Aini reflects on first semester in France

There is a huge difference between living in France and living in Aurora, OH.

Just ask Juliet Aini. Aini is an Aurora resident who has been living in Tours, France since August as part of the Rotary Youth Exchange. Through this exchange, students from all over the world have the chance to spend up to a full school year in another country.

Aini still attends school, but there are slight differences between Paul Louis Courier in Tours and Aurora High. For instance, Aini may attend school for four hours one day, and nine the next. Students also get two to three hours for lunch, and can go out into the city to grab a bite to eat. Additionally, many students take public transportation to school, which Aini said she will have to do once she moves in with her second host family.

Tours, France and Aurora, OH are very different as well. Tours sits on the banks of the Loire River, which Aini says she enjoys walking by in her free time. It is also home to the Rue Nationale, which is a quaint shopping center with small, historic shops. In the winter Tours is home to a unique Christmas market, complete with a ferris wheel and open air ice skating rink.

For those with a passion for the wizarding world, Tours has the train station for you.

Aini explains, “It looks a lot like the one from Harry Potter.” It also has a public piano for anyone to give their own concert 24/7.

As great as Tours is, Aini says she has had to face several challenges while living there. Learning French at AHS and being taught everything in French has been the greatest obstacle she has had to face.

“Having to sit in class for two hours at a time and not understanding a word is so bad it’s funny,” she said.

Another challenge Aini had to face was making new friends. She says French students in general aren’t the most welcoming when it comes to new students and exchange students, but feels lucky to have been put in classes with welcoming individuals. Aini has met people from France, Finland, Italy, Taiwan, and Germany.

“I now have friends from all around the world.”

Even though there have been hurdles, Aini has had a great experience thus far.

“Each day is exciting in its own way. Every week in Tours I do something new and exciting and I always have great food,” Aini said.

Aini says she does not miss much about the United States. Though she misses her friends, family, and cat, she talks to them every day and knows they will be waiting for her when she returns home.

For those thinking of applying to the Rotary Youth Exchange, Aini says to go for it. It can be challenging, but will be easier if you can adapt well to change and being away from your family. She also says the process is easier for American students, as mostly everyone speaks English to some degree.

“It is a great experience and it will widen the way you see the world.”