First day of classes. probably not unlike a United Nations meeting with Nicolas Sarkozy at the podium, insisting on speaking French.
About 30-40 students gathered in the morning, waiting to be split into groups according to the level of our French. The principal instructors stood in front of the class to explain the logistics of the school. I believe every continent had at least one representative among us, and of course the common language used when chatting among ourselves was English. I didn't participate since I arrived late (I got lost, as usual), and also since I would rather just speak French. Perhaps I am the Nicolas Sarkozy here.
I was placed in the group avancé, with other students from New York, California, the UK, Brazil, Germany, New Zealand, and Italy. Our first lesson was to talk about our countries including the national anthems, symbols, and our likes and dislikes of them. Too bad there wasn't anyone from the red states. George Bush's name came up often, always negatively. It would have been interesting to hear the opinion of someone who might like him or at least hate him a bit less.
Any interesting question was how we could recognize our compatriots in a foreign country. It appears that if you're loud and wear shorts, then you're American. If you're very loud and allow your children to run around, or if you wear certain shoes that are easily recognizable, then you are Italian. I have no idea what these shoes might look like since I am not Italian. The Germans have a certain way of dress, and the British like to wear sunglasses and hats. Apparently, no one likes tourists from their own countries. Maybe it's just tourists in general. They/we go to a foreign land, act our usual ways, not paying respect to local customs, thus easily stand out in every way possible without the least concern.
Another issue was how we are proud or shameful of our countries. As expected, the two Germans discussed the Holocaust, but they had slightly different points of view. One guy felt that the actions of Hitler and his people decades ago do not reflect who he is but that one needs to remember these events so that they are not repeated. The other guy stated very strongly that even though he wasn't alive decades ago, all Germans are still responsible for what did happen and need to live with the burden of past sins and somehow improve the world in any way possible. Two guys in their twentis, obviously different views.
