I'm working in TWO secondary schools!

I've been given my schools!
I'm surprised it has happened so early but all the paper work arrived yesterday... and good grief there was quite a bit...mostly in French too! I'll be working at Collège Germinal and Collège Pablo Neruda (the famous literary poet hurray). My time will be split 50/50 in these schools. What is really cool is that approx. by train/car they're 20 mins away from Douai and the house I'll live in! So yes the British Council and French Government do read your applications, as these schools aren't close to the city centre at all, but Douai.. HURRAY!

So what's a collège? Essentially a secondary school, broken into 11-12 year olds up until 14-15 year olds. Unlike England, kids leave to do the rest of their education in a lycée (16+) and do not stay in these secondary schools. 

These documents although they look horrific were so so useful, yet I have to warn ANYONE going on the assistantship this year or in future - they have a huge policy about the birth certificate translation - the translator we were given at UON is perfect (after much panic of emails sent between myself and the translator!)

Next steps - I've emailed the school today so I'm waiting to be given info on the day they wish to see me, a contact in the school I can talk to and then the transport around it! 

When I return from Greece in August, i've got to deal with the following

- insurance

- 4x passport photos (annoyingly I only have 3)

- make photocopies of everything

- MONEY (ew)

- say goodbye to everyone!

Off to Greece then......

JR

Booked Mon Billet*!

*my ticket!

As of yesterday, I've officially booked my ticket to France and I leave officially 7 September 2016.

I was originally hoping to move a little earlier than this, but as I'm staying with a lovely French family, I just have to go when they're ready! So what does this mean? This means I'm officially moving (woo!) but also that I'll have my 21st birthday (11th sept) in France! Very exciting.

I'm going to be picked up in Lille Europe by the French family and then the adventures shall begin! I've organised, as of yesterday too, a set amount to pay this family. So I'll be living and eating with them! Will I live with them all year? Hopefully. With still no sign of a location on the school, we are hoping it isn't too far for public transport/taxis. If this proves too difficult, I'll be looking to move again in October half term.

Living in the now....I just need to book some insurance and pack?!? I do feel a bit nervous, but it still feels so distant right now I'm not overly worried. Roll on the summer with the family and friends!

But first thing's first, a family holiday to Greece!

Au revoir!

JR

TWO MONTHS TO GO!

Lille - Town Centre

In two months I'm going to be living in Lille, in the North of France! I'm going to be living, breathing and eating in the French way of life (ooooh-lá-lá) but I'll also have a job in a secondary school teaching English. Those poor students having to listen to this accent... At the moment I have no idea where this school will be so...stay tuned!

Feelings currently? Really excited, I'm definitely living with a Northern French family (une famille ch'ti) and my best friend out there for at least one month!
Nervous, hoping I'm ready as a human being to do this....and not cry 24-7.

Insurance is about to be sorted, then I just have to book my train ticket and sort my Erasmus....oh the joys of paper work. GET ME THE CROISSANTS!

Stay tuned :)

JR