Ville de Fromage

Today we sat through a very long discussion of the French educational system, where I discovered that, while I have always (well…most of the time) considered myself a hard worker; I am, in fact, a complete slacker compared to French students. By their first year of upper-level high school (lycée), many of are already studying 4 other languages besides French: English, Classical Greek, Latin, and Russian/German/Spanish.

Also, the big deal in American schools is well-rounded students, skilled in all manner of disciplines. French students are specialized specifically in one subject, meaning that if I take a history class here, the French students have at least seven years of intensified history background.

On another note, for the “Grandes Ecoles” (high profile universities), you must be accepted to an incredibly intense preparatory school for at least a year or two before being accepted to the school of your choice – and all of this requires a very high score of the Baccalaureate exam (like the SAT, not like the IB tests I took in high school). For those students who end up at regular universities, 60% of them drop out.

GWU has a direct study program at Sciences Po, a very “Grand Ecole”, which has produced almost every major political figure in France. Admission to the program is as easy as applying to any other abroad program and study with the other students who have busted their butts for years to be there. I have to admit I’d be a little bitter if I were a French student in that situation!

So, after this very reassuring information and lunch, we reconvened and were presented with our course options. There is so much to choose from and I have tons to look over. There is the option of taking an art history class at the Ecole du Louvre, which I have been excited about for months. My friend Kate, also a year long student, is interested in taking class there, as well. However, when I asked questions about it, Madame Suraqui was very hesitant and continued to remind me that it was a complicated program. After class, I told her that Kate was interested, as well, and should we perhaps meet her before our individual scheduling appointments to talk about it? She said that I had not included in my application that I was interested in the program or she would have gotten more research on it.

In fact, I don’t remember what she’s talking about (and neither does anyone else – it was a while ago), but in the end she said it would be possible. Ultimately, I have every intention of being obnoxious about it until I know I’m enrolled at the Louvre. I told her I know I was being persistent about it but I really wanted to be there. The good thing is that APA has been wonderful, so I’m sure it will be fine. Apparently, the program at the Louvre is very specialized, and I need to know exactly what artistic period I want to study (and I’m pretty sure everyone else is going to be a lot smarter than me).

APA also offers two smaller classes just for us in Art History and the French Theatre. I have already been approved at GWU for the Theatre program and I’m taking other Art History, so I went with that. Anyway, we met the professors today for both classes and (no joke) when the Theatre professor entered the room every one of us (minus the straight boys) completely stopped paying attention to class. Professor Barut is young and, needless to say, very cute. I’m not surprised that he even influenced some people’s decisions which class to choose.

After class, Leah and I finally found the Monoprix, thanks to Bus Route 38, where my shopping list included fromage, bread, water, notebooks, shampoo/conditioner, and a 3 euro bottle of wine. First, they had a huge aisle of just cheeses (for like 1 and 2 euros – which at first I though was amazing and now realize is about $3, the same as I pay in the US). Also, all of my shampoo is in French even though it’s Pantene Pro-V. Finally, I should just take a moment to say that I legally bought a bottle of wine in a grocery store for a cheaper price than in the States (euros and all, I think). One more reason to love France.