I am 'following' a class called Techniques d'Expression Français. Basically we work as groups to research an approved topic and then present it to the class.
I had met with my group (2 French girls and me) a couple times this week to prepare our presentation that we were to give today. Each time we met I left feeling like they thought I was a little slow.. and that they weren't sure how much I'd really be able to contribute. I had typed up most of what I was going to say and they seemed to approve.
Today I got to campus at 11:30 to go over what I was going to say and try and print off the couple pages so I could have a guide if I got lost during my speech.
By the time I was ready to print it was 12h10. I asked the librarians if there was a place on campus to print, because the computers in the library aren't hooked up to printers. I was in luck and just down the hall there is a copy room with one computer and 3 copy machines. I plugged in my USB drive and pushed print. The big copy machine made a noise but didn't print. I noticed on the side of the beast there was a place to insert a card. It didnt say what kind of card, so after a couple of failed attempts at printing I decided my lack of card must be the problem. I tried my student card. No go. In desperation I tried my bank card.. My heart stopped as the card taker made a horrible noise. I was sure I'd never see my shiney French bancard again! Luckily it was able to make its way out. I tried to coax the machine to do what I wished it to, but to no avail. A couple other students came in and hurried through the process. One was buying something on the back wall.. a card! When she was done I went to buy one. The machine only took change. Just like every other machine here.And like every other time I try to purchase something from one of these dreaded machines I only had paper money. Luckily I found 20 centimes in my wallet! The minimum purchase was 2 euro.
Luckily there is a cafeteria next to the library! I went in and asked the lady taking money if she could give me change. No, she said they couldn't possibly do that, and she doesn't know where on campus they would! Tears of frustration were threatening to pour out at this point. Things like printing 2 pages of notes should not be an impossible feat at a university campus!
In desperation I ran up to the study abroad advisors office. It consists of 2 nice ladies who are here to take care of all of us foreigners running around campus lost and confused. I asked them for change but they didnt have any either. But! They would let me use their printer!
We pulled up the file and.. the computer didn't have the write program to open it. Apparently the computers in the library use some random word processor that isn't used anywhere else on earth.
Its now 12h30. Classes here start between 5 and 10 minutes late so I wasn't too worried. I hoped that I would be able to pull up my file on one of my group members' computers. Luckily I was able to and we got through our presentation.
After class the teacher gave us some feedback. I was told by him and my 2 group memebers that I don't need to speak so fast! Fluent French speakers! Telling me that I speak to fast?! I took it as a compliment and slowed down my speech. It is easier to speak when you dont feel like it all has to come out at once.
After class I found out that my next class was cancelled so I tagged along with my group memebers and their friends. (this is not something Im used to doing. Look at me attempting to be social and speak French!)
We eneded up at the library for the next hour. I understood at least 75% of what was said and even helped one of my new friends with some of her english homework.
Im half exhausted and only through one of 4 classes today but I just wanted to write about my silly struggles and my great successes of today while I am still caught up in the moment.
Thus far in my experience, even when I am so upset im crying, I cant really feel bad for myself. I am here in France living my dream and not failing completely. :)
Life Is Good.
I am glad you aren't completely failing at life. That's got to make you feel good.
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