Like many graduating seniors at UCSB,
I was unsure of what I would do after I received my cap and
gown. The first year after graduation is an uncertain one.
One professor gave the seniors the advice that I'm sure every
parent would dread, "If you're not sure what you want to do,
don't force it, travel, explore the world and you'll figure
it out." Well that was a good plan, but I needed some funding,
exploring the world after all can be expensive.
Having already spent a year in France
I decided that I would like to return to Europe. I found a
program online through the French government to teach English
in France. Through the program you choose a region in France,
the age of students you prefer and then after a fairly painless
application process you are given a contract of seven to nine
months to work as an English assistant.
Several months after I applied I received
an acceptance letter with the name of the French village where
I would be teaching, Foix. Being a student, I instantly went
to Google to learn about "Foix". There was very little; Foix
was located in Southern France near Spain and there was a
castle, that was about all Google would tell me.
At first I was nervous about where was
I going, was it worth all the trouble to move to another continent,
how do you teach English?? All of my fears were allayed when
I stepped off the train and saw my new home, castle and mountains
included.
The Château de Foix
As any new experience would be,
the first few weeks were challenging. For the first time I
was no longer a student. As an English assistant I was now
on the other side of the table. While teaching I gained a
new respect for all of my previous professors and teachers.
Another challenge I faced was being one of two Americans in
my French village. For many people, I was their first impression
of an American. I was responsible for explaining American
culture to my students and how Bush could have won a second
election to my friends.
Some of my students
Although teaching English abroad
can be challenging, the effort is far exceeded by all the
amazing experiences you gain by working and living abroad.
After dealing with French bureaucracy and the beloved French
strike, I acquired a new level of patience. Living in a small
town and being welcomed into the homes of professors and students,
I gained a fuller, unique sense of the French language and
culture that I had missed as a student or tourist. Teaching
French students I learned not only about their culture, but
also about my own, seeing my home from a completely different
perspective.
I would recommend teaching English
abroad to someone who wants to explore another culture and
who wants to have a new sense of their own. It requires patience
and an open mind, but it will leave you with experiences and
skills that you will use the rest of your life.
Spending a year in France teaching
English allowed me to follow my professor's advice. I was
able to travel and explore Europe and I did figure some things
out. Next year I will be returning to Dijon France to pursue
a master's degree in international wine trade.
All the information to become an
English assistant in France can be found at the French Culture
site:
Global & International
Studies Program
University of California, Santa Barbara
Room 3044, Humanities & Social Sciences Building
Santa Barbara, CA 93106-7065
Tel: (805) 893-7860 Fax: (805) 893-8003 www.global.ucsb.edu
