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Ok so I apologize I am horrible at keeping up my journals :( 

Update since last time: I have met my newbies! They are absolutely amazing! It's so cool to see all the different languages and cultures together when we're in a big group. The exchange students really are amazing to talk to! I've found I'm not just learning about France's culture but other countries too! I've just recently been to the Louvre Lens with another exchange student! It's not as big as the one in Paris. But there was so many things to look at! Greek, Roman, Egyptian! I have to admit we mostly took pictures in front of the art. It was so cool to see this part of France because in the US I don't usually go to museums so it was quite a pleasant difference from my life in Florida. I also find day to day life in France is quite different to the US. For example in Florida I have a schedule and it's the same everyday, but here your classes are on certain days. Monday's I don't start school until 1:30!!! Also it's so cool I can leave school for lunch!!! My friends and I tend to go into the city for lunch. I just have to be careful not to be late! Which leads me to another weird thing. If the teacher doesn't show up class is canceled there's no substitute teachers. So you can go home if you like!!!! In France we're just about to go on break! Break lasts 2 weeks here! My host family and I are going up to the beach in the north. We'll be visiting some family of their's. Next month my Mum is coming as well! We're going to go to the south of France! It'll be really interesting for me. I have heard the south is completely different than the north. Then we'll drive into Paris. My sister is really looking forward to Paris, I just hope she's up for the weather in the north! It's definitely not Florida weather! The week they're here is definitely not enough time to show them all the amazing things I've experienced here. Though I'm not sure it's possible to explain or experience what it's like to live in a new country in a week. I currently have a lot to look forward to!

Read more about Isla and all her blogs

So this is my first journal. Sorry about that! It's been about 4 months in France at this point. It's amazing to see how my understanding of the language has progressed. I am still struggling with all the different tenses that French has but it's incredible to hear a sentence in a completely different language and be able to respond! When I first arrived in France I had expectations for myself and the culture and at this point I realize it's pointless. I am continually baffled and amazed by this country. I have traveled a lot and most of it in Europe so I told myself I won't experience culture shock. I was wrong, it the 1,000,000 little things that another country does differently that gets you. I find myself constantly shocked when I realize I'm adapting to these things. For one the public transportation here is huge! I remember being terrified when I had to do it alone. I got lost my first time. But I got myself un-lost without a phone or a good understanding of the language, and it made me realize that I can make it. I mean being an hour late to school wasn't anything to brag about but I did it! Now I adore the public transportation! It's amazing! I can't imagine exchange without it. Buses, metros and trains it's all so easy when you get the hang of it. My host families are amazing too which makes things go smoothly! I cannot even begin to explain how great they are. I mean my families organized for me to be able to go horseback riding here because they knew I love it. My current family happens to be hilarious! The funniest things happen here. And that's just with my family not even getting into the other exchange students! I'll be updating much more regularly now! Sorry about the late journal.