A Letter To My Students

To all of my students from Jean Monnet and Albert Camus:

Why would an American come from across the ocean to teach English to a few classes of French teenagers? Think about that question for a minute. It wasn't because I needed a job, and it wasn't because I needed money.

What's more, it was not easy to move to France. I had to pack up all of my belongings, and put them in storage. I had to say goodbye to my family and my boyfriend and my friends, and even my cat:

 

(He really wanted to come with me, but I told him it rains a lot in Normandy, and he decided to stay in Atlanta. He doesn't really like rain.)

It also cost a lot of money to come to France, because the plane ticket was not cheap! And I had to buy things like boots and scarves and a very warm coat for the winter, things that I don't usually need in Atlanta. 

Trying to stay warm in the cold Flers winter!

 Even when I arrived in France, things weren't easy, at first. On the first day in my apartment, I didn't even have sheets or a bed cover. During the first week, I ate mostly yogurt and cereal, because I didn't know what to cook and I was so tired from my trip. 

And then I got to meet YOU ! And you told me all about yourselves, and the music you like, and the activities and sports you enjoy. I was really looking forward to teaching you. And you know, when I first met you all, you kind-of reminded me of myself, when I was younger. Only, I don't remember how I grew up so fast. It seems like yesterday, I was this girl:

That's me, on the far right! Age 13!

First visit to Europe, age 17

Paris, year 2000: the year I graduated from high school!

Yes, I know, I looked different. And I was a different sort of person. But I was very curious about other people, places, cultures. Most of all, I was curious about languages different from my own. And the first time I heard this song, I decided to learn French. 

That was the beginning of a big change for me. Learning a new language meant that I stopped always thinking about myself and my world, and started thinking about others, and about the whole wide world.

Then I wanted to learn more about everything. I became very curious!

If I'm telling you all this, it's so that you'll understand that playing video games won't get you anywhere. I know they're fun, sometimes (hey, I used to like to play Mario Bros. when I was little), but they really won't get you anywhere. 

But being curious will get you somewhere. Start looking around yourselves, and ask questions about how things work, about how other people live. Try to watch, and try to observe, how other people are different from you. Ask yourself what makes them different. Don't judge them: they act and look as different to you as you do to them! Just try to imagine what their lives are like, and what makes them who they are.

In Nepal, meeting some of the locals :)

In Mexico doing volunteer work with very poor children

Most of all, travel places. But do it soon, while you're young; don't wait until you're old, because you'll never travel, otherwise. It takes a lot of energy, and it can be very tiring to be in a new place! In order to travel, you're going to have to work very hard in school, so that you can have a good job, because it costs some money to travel. Traveling doesn't have to be super-expensive, but it isn't free, either.

So try not to get into trouble, and try to work hard at your lessons. Don't get distracted by your classmates or by your troubles. Some of you have a lot of troubles, with your friends or with your families. Just remember that one day you will be an adult, and those troubles will go away; probably, you'll have different troubles, but your life will be your own then. And don't forget, no matter how bad your problems are, some people have even worse ones.Try to be different from people who have hurt you, or have made you feel bad. Try not to make others feel bad, even if they've been mean to you. 

Another thing: never give up on yourself. You all have so much potential, and each one of you is very smart. I have seen you work hard, and when you do, you learn many things. But sometimes you get embarassed to show that you've learned those things. Don't be embarassed! It's hard to learn something new, and when you learn it, you should be just as proud as if you've won a soccer match. 

I know, English isn't easy, but it will help you discover the world!

You are all going to be adults before you even know it. And then you'll have to work and become something in life. I hope that you'll become exciting, respectable, interesting, hardworking people. I hope that you'll try to understand the world around you. I think that every one of you will grow up to be someone really cool. I wish I could see you grow up, but that's part of being a teacher: you have to say goodbye to your students eventually!

Bisous to all of you; I will miss you! Keep studying English!

~Lauren