too pleased with Sarkozy right now either, given that he is one of the biggest supporters for the passage of this law. This law, as mentioned before, would require students to pay for a higher education (like back home). Sarkozy would like an education system similar to that of the United States, which he believes would equal more competition. Perhaps more competition would benefit their economy in some ways, but it is difficult to tell whether these supposed benefits would outweigh the losses. France has a long tradition of socialized education: where everyone is entitled to a higher education, and every degree, no matter the university, is viewed as equal. There are some definite pros and cons to this system. The only entrance requirement is to pass your BAC, which 90% do, during your last year of high school. Although a free education (the reason many French people have doctorates), and not having to buy those 150 dollar textbooks, may sound like a dream come true, the system is very, very expensive for the government. La système coûte très chère, mais ça marche. (the system is very expensive, but it works) Sarkozy’s proposal frightens many people who are content with the current system. Très compliquée, n’est-ce pas?! One can only hope that the issue is resolved in the best way…and soon.
While walking through town, I couldn’t help but noticing that they are a lot (and I mean A LOT) of kids here. A mother walking down the street with a stroller and two other tots trailing behind is not an uncommon sight. Which brings me to another interesting point about socialism in France- le taux de natalté. The government in France gives more aid and tax breaks the more kids you have, so it is not uncommon for a woman to have 4 children…and then want more. No wonder France has one of the highest birth rates in the world.
It is really eye opening to be caught in the middle something as serious as a country-wide strike. Perhaps the experience of living politics was the wakeup call I needed to realize that the world is bigger than the United States…and there is so much world out there!
On a lighter note, we went to the Red Sky, to carry on the Thursday-night OU tradition, even though we had class tomorrow. The Red Sky seems to be our “go-to” place in town, which I am guessing is a sign that we are all getting more comfortable with living in Avignon. I know I am. Our new French friends were there again. I really enjoy talking with them, because they are friendly, easy to talk to, speak English well enough to have a decent conversation, and give us tips on the way of college…French-style! I find it so much easier to talk to French students my own age than to try to express my ideas in the classroom. Perhaps the no-pressure setting makes speaking, or attempting to do so, easier for me. We teach them things about the US, and in return, they teach us things about France. It’s a mutual-learning experience. We even taught the French boys the meaning and hand motions for “awkward turtle,” and in return, learned “rabbit check.” “Rabbit check” is what this group does when they greet and part, in place of the girly bissou. “Rabbit check” is a double high-five followed by one taking his/her middle and index fingers and bending them down twice, like rabbit ears. Haha…quite amusing to watch actually. I guess they feel comfortable around us, because the past two times we have hung out with them, I got “rabbit checked,” I’m guessing that’s a good sign. I think we are going to be fast friends, because we are all hanging out again next week. I also met another really nice (and generous) French student who told me she would be studying in England in a few weeks, but wants to take us all out before she leaves. Again, whoever said that the French don’t like Americans?
Hanging out with the French students made language learning seem fun, but to amuse ourselves when we are in (and sometimes out) of the classroom, we’ve started saying English words in a French accent. Hey, at least we sound more French that way. For example, if you want to say the word “dictionary” in French, but don’t know the word, you just keep talking in French until you get to the word, and insert the English one in a French accent. Proven to be very efficient in our attempt to blend in…and in getting strange looks from natives. There are also those dreaded, long French words that you just want to rush through saying so no one will hear your horrid pronunciation. You must instead “walk it out” (our phrase for slowing down a long, complex word by carefully articulating each syllable) beforehand. “Walk it out” references wouldn’t be complete without an accompanying gesture: one palm flat, with two fingers from your other hand “walking” across it.
C’est tout pour maintenant. Excursion tomorrow. Merci pour votre visite ! XX
Wow. Today/Yesterday was a learning experience. Talking about the French education system made me feel incompetent about my previous knowledge. It was just that: I realized that I knew, nor really cared (shamefully enough), next-to-nothing about politics before coming here. I was…still am a little…naive. I had preconceived notions about what France was going to be like: some sort of European oasis across the sea where people sit in the sun, sipping on red wine, while enjoying every little bit of life. The fantasy of a country filled with the glitz and the glamour one commonly associates with such a romanticized place as France, known for its cuisine, cologne, champagne, wine, and couture, is slowly becoming a darker reality. Sometimes it takes analyzing another country’s education and political systems to make you really understand your own. Every country has its flaws, and its benefits, and it has been quite a journey discovering which of these things are present back home. I am trying to keep an open heart and open mind during my stay here, so learning about a country’s education system is a good place to start.
Well…false alarm. The eight week long grève wasn’t over. It was over for the week, and except for Thursday, all students would resume class (something they hadn’t done for the past six weeks). If this just sounds confusing to you, well…it is. I still don’t (and never will) understand all there is to know about la grève, but here’s what I do know: It was declared last week that from now on the students at every university across the country would vote if they are or aren’t going to class that week, and on which days. At first, hearing this sounds completely ridiculous, but at the same time makes one realize how widespread the issue is. I am beginning to slowly comprehend that there is more to la grève than meets the eye. On a surface level, it just seems like these students are wasting time and government money by not going to class, but there is a much bigger issue at hand.
Our professor gave us some background information on the system, which brought some cultural norms to light. A long tradition of the “droit” (right) to an education for everyone is slowly being changed. Yet, there seems to be a struggle between the generation gap: the professors, the administrators, and the students, and no one is winning. Most of the votes proposed to pass or not pass the new proposal end up around fifty-fifty. The students keep voting, therefore, they keep striking, and nothing gets accomplished. Exams are scheduled in May, but these do not seem possible given the fact that no one has had class…delaying their education and entrance into the work field. Although the professors are getting some sort of compensation, their jobs are in danger. If the new policy passes, small universities such as the one in Avignon won’t survive, because the population, and the people’s income who live in the town, is not large enough to sustain a higher education facility. It is saddening; professors such as my host family will have to uproot their families to bigger cities like Paris to support themselves. During the grève, there are limited professors, limited funds for research, and of course, limited funds. No one is benefiting.
The French people aren’t too pleased with Sarkozy right now either, given that he is one of the biggest supporters for the passage of this law. This law, as mentioned before, would require students to pay for a higher education (like back home). Sarkozy would like an education system similar to that of the United States, which he believes would equal more competition. Perhaps more competition would benefit their economy in some ways, but it is difficult to tell whether these supposed benefits would outweigh the losses. France has a long tradition of socialized education: where everyone is entitled to a higher education, and every degree, no matter the university, is viewed as equal. There are some definite pros and cons to this system. The only entrance requirement is to pass your BAC, which 90% do, during your last year of high school. Although a free education (the reason many French people have doctorates), and not having to buy those 150 dollar textbooks, may sound like a dream come true, the system is very, very expensive for the government. La système coûte très chère, mais ça marche. (the system is very expensive, but it works) Sarkozy’s proposal frightens many people who are content with the current system. Très compliquée, n’est-ce pas?! One can only hope that the issue is resolved in the best way…and soon.
While walking through town, I couldn’t help but noticing that they are a lot (and I mean A LOT) of kids here. A mother walking down the street with a stroller and two other tots trailing behind is not an uncommon sight. Which brings me to another interesting point about socialism in France- le taux de natalté. The government in France gives more aid and tax breaks the more kids you have, so it is not uncommon for a woman to have 4 children…and then want more. No wonder France has one of the highest birth rates in the world.
It is really eye opening to be caught in the middle something as serious as a country-wide strike. Perhaps the experience of living politics was the wakeup call I needed to realize that the world is bigger than the United States…and there is so much world out there!
On a lighter note, we went to the Red Sky, to carry on the Thursday-night OU tradition, even though we had class tomorrow. The Red Sky seems to be our “go-to” place in town, which I am guessing is a sign that we are all getting more comfortable with living in Avignon. I know I am. Our new French friends were there again. I really enjoy talking with them, because they are friendly, easy to talk to, speak English well enough to have a decent conversation, and give us tips on the way of college…French-style! I find it so much easier to talk to French students my own age than to try to express my ideas in the classroom. Perhaps the no-pressure setting makes speaking, or attempting to do so, easier for me. We teach them things about the US, and in return, they teach us things about France. It’s a mutual-learning experience. We even taught the French boys the meaning and hand motions for “awkward turtle,” and in return, learned “rabbit check.” “Rabbit check” is what this group does when they greet and part, in place of the girly bissou. “Rabbit check” is a double high-five followed by one taking his/her middle and index fingers and bending them down twice, like rabbit ears. Haha…quite amusing to watch actually. I guess they feel comfortable around us, because the past two times we have hung out with them, I got “rabbit checked,” I’m guessing that’s a good sign. I think we are going to be fast friends, because we are all hanging out again next week. I also met another really nice (and generous) French student who told me she would be studying in England in a few weeks, but wants to take us all out before she leaves. Again, whoever said that the French don’t like Americans?
Hanging out with the French students made language learning seem fun, but to amuse ourselves when we are in (and sometimes out) of the classroom, we’ve started saying English words in a French accent. Hey, at least we sound more French that way. For example, if you want to say the word “dictionary” in French, but don’t know the word, you just keep talking in French until you get to the word, and insert the English one in a French accent. Proven to be very efficient in our attempt to blend in…and in getting strange looks from natives. There are also those dreaded, long French words that you just want to rush through saying so no one will hear your horrid pronunciation. You must instead “walk it out” (our phrase for slowing down a long, complex word by carefully articulating each syllable) beforehand. “Walk it out” references wouldn’t be complete without an accompanying gesture: one palm flat, with two fingers from your other hand “walking” across it.
C’est tout pour maintenant. Excursion tomorrow. Merci pour votre visite ! XX
posted by Catherine at 10:04 PM
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