You capture this time so well! It took me right back...
I too got packed off on a French exchange in the 80's. It started well, our inner city school was buddied up with a school from Leeds. I hit it off with a boy from that school and we got 'friendly' on the Dover-Calais crossing. Very unfortunately, I was one of the kids staying on the outskirts of Paris, with a slightly odd family, away from all my friends. I mean, the family could have been okay, but my only memories are of them making me dodge the ticket machine, when they dutifully took me into the centre of Paris. I also remember one of the kids staring at me in the shower, through frosted glass. I remember horrific floral wallpaper and bedspreads, and eating mounds of crepes with fried eggs on top. I may have mustered a 'merci' but I don't think any other French was muttered. It was a strained stay. My absolute focus was being with my friends.
Did anyone have a productive exchange?
It was creepy, but not surprising to hear of the dad who did dubious stuff with you, ergggh. I'm pretty sure this kind of thing is the reason kids don't get plonked into families anymore, or if they do, they're heavily monitored/selected!!
Thanks Anna. Love this. You’ve reminded me that there was also some ticket-dodging Paris Metro stuff occurring on my exchange too. It’s funny what leaves a lasting impression! I’m not surprised exchanges don’t seem to be happening much these days, if at all. They are a minefield and advance ‘checks’ must be prohibitive. Any teachers out there who have organised one recently?
As ever - a great read, Tess. I went to Denmark for my exchange - and stayed with a hot boy, the only girl to be paired with a boy!
When I returned the favour and he visited us he gave me a ceramic dove as a gift - I hang it on my Christmas tree every year and think of that time. I can’t quite recall his name but I do remember I read a Gilly Cooper novel on the ferry over - Polo! What a time to be alive 😂
Thanks Cath. I love the thought of the Dutch ceramic dove hanging from your Christmas tree. The only girl to be paired with a boy, a hot boy…..that’s a whole different experience again. I think that would have made me very flustered. Perfect 80s reading material too. Bring on the TV adaptation of that.
You capture this time so well! It took me right back...
I too got packed off on a French exchange in the 80's. It started well, our inner city school was buddied up with a school from Leeds. I hit it off with a boy from that school and we got 'friendly' on the Dover-Calais crossing. Very unfortunately, I was one of the kids staying on the outskirts of Paris, with a slightly odd family, away from all my friends. I mean, the family could have been okay, but my only memories are of them making me dodge the ticket machine, when they dutifully took me into the centre of Paris. I also remember one of the kids staring at me in the shower, through frosted glass. I remember horrific floral wallpaper and bedspreads, and eating mounds of crepes with fried eggs on top. I may have mustered a 'merci' but I don't think any other French was muttered. It was a strained stay. My absolute focus was being with my friends.
Did anyone have a productive exchange?
It was creepy, but not surprising to hear of the dad who did dubious stuff with you, ergggh. I'm pretty sure this kind of thing is the reason kids don't get plonked into families anymore, or if they do, they're heavily monitored/selected!!
Thanks Anna. Love this. You’ve reminded me that there was also some ticket-dodging Paris Metro stuff occurring on my exchange too. It’s funny what leaves a lasting impression! I’m not surprised exchanges don’t seem to be happening much these days, if at all. They are a minefield and advance ‘checks’ must be prohibitive. Any teachers out there who have organised one recently?
As ever - a great read, Tess. I went to Denmark for my exchange - and stayed with a hot boy, the only girl to be paired with a boy!
When I returned the favour and he visited us he gave me a ceramic dove as a gift - I hang it on my Christmas tree every year and think of that time. I can’t quite recall his name but I do remember I read a Gilly Cooper novel on the ferry over - Polo! What a time to be alive 😂
Thanks Cath. I love the thought of the Dutch ceramic dove hanging from your Christmas tree. The only girl to be paired with a boy, a hot boy…..that’s a whole different experience again. I think that would have made me very flustered. Perfect 80s reading material too. Bring on the TV adaptation of that.