I’m writing this post from the other side when the contrast between the US and France are the sharpest. I left France Saturday, it’s now Thursday in Miami, I have a few things I noticed that are different

I’ve started using more blunt language. I say a lot more of absolutes like “no” or my personal favorite “that’s impossible” Whereas before I’d go with stuff like “well, isn’t it more like……” or “ I was told that….”. French people love to tell you these things, especially when you’re trying to get some sort of indispensable life-saving document needed to be legal in the country. Oh well you can’t really blame them, it’s  just the way the language is structured.

I’ve gotten into the habit of having drinks at room temperature. I used to find it weird that you can go into a grocery store and rip off a single can/bottle from a multi-pack and pay just for that. Of course the catch is that your drink isn’t cold. But paying .63 for an Orangina at room temp versus 1.75 on the street can’t be beat. I made it a habit of just stopping into the Monoprix just to pick up a drink.

I write in cursive a lot more. They really emphasize penmanship in France and these first-graders’ cursive handwriting will run circles around your handwriting. Almost nothing is penned in print. As a result, I’ve tried to fit in by trying out my best cursive hand. You should have seen the thank-you notes I wrote to the teachers on my last day. I tried to use my best cursive and it came out looking like a drunk 7 year-old’s script. “A” for effort right? Don’t kill me, I’m just American!

I try to limit my computer time. People don’t really rely on technology in France. I had to show the 4th graders how to use a keyboard and a word processing program. I feel like kids in the states are so glued to some kind of technology all the time that it becomes an extension of their bodies. In France this is far from the case. I find that staying away from the screen feels a lot better. When I went on the week-long trip to Sete, I didn’t have access to a computer for that entire period. Coupled with the abundance of free alcohol and fun activities, it was a truly relaxing and memorable experience. I found I was much more rested, happy, and in the moment.

I eat a lot more fruits and vegetables. Markets were everywhere  in France and offered such good deals that there’s really no reason not to go. Eating in general has changed for me. I just came to realize how much processed BS is in American foods. The original flavor almond milk and Dannon vanilla yogurt I had usually found flavorless was now shockingly sweet to me. I couldn’t finish the yogurt with the syrupy jam on top. I am also not used to the cheapest bottle of wine being $4.49 or a loaf of french bread being $2.49. And of course it’s not really French bread. However, I am glad that cream cheese icing and Jell-O are widely available in stores–things impossible to find over there.

I appreciate ethnic food  so much now because there wasn’t any over there. The French are obsessed with well…French food, and that’s as good as it’s gonna get. There’s also this weird thing about bagels and burgers which are considered this exotic American novelty. I’m happy to  be back to good Mexican/Latin American/Island food that are not afraid of spices. America–the more I leave you, the more I love you.

All in all, I am so glad I went to France and did what I’ve always wanted to since I first heard about the TAPIF program in high school. In many ways it was a dream come true in which I learned a ton about kids, and just humans in general. I figured out that I’m actually pretty good at teaching and it gets easier when the kids are small. I could definitely have been more strict to manage the naughty kids, but how can you be mean to a cute little French thing that runs up to you and grabs on to your legs screaming your name? If someone has figured that out, please let me know.

But for real, I picked up on a bunch of cool classroom tricks and practices which I can always use in the future ( maybe?!!). More on that later.

As for French, I am so much more comfortable with the language and I already miss hearing it all the time. I admit it would make my head hurt sometimes to be surrounded by only French all the time, but those were the periods when I advanced the most.

I think the most important thing is my perspective has changed. French people know how to live, They value the things that really matter, like family and free time, and don’t overdo it when it comes to work. I am now much more willing to call bullshit on the way Americans work themselves to death–and for what? I have a harder time answering the question every day.

Anyway, much many good things to say about France. Good people, great friends, good food, good time! I’m gonna miss those little froggies. This is me writing a post late at night and jetlagged. Where should I travel to next?