Playing soccer at the Maison de Quartier "Club 6-12 Ans"
La Vie Continue, 13e
Final Community Service Workshop
Marika Rosen prepares thank you gifts for host sites
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Hôpital Necker
"The hardest part of my community service was overcoming personal apprehensions about my French and how it might hinder possible friendships or relationships. I was already timid about trying to start conversations and with each mistake or blank stare, I felt my hopes of ever getting to know these people sink lower. Yet, I tried to see my struggle with the language not as a hindrance but as a bridge—one that gave me the humility necessary to approach the kids and ask them to teach me something. Surprisingly, what I thought would be a wall of awkwardness actually ended up being an open window. Looking back, I am so thankful I hadn't known French as well as I wished. I learned so much about loving and caring.
The ability to communicate and speak with other people—what I thought was my strongest attribute—is not always what people are looking for. My lack of French disarmed some and made me seem approachable."
Patricia Tsai
Benjamin Franklin High School, LA
Ecole du Centre, Vanves
"At first, I was scared about working with anybody for the community service project. The language and the sometimes political strain between France and the US could interfere. The whole idea of being a complete alien in a community that knows each other extremely well was the most frightening.
By the end of the first day, I walked out and knew that I had never been more wrong in my entire life. I did not sense anything other than positive feelings. I stepped in the doors and was one of them.
This service project's importance has been focused on education through people, the natural meeting of people, not culture. There's no single 'culture' that can be defined for each French man and woman.."
Gillian Javetski
Newark Academy, NJ
"The most challenging aspect of my community service was finding my role. I worked as an 'intern.' I did activities with the kids such as drawing, making jewelry, playing cards and games, and going to the park. I got the greatest sense of satisfaction from the kids. The ones that knew me and were happy to see me every day made me feel as if I did something that made an impact."
Charlotte Duleyrie
Ridgefield High School, NJ
"I've found that French culture is formal...but more, it is very affectionate—from simply observing the animatrice—childen at my community service work site or mother-child relationship in parks. There is a lot of pause and assembly here."
Emma McCormick-Goodhart
Concord Academy, MA
Espace Plein-Ciel
"How can I define the work I do or the impact I make? I work at the hospital each day from 2:00-5:30 playing games and acting as a friend to hospitalized kids ages 9-20. But what do I really do--not as a rhetorical question but a constant one I ask myself each day? Sometimes I feel I'm just the awkward English-speaking outsider. Other times I take a deeper look and hope that maybe my presence does have an impact. Maybe I'm making a difference not just with the hospitalized ones but also with the other volunteers who are here for countless hours, dedicated always and very kind. Some days I feel frustrated, outcast, and alone. The good news is each day gets better. I wonder if I have made any imprint. Does my presence connect in a way that cannot be expressed on a verbal level?
I look into the kids' faces. You can see the innocence. Sadness too. But one of the best aspects of this job is to see them smile radiantly, something they rarely do while trapped in the confinement of their hospital room. Perhaps it's not happiness completely, but it's a moment that I get to experience. And that's when it hits me. I contributed at least to that moment."
Ginette Rowe
Hockaday School, TX
l'Hôpital Sainte Périne
"At my community service site, they let me follow them around and make them repeat themselves, and were not at all impatient with me. In fact, they were kind and understanding. Every day, my supervisor does her job to the fullest and is deeply concerned for her patients. She persuades the reluctant ones to participate in group activities. She makes this world a better place.
How can sadness bring me joy and joy bring me sadness? The moans of the elderly pierce my heart. Their faces are withered, hollow, discolored, and loose; somehow I find them beautiful. I wish to paint their portraits and capture their deep gazes. Mme Joubert is always smiling and she welcomes everyone into her warm presence. How can someone with hardly any life left find such happiness in the simple things she does have? Mme Memmi wishes me luck, happiness, health, and a fiance to embrace. She calls me poulette. She dances and sings in her wheelchair and makes jokes with the nurses. All I can do is smile because I don't know the words to tell her how amazing she is.
But, this heavy sorrow sets on me while I watch Mme Memmi laugh with Mariane or Mme Joubert hobble through the garden. I know they have lived their lives to the fullest and continue to spread happiness, but they soon will pass and they have resigned themselves to the fact. They are at peace that these are their final years, but I am not. I want Memmi's laugh to always be echoing through the halls. I want Mme Joubert's smile to be always lighting up a room. They have moved me in such a simple bittersweet way.
I have felt awkward, embarrassed, foolish, and useless many times at Ste. Périne, but I am so glad for what I have experienced. Oh Paris! How it has changed me. It has given me a new-found confidence. I feel independent and distinct."
Elizabeth Parsons
Allandale Columbia School, NY
Fondation Paul Parquet, Neuilly, Maison des Enfants
"I was a helper with the children. I played with them, made sure they didn't get hurt, held their hands when taking walks, helped feed the ones who had trouble, and gave a lot of physical attention like hugs, kisses, holding, carrying or throwing in the air that they loved so much.
The most satisfying was at the end of each day. The kids would ask for a kiss, which made it clear that despite language, social, and cultural barriers, they accepted me and that on some level we had an understanding.
I am extremely fortunate in what the kids taught me: never underestimate anyone's abilities including one's own; enjoy simple pleasures; live in the moment; take care of those you love and who love you.
Mai-Linh Pham
University of South Florida
"At my site, a hospital, there were children with severe mental and physical disabilities. Usually I sat with them while they played in the little pool or in their rooms. Most of them were not very responsive, but some laughed or smiled. It is very difficult to work with handicapped children, but it's even harder when they can't talk or walk, and for the most part are unresponsive. I did talk with the nurses. I am proud of myself for opening up instead of closing myself in. I discovered I am more open and accepting than I thought."
Libby Henry
Convent of the Sacred Heart, CT
Kid Club Chatillon
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Kid Club 6-12 Chatillon
"My language skills improved at Kid Club. More importantly, my people skills improved. Before coming to Paris, I hadn't spent that much time with kids 6-12. I didn't think I would like the club very much, but the kids were awesome and easy to interact with. I learned that although I can be initially shy, good things happen when I commit myself and jump right into an activity."
Noah Kraft
Washington International School, DC
"I was mostly in the role of an older sibling for the children. We played games outside and inside, and participated once the children showed me the basics. But I also provided minor disciplinary service like saying 'Arrêtez, vous deux!' if someone was about to start a fight.
I discovered that I possess the courage and leadership skills as well as adequate language skills that allow me to dive right into a new situation without much hesitation."
Morgann Lyles
Westminster Schools, GA
Kid Club 12-15, Chatillon
"It was challenging because we didn't really have responsibilities so I had to take it upon myself to integrate with the kids. It was hard in the beginning not to feel like an unnecessary person.
Not only did I learn about children of another culture, but I got over a lot of my prejudgments and misconceptions. I learned to see beneath the surface; that I can affect the outcome of a situation and make it better or worse; how much love I can have for people I barely know; and how passionately I can want to help people.
I'm glad none of them really spoke English so I had to speak in French. They taught me through themselves and their own big hearts how to love them so I learned how big my heart is."
Jenny Kurland
Watchung Hills High School, NJ
Hotelia Champs de Mars
"Working with the elderly, two factors contributed to a communication barrier—age and language problems. Some of them could not hear, some had no teeth and could not be understood, and some had lost all ability to communicate verbally. On top of that, my limited French mastery added to the challenge. I tried to speak slowly and articulate and sometimes had to ask people to explain what they wanted in a different way. The greatest satisfaction was seeing their smile when I came and the excitement we gave them. Sometimes it was hard to see people with large handicaps, dementia, and/or complete dependence on others.
I learned the importance of living life to its fullest, especially when you're young. Also, I've found that sometimes I live life too quickly, that is, I concentrate too heavily on certain things I have to do instead of stopping to smell the roses."
D'Arcy Wright
Davis Senior High School, CA
Centre au Loisirs
"This summer I had wanted to find myself again. I gained courage, flexibility, calm, friendships, and a lot of knowledge about how to interact with others.
Recently, I read a bit more about Marian Wright Edelman. She is quite an inspiration. She said, 'You really CAN change the world if you care enough.' I like to think that maybe, in the tiniest way, I changed one of the kids I worked with, or one of the students I spent time with, as they changed me. And I like to think that after Paris, I care a little bit more, too."
Kristin Drouin
Deerfield Academy, MA
l'Hôpital Vaugirard
"Being at this hospital reminds me of the compassion involved not only with working with old people but also what the French culture exerts for a comfortable and caring health-care atmosphere. No one at the hospital seems lonely, because every nurse and staff member places an emphasis on catering to the wishes of the men and women living there. Unlike American hospitals that run on schedules, guidelines, instructions, limitations, procedures, and a prevalent fear of liability or malpractice suits, at l'Hopital Vaugirard there is respect between the nurses and patients.
The fluidity with which things run is testament to the French culture. They're serious when they need to be without creating unnecessary drama over trivial incidents. They're brutally honest with one another which also creates the open environment, and they are not afraid to break open champagne and celebrate together a resident's achievement of reaching 99. American hospitals always have a stale unnerving raw feeling because of the bad rapport between staff and patients. Here, nurses and patients alike know how to find that crucial balance between working and playing which is why my job often involves little more than wheeling a patient from gymnastiques, to games, to a piano performance, and making sure everyone is having fun. These women in their late 90's early 100's aren't alone, strapped into bed staring at a ceiling. They're singing, dancing, drinking, and enjoying their lives through to what seems like a distant end."
Allison Prevatt
St. Andrews School, DE
Pari's des Faubourgs
"I have learned to not be afraid, to be curious about other customs and cultures because, in reality, everyone is willing to share a part of their life and experiences with someone—all that someone has to do is ask. When I attended a BBQ one night at my site, I spoke French for the entire time, and the next morning I was mentally exhausted...but in a good way.
I have discovered many things about myself from this experience. I dislike being late and I am not very lucky at catching the Metro, but I also discovered some confidence that I didn't know I had. Somehow I forced myself to participate in challenging activities I would normally be hesitant about. I now see how much I've grown."
Kate Balderston
Hotchkiss School, CT
"I found I was not skilled enough in the French language to properly communicate. I was often very shy. The children most of all encouraged me to speak. They spoke slower so I could understand and used simple vocabulary to make it easier. Their care helped me become more involved. Although I struggled, I was still able to develop relationships and that I will never forget.
I discovered a sense of curiosity. I was never a very courageous person, but now feel completely different. I learned to push myself and question things further."
Emily Kamen
Frances Parker School, CA
La Porte Entr'ouverte
"I have improved my language skills because as the kids read and learn, I do too."
Caitlin Abrams
Dwight Englewood School, NJ
Association des Paralysés, 14e
"Over the weeks at my community service site, a very slow evolution of my relationship with the residents and staff at the hospital has taken place. In the beginning, I smiled as much as I could, was unsteady in French, and was somewhat insecure about what I thought everyone at the hospital thought of me. Now, I am friendly, relaxed, and courteous.
The residents especially have been welcoming and eager in accepting me into their home and helping me to improve my French. The staff I believe has done their best in having a clueless American teenager in their workplace. Their acceptance has been much more slow, but very genuine.
My oral French and vocabulary has improved so much more by being in the hospital than it ever has being in any class--as well as my knowledge of French society and my ability to adjust to a very foreign environment. For all of this I have to be immensely grateful."
Katherine Crowe
Menlo School, CA
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Manchester, VT 05254-1212