Impressions on the European Week
For many people all round the world, the week 29th-5th March 2003 is just another week in the calendar. For the students in six European schools (from Biecz, Ploiesti, Tampere, Montargis, Lancaster ,Rendsburg). I'm sure that things are different: they held the Comenius European Week. I participated in the European Week at Montargis and this was an unforgettable experience.
We were greeted at the airport by two French teachers who helped us to get out of the maze-airport Charles de Gaulle. Even if this attempt was quite difficult, after some hours of strolling in the airport, we finally managed.
We all were taken aback by the stunning architecture of Paris and we were delighted with the fantastic view of Eiffel Tower, of "bateaux mouche" on the Seine and of the breathtaking Notre-Dame. The swarms of tourists on Paris streets are images commonly seen.
After a walk in Paris, we went to the meeting place in "Place de la Concorde", where we met the Finnish and Polish groups. Then, we went back to the airport to pick up the Germans and the English. At the beginning we were a little bit shy, but soon after we introduced ourselves to each other, everyone could overcome their shyness.
By approaching "Le Lycee en Foret", my heart was pounding, as I was going to meet my host with whom I had got in touch previously via e-mail. In my opinion living among French people and sharing their way of living is the best means to get familiar with their customs.
On Monday we visited the school building and we stayed about an hour at CDI ( cabinet de documentation et d'information ) where we were told the "history" of the school. It was very interesting to see how the school libraries differ from one country to another.
On the following day, the 1st of April, we made a trip to the castles on the Loire Valley; we managed to visit Valencay, but even if on Monday we were told that we would not have enough time to visit Chambord, we relied on the idea that that was a trick. On Tuesday, when we went to the castles, we realised that indeed, there was not enough time to visit Chambord. However, we admired only the outside of the castles whose intricate stonework contributes to an awe-inspiring sight that stands out in my mind.
On Wednesday, we had to put into practice the survival guide. We all, the guests, went to Montargis on our own (without our hosts). The high school was in the middle of a forest (Lycee en Foret) and there were 30 minutes walk to the town. We were given maps and questionnaires to fill in, based on the monuments seen in town. Pretty difficult, none of us really had orienteering skills.
On Tuesday morning we wrote our impressions on the previous day and chatted on line. But the afternoon was especially attractive, as we went to Briare and I saw canal locks for the first time.
The next day I took part in an Economics French class, while the others in classes of their interests. After having lunch together in Montagis, we went back to school to sing in unison, an activity that was full of much fun.
It was amazing to realise that even if we come from different countries, we could understand each other (by speaking English and sometimes French) and what is the most important thing, we became friends. I cannot but admit that speaking French as well was of great help for me.
All in all, Montargis - "the little Venice of the Gatinais" - is not only a picturesque town with canals and bridges, but also a welcoming one whose hospitable inhabitants like sharing it with others.
Dragomir Alina, XI M1
