"My Rouen Page" a Rouen Travel Page by arv1

At my sixth form school, when I was first told about the opportunity to spend a week working in France I was intrigued and looked forward to the challenge! I knew I would regret it if i did not apply so I sent off my form immediately and was accepted. I then learnt that the experience would be in Rouen.

At first I did not know anything about Rouen but all you have to do is open a French history book and discover why this city is soo amazing!

It is the place where Jeanne d'Arc (Joan of Arc) was burnt at the stake by the english army, after she led France to victory!

Ever since I found that out, I anticipated my arrival in Rouen!

We were in Rouen for 8 days, but all us 14 students worked for a different amount of days, our hours totalling to 35. I worked 5 and a half days.

My only duty was to put labels on different products. This was not mentally stimulating at all but the purpose of the experience was to learn french to a better standard, which I thought was quite successful. Because of my basic french skills, I was in the stock room and did not have to talk to customers. However, the people I worked with were absolutely wonderful!! They made me feel very welcome and were patient with my slow verbal skills! I am much more fluent today!

I remember on my penultimate day, all the people I worked with conveniently forgot to tell me that they would be having a fire drill the next day! SO, imagine how i felt, turning up to work to find all the lights off, and hearing an overhead say, in french, what was happening. Luckily, the voice repeated it in english, so I knew what was happening!! My manager was extremely sorry though!!

I
LOVED
IT!

Overall, though the work was very tedious, I had a great time!! This may have been because I made such great friends at work and the other students. I would definately recommend working abroad!! You grow so much as a person and meet people who are so different from you, but are also amazing!!

Maybe I loved the independance, or maybe I loved the work (not possible) or maybe I just loved the ambience!? I don't know what it was but I want to return to Rouen! The people were, and surely still are, so friendly! It was such a cosy place and I wish i could have stayed there longer!

Such a beautiful city!

WOW!