September 25th, 2016-Another Day in Paradise

I really enjoyed today. We took a bus ride to the city of Orleans and learned about Joan of Arc and the history of the town. There were many things I learned. Most interesting to learn was that Joan of Arc saved France at the young age of 17 during Orlean's time of war. Joan of Arc had the courage to lead soilders in the fight. Although she was sentenced to death and died at 19, she is now considered a saint for her extraordinary role during this time. During our time in Orleans, we also visited the Cathedrale Sainte-Croix. I had never been to one so this was a new adventure for me. I lit a candle and said a prayer. I was then told that first-timers get to say a prayer that would turn into a wish. I hope it comes true.

Later that afternoon, we went to Domaine National de Chambord. The size of this chateau was bigger than life and more than anything I could have ever imagined. The chateau de Chambord mimics the ideas of Leonardo DeVinchi. One key feature of the chateau was the double helix spiral staircase.  This spiral staircase centered the structure and looked like our DNA structure. It offered a view of every floor as well as the canal that runs beneathe it. It was exciting to learn that everything in the chateau was done intentionally. DeVinchi was inspired by nature, science, language, numbers, and the environment so a lot of the patterns and themes were significant. More than a painter, DeVinchi also invented machinery that was practical and futuristically before his time. I intend to learn more about his works.

The day ended with a lovely intimate dinner at the convent between beginning professions and seasoned practitioners that all shared a new love for France and its rich historical footprints.

Another Day in Paradise…AKA…. France by Tina Lott-Kamara

Today we learned a lot about the history of France. We learned about everything from the 100 years’ War to the American Revolution and World War I & II. One of the many facts that stood out for me was learning that France is currently in its 5^th Republic which began in 1959. I also learned that, like the United States, the unemployment rate (about 24%) is an issue here that the French government is trying to work on. Most importantly, I gathered that although I am in a very different place with very different people, there are many commonalities between the French and the American culture. Some of these commonalities include the desire for improvement in the government systems, stable employment, and overall growth as a country. I also noted some key differences between our cultures.

The French have a more laid back, relaxed way of living life. French people spend 3 to 4 hours during meals times, whereas most Americans eat in a hurry in order to get to the next task at hand. The French believe that time is of the essence. It is the present moment and who one chooses to spend his or her time with that matters most. In restaurants, the French do not expect tips, whereas in America, not leaving a tip would be considered rude.

Another difference between French culture and American culture is the level of closeness. French people prefer to stand in close proximity to one another. This includes when having a conversation, sitting or standing on a train, or having a meal at a restaurant. Americans prefer space and distance and will demonstrate this by taking a step back or moving away to increase the distance.

One final observation of differences between cultures include the school systems. In France, children stay home with their parents through college. Once they go to college, they often go to the local college near their home. America’s schooling system is set up quite differently, where children tend to venture away from home after high school.

A highlight of today was having French professionals speak to us about what counseling is like in France. We learned about licensure and credentialing requirements as well as their views on mental illness and substance abuse. It was very interesting to see how other cultures address issues. It was interesting to learn that in France, alcoholism is not a major problem, as French people drink socially and not in excess. In America, alcohol is often misused and there are treatment centers in all areas of the city.

Later in the day, we attended a presentation by Dr. Pat Thomas. She taught us that there is a difference between wellness and health and the two concepts should not be used interchangeably. She also gave us an experiential activity where we focused on one of the 8 pillars of wellness. When we came back together as a group, I enjoyed the sense of safety I felt in expressing my experience with this activity.

A nice run through the French neighborhood ended my day. I can’t wait to see what tomorrow brings!  

Arriving in France - Sept 21, 2016

This afternoon we took a flight from Chicago to Paris and we were all fortunate enough to have an empty seat next to us (although we still didn’t get as much sleep as we would have liked!)

We met some other group members at Charles De Gaulle Airport at a little coffee shop. While we waited for the rest of the group to arrive, a few of us wandered around the Marks and Spencer grocery store and enjoyed looking at all the different European foods.

We bought warm croissants, French bread, fruit, salad, and even some popcorn! Over the next few hours everyone arrived and we began getting to know one another. We have a diverse group, including undergraduate, masters and doctoral students, counseling practitioners, counselor educators, and significant others outside of the counseling profession. There are participants from Arizona to Texas, and everywhere in between (Chicago, Florida, Indiana, New Orleans, North Dakota, New Jersey…etc.). Once everyone arrived, a coach bus came to pick us up and drive us to Le Mans.

We stopped after about an hour at a cafeteria to eat some lunch. There were hot and cold sandwiches, a soup and salad bar, a hot food bar, cheese, and desserts available.


A large picture helped visitors choose among the hot food options, including paella, fish, ham, chicken, pasta, steak, and a hamburger.

 

After lunch, we looked around the small convenient store and picked up some snacks for the bus.  Most people slept as we traveled through the French countryside until we reached our home away from home for the next 9 days.

Our hosts, Sister Ann and Sister Stephanie, welcomed us into their home, the Solitude. Sister Ann is the Mother Superior and Sister Stephanie is second in command, and together they provide leadership for nuns all around the world. After showing us to our rooms, we met together to learn more about the rich history of this sacred place we are staying.

The Solitude is an 8-acre property with a beautiful chapel, large meeting room, sitting room, library, a few dining areas, a balcony, and several residences. There are still 19 sisters living at the Solitude who range in age from 75-103. Sister Ann remarked that red wine, hard work, and fromage (cheese) must be the foundation for living a long life. Most of the nuns have worked as nurses and helped rebuild and nurture the country and its people after it was devastated from WWII. The oldest woman, Marth, was taken to a concentration camp during the war, and she willingly shares her story of survival during that time in world history.

Sister Ann and Sister Stephanie told us more about the schedule for our time here – most notably meal time, which seems to be especially sacred. They also offered to stop by the “Walmart of France” to pick up anything we needed or forgot from home, which I thought was incredibly thoughtful. They also brought us snacks, water, and coca cola!

Dr. Remely next provided us with the vision for these study abroad programs, which is to make a difference in the way counselors see the world. He encouraged us to learn both about French people as well as ourselves as Americans through our experience in France. Sometimes when people travel abroad, we can gain powerful insights about the way we live, love, and work and how it compares with other people throughout the world.

After our orientation, we got to experience our first French meal, which was meticulously prepared and served in our honor. The staff brought out the meals in several courses, including vegetable soup, salad, meat lasagna, several types of cheese, red wine, and dessert. After a long day of travel, it was a wonderful way to end the evening.