Celeste’s volunteering experience in France continues!

Hi! I have now been in Normandy for 7 months and I can hardly believe it. Time has flown by. I’m still helping out at the school in Amfreville and I’ve completely settled in. It now feels natural for me to suggest activities or share my opinion.

I’ve started teaching English to the fourth-grade class. It was difficult at first, but now, thanks to the teacher’s help, I really enjoy it. At school, we’re doing lots of interesting activities. I went to the theater with the last two classes of elementary school, and it was a wonderful experience. I was so surprised that I understood the entire show in French. I finally have more confidence in myself and in the fact that I can now speak French well.
In mid-March, I went to Calais for the mid-term seminar, and it was interesting to meet new people from all over Europe and share our experiences. Two new flatmates have moved in with me, an Italian girl and a German guy. We do a lot of things together and support each other. One evening we had pizza on the beach at sunset and it was magical. We also organize a lot of dinners and evening outings.

With the friends I’ve met here, I went to Étretat, a beautiful town in Normandy famous for its cliffs. We also spent three days in Paris for Easter! I’m having a great time and I keep learning new things—about French culture and language, and also about myself.