Neha Singh, Fulbright ETA 2017-18
As a young professional with experience in the private sector in New York, I was both nervous and excited when I discovered I would soon drop everything and move to Paris as a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant. Working in the public sector in a foreign setting has been a challenging yet rewarding experience (one-hour long lunches are such a blessing). It has allowed me to learn about the education system in France and identify notable differences; for instance, a teacher in France cannot hold a student back one year despite performance issues though a student can request to repeat a year. Living in Paris in a homestay has further given me the opportunity to immerse myself in the French language and culture. Consequently, when a teacher at my high school enthusiastically invited me to her home for the weekend, I was incredibly thrilled to not only meet her family but also exchange thoughts and ideas on our two countries.
In an effort to promote cultural understanding and bridge the gap between the United States and France, Jeanne, an English teacher at my high school, graciously welcomed me to her home. We spent Friday evening eating dinner at the home of one of her childhood friends, Natalie, who is currently hosting an Australian student. We discussed life in the U.S, France, and Australia and the differences in teaching. Natalie also shared the story of the disappointing experience she had when she hosted an international exchange student who was messy, rude, and culturally incompetent. Though she only stayed a week, Natalie mentioned that it felt as though she stayed for a year. The experience left a sour taste in her mouth, confirming the importance of cross-cultural education and management in today’s globalized world, beginning from as early as elementary school.
The next day Jeanne provided me an amazing tour of her area. In Auvers-sur-Oise, we first frequented the famous L’église, which inspired Vincent Van Gogh to paint the illustrious L’Église d’Auvers-sur-Oise, currently hanging in the Musée d’Orsay. We then visited Van Gogh’s grave; interestingly, the artist is buried next to his brother, Theodore Van Gogh. As we visited the Château d’Auvers, a group of students heard us speaking English and eagerly started chatting with us saying “Hello!” and “How are you?” Jeanne and I began delving into politics and policy as we deliberated issues pertaining to the French people today, sharing our respective thoughts on issues such as the new government under Emmanuel Macron’s leadership and the refugee crisis in Europe.
One of the best conversations I had that weekend was with Jeanne’s eldest daughter, Laura. Laura and I were discussing the pros and cons of an individualistic society such as the U.S and a socialist society such as France. Even though she is a terminale student or high school senior, she clearly articulated her thoughts on the differences between the two. We discussed the different healthcare systems and the results that each country experiences due to this. We also spoke about the dissimilar education systems; since she had recently visited Texas, she argued the differences she noticed between her high school in France and her friend’s high school in Texas. She was astonished by the amount of options for extracurriculars, sports, events, and general school spirit (she loved the idea of a school mascot) since this does not exist in French schools. The methods in teaching are also at different ends of the spectrum: France favors the teacher-centric approach while the U.S caters to the student. It helped us both realize just how different the two countries are, though both are Western powers and allies.
Staying with Jeanne and her family that weekend was an eye-opening experience. I learned not only about their way of life but also about the challenges that French citizens are currently facing. Our willingness to share anecdotes and details about our respective countries and cultures helped break preconceived notions, removing stereotypes and increasing compassion. Jeanne’s kind invitation to her lovely French home is an experience I will never forget and is easily one of the highlights of my Fulbright year.
Blog des lauréats de la Commission franco-américaine 