25 May 1st Week in Riviere-du-Loup, Quebec
A La Pointe, Riviere-du-Loup, Quebec
Why in the world do the French speak so freaking fast! I started My Explore journey on Sunday evening on May 17 when I met some of my peers in the program on the train to Riviere-du-Loup, Quebec. I was intrigued by all the types of people the program attracted. My program has 72 individuals and majority of them are from the east coast. They were very fascinated by the idea of a student from the west coast considering how far away we are. Everyone is somewhat like minded as it takes a certain individual to leave their home to live in a foreign culture in another language for five weeks. They were friendly and it was really easy making new friends. I was excited!
We arrived in the city just after midnight and a big yellow school bus with our instructor who took us to our hotel. The next day we began our orientation with an oral placement test, buffet lunch, tour of the city, and assignment of our homestay families. When I initially found out I wasn’t going to be on residency and was placed in a home. I was bummed. The program only has residency during the July/August program when their semester is over. I initially applied for the July/August program but I got bumped up to the earlier one. I wasn’t stoked about it and was in total shock that I was leaving earlier than anticipated should I have been accepted into this program. I’ve lived independently for quite some time now so the idea of living with someone really freaked me out. However I kept telling myself. It’s time for new experiences and I need to be more open minded. I have to step outside my comfort zone. I’m also not allow to complain since this is a once in a life time opportunity. Beggars can’t be choosers. So I got over it. Then I found out from one of my instructors that there would be roommates in the home stays which calmed me down and the idea comforted me that I wouldn’t be completely alone. WRONG. My peers got roommates but some of us ended up going into the homes solo. I was one of them.
My host is a 68 year old widow who has one son and grandchildren living in another city. She is a petite lady who doesn’t speak much English. My host home is in downtown and is 800m from the college. They also don’t have a transportation system so I have to walk everywhere. I pretty much live in the boonies and my legs are always sore. She prepares all my meals for school and we have dinner together at the table every night between 530-6p. Although I have to use a translator at the dinner table, I have had an interesting time with her. It’s nice to hear all her stories and I can feel how happy she is having me around. Although the jokes are delayed by like a minute while I’m trying to scrabble up words in French so she understands me. LOL Today she asked me if I wanted to go for a walk with her. I really didn’t want to go. I was so lazy and tired from studying all week but I promised myself I would learn to say yes more but I was secretly dreading it inside. She initially asked for a 30 minute walk and I compromised with 15 minutes. It ended up being very nice. I’m glad I said yes.
I am truly happy getting to spend time with someone from a completely different world. Most of my peers got families with pets and kids but it’s ironic how I was paired up with a soul like hers. Life pushing me outside my comfort zone, should I allow it to. I knew coming into the program it was going to be really different but boy… it really is a culture shock. There isn’t’t even signs here in English except the post office.
Sebka, Saint-Andre, Quebec
MY SCHEDULE BREAKDOWN:
French 100 – Monday to Friday – 830-1130 am
Creation and Innovation – Monday’s – 115-415 pm
Discovering Riviere-du-Loup – 115-415 pm (elective)
Quebec Culture – Wednesday’s– 115-415 pm
Sports & Nutrition – Thursday’s – 115-415 pm (elective)
All of my classes are in French and it moves very quickly. No one talks in English which is fantastic to an extent but for learning I had no idea what they were trying to teach us. I spent half my time translating into English then translating back to French. It was so mentally exhausting. I have a newfound respect for immigrants who come here to learn English.
Tuesday
Orientation Day
Night event hosted by the school
During orientation, they initially used French and English so all the newbies like myself can comprehend. However, half way through orientation they stopped using English which completely frustrated me because they were going over emergency exits and rules that I couldn’t understand and they wouldn’t explain it to me in English. By the 3rd day I was so home sick. I started doubting whether or not I wanted to actually re-apply to study abroad with Capilano U because of how hard it was for me the first few days. Eventually some of my classmates and I in my block met up to discuss in English how hard it was for us as beginners to comprehend anything. It was so nice to just wind down and relax our brain.
Wednesday
Evening stroll on a very small strip
Thursday
Played ultimate Frisbee in class
Weight-trained with my new friend, felt 200% better
Evening volleyball tournament , we came 4th out of 6th.
Friday
Weight-training
Shopping for protein powder
(They have our schedule pretty jam packed during the week)
Saturday
Hiked at Sebka, Saint-Andre, Quebec
Went out downtown with my new friends
Sunday
Studied at my favourite coffee shop “Van Houtte”, best tea ever.
Ecole de francais groupe A
I still can’t believe I live in Quebec right now. Bonsoir!
Until next time.
AL <3
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