As Mardi Gras approaches, I thought I would take an opportunity to talk about French food. France is the culinary capital of the world, with bakeries and pastry shops lining the streets, displaying elaborate and mouth-watering treats.
In France, the holiday festivities do not end with New Years. Rather, they continue throughout the month of January and into the beginning of February.
Even though I am in France, it does not mean I did not celebrate Thanksgiving. My American roommate prepared a Thanksgiving feast for her French friends and me in order to introduce them to a great American tradition.
If it were not for the colorful leaves falling from the trees, I would hardly be able to tell it is fall in France.
Immediately upon my arrival in Angers, France, I was introduced to La Gastronomie Française! What is La Gastronomie Française? Putting it simply, it is the art of growing, preparing and eating rich, fine, fresh food. Thousands of varieties of cheese, foie gras, pâté, duck and goose are just a few examples of famous French cuisine.
As a group of friends and I exited the cafeteria Oct. 12, commotion and excitement greeted us. We were experiencing what the French call “la grève.” This demonstration mobilized young and old alike. Many students attending “lycée,” the French equivalent of our high school, stood up for their beliefs and exercised their legal right to strike. In fact, L’Union Nationale Lycéens exists in France.
I am an Eastern Michigan University student majoring in French education with a minor in history studying at L’Université Catholique de L’Ouest in Angers, France. Throughout this academic year, I will share with you my study abroad experiences, French culture and advice on studying abroad.
The white box is a raclette machine, and the trays are poeles.
The dish, crepe au caramel, is being enjoyed with cidre, a drink made from fermented apples
Eastern students Jenny Cannell, Megan Byrne, Danielle Sebranek and Kelli Bass stop for a history lesson and lunch in Nafplion, Greece.
Bass, Earl Parsons and Sebranek pose for a picture at the Parthenon in Athens as a part of their Mediterranean History Tour, which lasted 35 days and spanned four countries.
Solutions by The State News
