Aero: Arvilla Mast – France 2018 – Family Life
Aero: Arvilla Mast – France 2018 – Family Life
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Arvilla Mast
The week in Paris was a whirlwind and I didn’t have time to worry about meeting my host family until the two hour train ride to Vitré. I needed some time to collect my scattered wits, but it was the fastest two hours of my life. Before I knew it, we were at the station surrounded by all kinds of unfamiliar faces, and I was gripped with absolute terror at the thought of leaving the comfort of my group. It’s hard to believe that a weeks later we would be at that same station, hugging, kissing, and promising to visit again.
My host family was absolutely wonderful! They treated me like one of the family and were so worried about making sure I was comfortable and okay. I probably looked like I was about to have a meltdown when they picked me up. We had not communicated before I met them so I knew absolutely nothing about them. They all spoke at least a little English which was nice, and the mom spoke a lot so she acted as translator much of the time, and in a pinch, google translate saved us many times. The parents were wonderful and first thing made me call them by their first names. My host student had one sister who was lovely. There was a dog names Plume who was so fluffy and a cat named Nougat. I fell in love with them first thing and it was great to have them to distract me and calm my nerves when I first arrived.
School days we would be up by seven, and there was always yogurt, fruit, toast, jam and a variety of breads for breakfast. We would leave by eight and my host students sister would drive us. Sometimes she drove us home and sometimes the parents would pick us up. They both worked, although I never figured out what their jobs were. It was amazing, the house was always spotless, we never had anything less than a three-course meal, and it mostly seemed super healthy too, not the fat saturated diet we’re used to. Our main course would be something like salmon, vegetables, and a grain. Than we would always have a bread and cheese course, and then dessert. They’re super conscious of waist as well. I never saw one of them leave anything on their plate. They also only use washable cloth napkins and I never saw any kind of plastic silver where of paper plates. Also, at the grocery store there are no plastic bags. Everyone has their reusable bag, and if you forget it you you’ll have to buy another. That’s one thing I very much admire about their culture and I’m trying to be more conscious of wastefulness here at home.
It was interesting observing the French family, my family seemed to be super close to each other and very happy. They always had family dinner, and family time just seemed to happen naturally all the time. The mother was so attentive and was always busy making sure we didn’t need anything, or making food, or doting on her husband. It was a very traditional household with the mother in charge, giving orders, and keeping the house running smoothly. I don’t know if this is a typical French family or if they were an exception. As a rule, it seems like all Frenchman have very few children, one or maybe two but no more. But raising that child well seems of utmost importance. The girls had so much of their parent’s attention and seemingly so many opportunities. I liked that about them very much, it was just a super peaceful house. They were shocked and amazed by the fact that I have five siblings!
They seemed very focused on having a well-balanced life. Each of them had their sport that they participated in. I think the father played football, and the mom and girls swam. We usually watched some TV together in the evening, mostly news and such. Sometimes it was on during dinner, but not all the time. They were interested in learning all about my life here at home and asked all kinds of questions about America. My host student hopes to visit next year which would be wonderful! That week with them felt more like months, you get very close to your family very fast in the study abroad situation. Being at the train station only a week later was so surreal. You’re there again with the same people who only a week before you didn’t know at all, but now it’s truly a sad parting, and you’re promising to visit again and keep in touch.
Arvilla Mast
Study Abroad – France 2018 @ FLCC
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