Week 3: It's a Flat World

This was the view from my run on Friday morning. It still amazes me that I get to live surrounded by the mountains for four more months. This was the end of my second week of classes. I am getting used to having four to six hours of class each day. I switched out my French politics class for French Literature and Poetry and I am so happy that I did. I went to the literature class for the first time this week and it was amazing. I think it will be harder then the politics class but it is worth it since I am interested in the topics and what we are l. So far we have analyzed a Victor Hugo and an Arthur Rimbaud poem. It is not easy to understand the French and then the poetic meaning behind the words as well but I am enjoying the challenge because it is beautiful once you understand.

My goal for this week was to meet more people, specifically other international students and native french speakers. So on Tuesday I went to a French conversation table for French learners at my level where I met other international students. On Thursday night my program director put together a gathering of French students who where wanting to learn/practice their English and it was great being able to talk to them and practice my French as well as meet new people. We asked some French students about what where some American stereotypes and the response was "Americans think the world is flat". Can't say I was expecting that one. We asked them why and they didn't seem to have a good answer.

I had the opportunity to explore Grenoble more through a scavenger hunt. We where split into teams and went around the city finding different statues, buildings, and restaurants. I found a cat cafe that I will definitely be going back to. I am excited for when the weather gets a little bit nicer because Grenoble has so many parks and places to sit outside, and then all of the fountains will be going as well. They will be great places to read, hang out and eat with friends, or do homework.

This is Sauri's favorite place to sit in the house. Watching the birds...