The following is a poem/skit and a rap that the students wrote to describe their experience with their homestays, to highlight some of the challenges faced and wisdom gleaned, and to poke fun at their communication gaffes during the experience. It was presented in front of their host families at the Farewell/Thank you party at the end of the homestay. The families and group leaders/partners were blown away by the creativity and laughed tremendously.
When a French family takes you in
When a French family takes you in, be prepared to introduce yourself with a kiss on each cheek.
You. Me. Do not speak the same language. Be prepared to not understand.
Know the words: Bonjour, bonne nuit, merci, de rien, excuse-moi, and ALLEZ LES BLEUS!
The toilet will not always be in the bathroom…
And remember: a small circle for number 1, big circle for number 2!
At dinner, make space for bread and cheese… and more cheese.
Snails, oysters, tartar (aka raw meat), they eat just about anything here… anything.
Plan three outfits three days ahead, because you wont get them back any time soon; they air-dry your clothes.
Showers, let’s talk about showers. 1 minute rinse, 1 min soap, 1 min scrub, 1 min rinse. Then… get out!
Keep your eyes open, take in what’s around you. France is beautiful, not just the Eiffel Tower. But watching glass being made right in front of your face, or seeing gates dusted in gold.
Ok, this one ‘s cool. Picture this: grocery store, full cart, and you don’t have to put it on a conveyor belt. You pull out a small remote and pay. Beep!
When a french family takes you in, take advantage of that moment, live your best life, because you’re in France.
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Quand une famille française vous accueille, soyez prêt de faire la bise.
Vous. Moi. On ne parle pas la même langue. Soyez prêt de ne rien comprendre.
Apprenez au moins ce qu’il faut: Bonjour, bonne nuit, merci, de rien, et ALLEZ LES BLEUS!
Les toilettes ne seront pas toujours dans la salle de bain. Et n’oubliez pas: les deux boutons sur la toilette servent à des choses différentes!
En dînant, il faut réserver l’appétit pour du pain et fromage… et encore du fromage.
Les escargots, les huitres, le tartar (alias “viande crue”), les français mangent presque tout… presque tout.
Sachez bien en avance comment vous allez vous habiller, parce qu’il faut attendre jusqu’á ce que la linge se sèche pour la porter.
La douche. Parlons de la douche. Une minute pour rincer. Une minute pour le shampooing. Une minute pour le savon. Une minute pour rincer. Puis… c’est fini!
Faites attention à tout ce qu’il y a autour de vous. La beauté de la France se trouve non seulement dans la Tour Eiffel, mais aussi juste devant vous, soit en observant la production de lu verre, soit dans les portails dorées.
Voilà un autre truc génial de la France… Imaginez: le supermarché, le chariot plein, et on n’est obligé de rien mettre sur le tapis roulant. On sort un petit télécommande et on paye. Beep!
Quand une famille française vous accueille, profitez du moment et prenez des risques, parce que vous êtes en France.
This is France
We just wanna travel
Going up to Europe
First we’re off to Paris
Meeting all of you (ohhh)
Traveling to Nancy
Goin to meet our families
Doing the excursions
Having lots of fun……… x2
This is France
Won’t catch em slippin tho x2
Everything’s perfect tho
This is France
Won’t catch em slippin tho x2
Everything’s perfect tho
This is France (yerrr)
Beauty is everywhere
Walk to go everywhere
Toilets they costs a fee
Yea, This is France (oui)
Metz and Strasbourg
They’re on the map
Paris you marry em
Yea yea I saw em taking pictures
Yea yea this is amazing times
Yea yea we get to hang with siblings
Yea yea a week to live their lives
Yea yea Early mornings yea
Livin life, we blessed
The Experiment
Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh, tell somebody
You go tell somebody
Rita told me, Tell yo story, story
Fefe told me tell it (tell it)
Go and Tell yo stories
Go and Tell yo stories
Stories
This is France
