Restaurant School

Today, students went to an hour of class then we met up to go to Lycée Guéhenno.  On the walk to the school, students shared their activity-packed weekend adventures such as kayaking, visiting local islands, Carnac (which has a Stonehenge-like structure), soccer games and even a weekend in Paris.  I'm still waiting on photos though!

At this technical high school, student are trained in the hospitality field - either as cooks or service personnel.  Students can start their training as early as 15 years old.  Here, they receive training that will ultimately lead them to a career in hospitality.  They are expected to go on a few stages, or internships during their training.  We got a tour of the kitchen and the restaurant that is open to the public.  We had a small apéritif before lunch of cidre and buckwheat crêpe pinwheels.

Then it was time for lunch.  The chefs prepared a selection of specialties from Brittany.  The first course consisted of langoustines, scallops and oysters.  Several students had to be shown how to eat the langoustines.  The oysters scared a few students away but those who ate them enjoyed them.  The next course was sea bass along with mashed potatoes and andouille.  After that, came dessert - a beautiful presentation of local strawberry sorbet on top of cream on top of a shortbread crust topped off with a chocolate tunnel covering.  Lastly, coffee and cookies.  Overall, it was an incredibly delicious meal with a very elegant presentation.

(The Chardonnay was offered to adults only!)

After our lovely meal, we walked back to school where some students went back to class depending on their correspondants' schedules. Some students planned on shopping after class.  Then of course - time with families or their new French friends.

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Château de Josselin

Today students went to class for an hour.  A few lucky students didn't have class this morning.  French high school schedules are a bit more like college schedules where students have different courses on different days and they start and end at different times.  Students typically start at 8:00 and may go as late as 6:00.  However they typically have a lunch break of 1 hour and 45 minutes.  Haven students are still quite surprised by the difference in teaching styles in France and the US.  On the whole, the French style is more lecture driven with less interaction between the teachers and students. They have also remarked on the differences of certain subjects like science and math that are taught differently.

After an hour of class, we took a coach to see the Château de Josselin about one hour away.  We drove through some lovely countryside scenery before arriving in the charming village of Josselin.  We got a tour of the Château.  The tour guide led us through the privately owned 1000 year old castle.  She gave an interesting history of the castle owners through the centuries and significant moments in the history of Brittany and France.

After the chateau, students met up with their correspondants for lunch.  On today's menu: omelets and fries.  For some students, they are finished for the day while others still have more class.  A few students said their correspondants had oral exams in English this afternoon that the Americans helped them with last night.

Overall, we've been lucky with the weather.  Everyone tells us that we brought the beautiful weather with us since it was rather cold before we got here.  Hopefully the sunny weather holds out.

This weekend, students have free time with family and friends.  I asked for some photos of their activities so I will post them if I get them.  Otherwise, the posts will resume Monday when we go to the restaurant school.

Dancing and classes

Today students went to class with their French host partners - philosophy (a required course in France), math, French, civics (another required course), economics, among others.  They had a break to learn some danses bretonnes - regional group dances.

They were greeted by the principal, Madame LeGrand, who spoke to them about fostering international understanding and what an opportunity they have with this exchange.  

Later, students went to lunch.  Lunch is quite different in France - for 3 euros you get a salad, hot meal, cheese, yogurt, and a dessert!

After lunch it was back to class.  And then back home for dinner with the families.  The French students have organized some outings for Haven students during our stay here.  Tonight they have planned laser tag!

We're here!

We made it! After a long day of travel - students are safe with their host families in Vannes, Brittany. We arrived around 8:00am in Paris and were greeted by our tour guide Elisabeth for the day.  We were able to take advantage of the beautiful spring day and see some of the sites including the Champs élysées and Sacré Coeur before boarding the TGV to Vannes.

Champs Élysées / Arc de triomphe

Students were excited and nervous about meeting up with their host partners and their families.  They were practicing their french greeting - mostly how to say what is your wi-fi password and can I get a shower before dinner.  They were also preparing to greet their host families with a bise - a kiss on both cheeks - and wondering which check to kiss first.  By now they will have had their first meal with the host families and then off to bed to get ready for class tomorrow.

A bientôt!