If I’ve learned anything over the last few weeks while living abroad, [besides knowing where to find the nearest Boulangerie (bakery), driving a manual car without extreme anxiety or tachycardia, mastering the Faire la bise, adapting to a totally new environment, etc. (more on these later)], it is to not be afraid to fail or try new things. Here’s what I’ve been up to:
So I have officially lived abroad for almost an entire month. Time has flown by because I have remained busy coaching, playing, studying (french), working out, and exploring. I am starting to feel at home and I have established a routine. French lessons have started and I still can’t speak French but luckily I have time to learn!
This is where I have my private French lessons. My teacher is great, and unlike many French people, she enjoys speaking English, loves Americans and the USA. She has many USA memorabilia throughout her house, which makes me feel right at home! I love seeing the American flag each time I am there, as it definitely provides a feeling of motivation, courage and perseverance. All of which I desperately need to be able to learn and retain the French language.
I have two lessons a week, totaling 3 hours, along with a lot of homework. My teacher encourages me to speak French with the family I stay with and my teammates as often as possible. To say it is a challenge would be an understatement. Moving abroad and jumping into the French culture and trying to learn the language sometimes feels as if it would to be to jump into a swimming pool and not know how to swim. However, in my case, I am not drowning… unless I have to pronounce an “R” in French, then I literally have to gurgle then re-catch my breath.
On a side note, in order to become good at something, you have to fail multiple times. I know, I know, it sounds totally cliche, but sometimes we need a reminder of this concept, especially living in a society where people are scared to fail because perfectionism is displayed on the daily. And I still have to remind myself of this each time I attempt to speak French. Heck, it took me over 10 years to become a really good volleyball player, it’s going to take me longer than a month to speak French correctly and fluently! It can be discouraging at times, but I know that I need to fail in order to learn. #voila.
Along with attempting to learn French, I am still learning how to drive. I must say that my driving (a manual car) skills have significantly improved since I’ve been here. I no longer sweat as profusely or grip the steering wheel so tightly. But I guess I should add that I only drive at night when there are hardly any people on the roads. So me attempting to drive during the day would require a whole new level of expertise. But hey, it’s a start anyways, and I have made progress such as, making it home from practice without killing it or being stopped on a hill then accelerating without rolling backwards into the car behind me. Although I did have a close call once where I rolled back, what seemed like 20 ft, before accelerating while the car behind me was laying on the horn. (Oops) Anyways, I am proud of myself for the small improvements I have made so far and am looking forward to being able to drive on my own.
Here is a time-lapse video of the drive from the house I stay at to get to the gym, so you can get an idea of how terrifying it can be to drive here. I wish I could find a way to slow this video down a little, but you might be able to pause then scroll through.
Unlike my French speaking or driving-on-my-own abilities, volleyball has been going very well. We had another game, where we drove 2.5 hours to Nantes, France and got the win! Our record is now 3-0 on the season, with a big game coming up this week. There is just something about being back on a volleyball team that I cannot explain to you how thankful I am to be apart of. I get goosebumps thinking about the adrenaline, the pressure of my team counting on me to put the ball away on game point, the long rally’s.. moments like these are what I live for!
Either I am getting better at French, or Shop is getting better at English, but we are beginning to understand each other a little easier now. We still go on our daily walks around the neighborhood and he still barks at everything. Thanks to Shop, I know many words in the french vocabulary.
Just a couple more pictures of the neighborhood. Also in the bottom picture, you can see the lack of street signs, making it confusing as to which driver needs to stop or which driver has priority.
Since I now spend a lot of time going into the city of Tours for my French classes or going to the gym, I am getting more familiar with the area as well as the bus system. Tours is a beautiful city with many outdoor cafes and boulangeries everywhere you look. I have also discovered the markets they have on every Wednesday and Saturday.
As you can see, the city is very clean. Tours is also surrounded by two rivers, Le Loire and Le Cher. One day after french class, I walked along the Loire river on a beautiful day:
Besides exploring, learning and playing, I have also been coaching. This past weekend when I didn’t have a game, I helped coach a team of 4 boys in Paris. Luckily a parent coached with me so the language barrier wasn’t as big of a problem as I thought it would be. The boys played 4 on 4 and won both of their games! (Making the 3 hr drive one way worth it.) 
Another big part of the culture (besides eating baguettes and cheese) that I have experienced would be the Faire la Bise. For those of you that don’t know, Faire la Bise (means make the kiss in English) is how French people (as well as many other Europeans) greet each other when arriving or leaving. At first, it was a little strange and awkward for me since I’m not used to kissing complete strangers or someone I’ve never met before. But luckily it’s not a real kiss, just simply touch cheeks on the left then the right and kiss the air on each side. It almost feels natural for me now, as I do it many times a day. Be prepared or practice at home before you come to visit!
So far, it has been a great learning experience being abroad. Living in a foreign country can be both scary and exciting at the same time. Each day, I am living out of my comfort zone which forces me to learn and adapt. It’s not always sunshine and rainbows, or should I say fresh-baguettes and easy-volleyball-training type of days. But it is an experience of a lifetime that I am trying my best to absorb and enjoy despite being uncomfortable at times. Get out of that comfort zone, my friends! Bisous!
The Aud Blog 