New Intern Jacques

I have now been at La Giraudiére for three days as an intern whose role is to assist the Project Director Paul.

I have really enjoyed my stay so far, but I seem to have brought the British weather along with me!

Apart from the clouds, the internship has been unique and insightful. Having learnt the standard procedure of dealing with inquiries via email, translating things from English to French, writing letters in French and receiving one on one tuition, I have had the opportunity to experience how a real business is run and at the same time been able to practice and apply my language skills.

On top of this I have very much enjoyed socialising with the other volunteers, in particular when we beat one of the locals at a game of pétanque. And I enjoyed watching Germany absolutely hammer Brazil in the world cup. Both Matt (a volunteer) and I were so shocked at Germany scoring four goals in six minutes that we thought they were showing replays!

La Giraudiére is a beautiful building, situated in magnificent rural France, which I hadn’t the chance to visit until now. I am sure I will highly benefit from immersing myself in the French culture, and will hence be better prepared from the internship for my year of study in Bordeaux next year.

I am excited to take part in the rest of the trips that Paul and La Giraudiére offer; and tonight it’s poker night so I’ll be off to test my Texas Hold ’em skills against the locals!