When I was deciding what to do for my placement I had the choice between studying at a French university or teaching.  Although I don’t want to be a teacher, I thought that having job experience would be good for later on.  Assistants tend to teach for only about 12 hours a week on average so I knew I would have lots of time to do other things and really experience the French way of life and culture.  I taught at a lycee (secondary school) in Orléans, south of Paris, and the students’ ages ranged from 14 to 19.  My smallest class had two students and the biggest one had 15.

I was pretty much left to my own devices as far as running the lessons was concerned.  The idea is that you give students the opportunity to really find out about the British way of life.  I did all sorts of things including having debates on school uniform, playing games such as bingo and doing general knowledge quizzes.  I used key dates in the British calendar to introduce themes and songs.  The British Council encourages you to take with you items that may be helpful and there are ideas for lessons on its website so I used some of those as well.

I linked up with another Assistant at the school and we explored parts of France together including Paris and I went to Spain as well.  I also joined a local gym.

I was paid €750 a month after taxes and I found that fantastic.  I managed to get very reasonable accommodation and after applying for additional support from the APL was reimbursed for the cost of my rent.  I lived in a foyer, an apartment block, with 15 other French-speaking students.  This was a great way to meet people.  I’ve already been back to France in connection with a university project and am planning to go back again to see friends.  I can’t think of any real problems I had while I was over there, but even if I had had problems, doing the placement gives you the confidence and self-reliance to be able to sort things out for yourself, even though you are in a different country.

I think the most satisfying thing about the whole experience was being able to communicate in another language and talk to people you would never otherwise have talked to.  Since coming back I have done some translation work and would like to do something in journalism when I graduate.