Skype Session Shivangi

During the Skype session with American students I was little bit surprised because French students know many things about their culture, their government… and it is thanks to  that there had a debate because on the other hand they don’t know much about France.

And I had already an idea of American people and I wanted to participate at this Skype session because I wanted to know if my ideas were correct or not.

At the beginning, I was little bit disappointed because I thought that they know some basic thing about France and when we asked some question about France they were not able to answer. But during the Skype session they were curious, interested and they asked questions about us. So after, the discussion was become a little more interactive.

I have notice that they are very individualistic and they are very proud about their health system and being American.

I have surprised about their point of view on the weapon. For them having a weapon in their house it’s normal and represents safety whereas in France it’s not normal.

This Skype session allowed having a direct conversation with them and asking all questions we wanted to ask. And this Skype session was interesting because it allowed us to exchange our point of view, learn more about American student and know how they think.

Shivangi

Reflection Upon the First Two Skype Sessions

What caught your attention/surprised you?

The Skype sessions were very interesting. The things that grabbed my attention the most were the level of the French students’ awareness about American culture. They had a lot of information about American politics and pop culture. For instance, they were talking about the death penalty in the United States. I have been in the U.S. for about two years, but I did not know about the states’ laws regarding the death penalty. They all knew Barak Obama, but I did not know their president François Hollande until the week before our first Skype session. Additionally, they focused a lot on the U.S. media. They watch so many U.S. shows that I do not even know any of them. When they asked about “Gossip Girl”, I had no clue about the show.  It is often surprising when I find out that others know about the culture or country that I live more I do.

What did you learn about ‘the other’?

I learned so much about France’s culture and people from our Skype sessions. Learning about France’s education system was thought provoking. Selecting a professional career path during high school was something that surprised me the most. This is because when I was in high school, I had no idea what I wanted to be and my parents helped me in selecting my majors in college. Although, the French education system is one of the most successful in the world, it is very cheap compared to the United States. Moreover, l learned that France has officially been a socialist country since the storming of the Bastille. The discussion about religion in school was appealing to me. Particularly, the French rules regarding the hijab and the burqa.

What information would you like to add?

During our conversations we talked a lot about healthy food and body weight. I just want to let my French fellows to know that not all Americans are fat or eat unhealthy food. We do have a lot of healthy food, but sometimes the healthy foods are a little more expensive. However, people do exercise. People have access to the gym and they try to stay healthy and eat healthy food.

Diba

My Presentation

Hi Guys,

My name is Adolo and I am 21 years old.

I am French but my parents are Congolese. And I live with them in Chatenay malabry, near to Paris.

I like travelling. I have visited a lot of places: London, Italy, Monaco, Brussels, Finland (Helsinki, lathi), canaries (Fuerteventura), Spain (Mallorca)

Except English, I speak other languages:

Of course, my mother tongue is French.

But I speak also Spanish. Actually I have learned this language in school for a long time.

And finally, I speak Finnish but just basic knowledge. I have learned Finnish during an exchange program in Finland.  (From August to December 2012). So, right now I speak 4 languages. For the future I want to be fluent in English and learn Chinese language.

So, what about my projects?

I hope to be a graduate in June with marketing techniques degree. And after that, I want to enter a business school to learn more about international business. First of all, I want to acquire a BA and then a MBA because I think the international business is the future. My professional aim is to be a project manager: The idea would be to solve management problems within firms by some projects. I am passionate about Asian markets. So, it might be a good idea work around these markets.

I am listening many kinds of Music: Rnb , Zouk , Hip hop, Pop Rock etc.

And for the Movies Titanic is the best film ever made! But I really like horrors films I enjoy being scared. Dancing movies I love that. I appreciate watch also actions films or humor.

My favorite series is Buffy the Vampire Slayer: the best series in the world!

I also like a lot of series like: desperate housewives, vampire diaries, 90210, Nikita, Greys Anatomy etc.

Fun fact: Free yourself and have to poop

Introduction – Malika

First and last name: Malika Bekiche

Age: I’m 18.

Heritage: My parents were born in Morocco, we are Berbers. They came in France in 70′s.

Where are you from? I was born in France.

Is your family in France? I live in Aulnay-sous-Bois, a city near to Paris with my parents and my younger brother. My older sister lives in Paris with her family, my other sister lives in the city of Nanterre with her family too. My brother lives in the same street that me with his wife. The rest of my family lives in Morocco.

The number and name of foreign cities/countries you have visited: I have been to Spain, almost every summer in Morocco and in many french cities.

Do you speak a language other than English? How long have you been learning these languages? I can speak a little bit of Spanish. I speak Chleuh (berber) that is my maternal language. I know a few words of Arabic. I have been learning English and Spanish in class for many years (around 8 years). I went in Arabic school when I was younger.

What is your future project in terms of academic project or future professional project? I would like to integrate a business university next year but I would also to go in Audiovisual and Cinema. Maybe I will try to pursue my studies in a foreign country like UK, Japan or Canada.

Music you like: I like all kind of music. I can quote some singer or band like Foster the People, Cobra Starship, 3OH!3, Sexion d’assaut, La Fouine, FUN, Green Day, Muse, Huey Lewis and the news, Green Day, Linkin Park, M83, Mark Ronson Maximum The Hormone…

Movies you like: I mainly prefer fantasy, horror and science-fiction movies: Inglourious Basterds, Lords of rings Saga , Gatacca, Drive,  Alien Saga, American Psycho, The Faculty, Avengers, American History X, Shaun of the dead (and all zombie movies)…

TV series/shows you like: Doctor Who, Being Human UK, Game of Thrones, Supernatural, Once Upon a Time, American Horror Story…

A fun fact: I have hypersomnia.

Photo you like:

Audrey’s introduction

Audrey Mendy

23 years old

Parent from Africa (Senegal and Guinea Bissau)

I’m from Rouen in Normandy (France)

My family is  still in Normandy but I live in L’Hay les Roses near Paris and I’ve some members of my familly in Portugal, Spain, The USA, Senegal and Guinea Bissau.

I’ve visited Spain on holiday with friends. I have family in Portugal, Senegal and Guinea Bissau I went in those countries to visit them. I went to Belgium with school. I did an exchange program in England with an English girl for a week when I was in high school.

I speak Manjak and French since I was born. Manjak is one of the several languages from Guinea Bissau but it’s also spoken in Senegal. I speak also English and Spanish since junior high school.

I want to have a master’s degree in international exchange because I want to start my own company in Guinea Bissau.

Music:

-I listen to differents kind of music such as pop R&B, hip hop, rock

Movies:

The lord of the rings, Intouchable, Think like a man…

TV series/show

The real husbands of Hollywood, Vendredi tout est permi,

Shivangi – presentation

Hello Everyone,

My name is Shivangi PATEL, I am 19 years old.

I am French girl but I have Indian origin indeed my parents are Indian. I live in Montreuil in France and is near from Paris. So, my family is in France. But I have some member of my family who are living in United States. But the majority are in India.

I have visited: London; Italy; Helsinki; Lahti (Finland); India.

I speak others languages than English :

• I speak French,
• Italian;
• little bit Hindi
• I speak Finnish (just basic word thanks to my Erasmus in Finland. It’s an exchange program for students and gives the opportunities to study in a foreign country),
• Gujurati (Indian language) which is my native language, my parent teach me this language.

So I speak 6 languages.

I learned English and Italian in the junior high school and Gujurati and Hindi since my childhood.

Right now I am in second year of university. And for my future I want to integrate a Business school in order to do a BBA and after that a MBA.
I have chosen this, because I want to continue in international business and in the future I want to go in other country. And I think, this school will help me to improve my English and learn more about international business and have an professional experience.

I like listen music like rnb, Indian music, sometime rap

I like also watch Indian movies, horror films, some action movies…

And on TV I like reality show, series like desperate housewife, vampire diaries …,

A Fun fact: I want to travel around the world

Introduction – Aurélie

First and last name: Aurélie EZIH

Age: I’m 20.

Heritage: Togolese. Togo is a country situated in West Africa.

Where are you from? I am from France.

Is your family in France? I lived in Enghien-les-Bains, near Paris. My elder brothers live in France. My uncle and my two aunts live in Lomé (Togo) where I regularly go. I also have family in Germany.

The number and name of foreign cities/countries you have visited: I have been to Togo, Ghana, Benin, England, the Netherlands, Germany, and Belgium.

Do you speak a language other than English? I speak Togolese and a little bit of Spanish.

How long have you been learning these languages? I’ve been learning English and Spanish since the junior high school. And I’m speaking Togolese since my childhood.

What is your future project in terms of academic project or future professional project? I would like to integrate a business school next year to pursue my marketing studies. Also, I want to spend one year in the USA or in Australia. After my studies, I don’t know in what area I want to work. I think it will be in something I am really interested like the fashion, music or events industries.

Music you like: I like all kind of music. I’m listening to many things such as Jay-Z, Florence + The Machine, Frank Ocean, P-Square, Fuse ODG, Lana Del Rey, Miguel, Erykah Badu, Disiz, Youssoupha…

Movies you like: Gangster Squad, Django Unchained, Back to the future 2, Intouchables.

TV series/shows you like: I regularly watch New Girl, Suits, Dexter, Breaking Bad, How I met your mother, The Fresh Prince of Bel Air.

Photo you like: Everything is said in the picture!

Presentation – Romain

First and last name: Romain G.

Age: 21

Heritage: My mother was born in France, my father in Iran.

Where are you from? I was born in Paris.

Is your family in France? Mother’s family in France, father’s in Iran.

The number and name of foreign cities/countries you have visited:
I’ve visited more than 10 countries I’d say…Mostly in Europe (UK, Spain, Italy, Germany) as a tourist with my parents, also in Asia (Iran, China, Malaysia). I’ve been studying in Ireland during a semester. I went to the States twice, West coast in 1998 and East coast in 2007.

Do you speak a language other than French? How many languages do you speak ? How long have you been learning these languages ?
French is my native language. I speak fluently English and I have an intermediate level in Spanish. I learned those at school. I also speak just a few words of Italian and Chinese but it’s nothing.

What is your future project in terms of academic project or future professional project ?
I’d like to enroll a business school next year and try maybe to go study in the US in an exchange program. After the degree, I don’t really have anything settle in mind but working in the sports business is something I’m thinking of.

List 3 of each:

Music (band, singer, dj…) you like
DJ Premier, Ray Charles, Disclosure

Movies you like
Pulp Fiction, He Got Game, The Spanish Apartment

TV series/shows you like (include a short description)
Games of Throne, How to make it in America, Entourage

A fun fact
I’ve met Tony Parker

Introducing, Mia

My name is Mia and I am 21 years old.

I am Danish. I am born at Frederiksberg, Copenhagen and raised at Hørsholm, which is a bit north of Copenhagen. My family is Danish, and living in Denmark, except my aunt and her husband – they live in Texas, USA.

I love to travel, and use every possible opportunity to experience new cultures and places. The places mentioned below, is some of the places I have visited:

Europe: London, France: Paris, Saint Tropez, Cannes, Nice, Val Thorens, Tigne, Les deux Alpes, (and other small cities, especially in the south). Berlin, Italy: Rome, Venice, Torino, Genova, Cinque Terre, other small cities and different ski resort. Vienna, Prague, Croatia: Split and other small cities. Scandinavia: Stockholm, Oslo, Hemsedahl, different ski resorts. USA: New York, Florida (Miami, Fort Lauderdale…). New Zealand and Fiji Islands. Asia: Cambodia and Vietnam (backpacking). South and central America: Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Bolivia, Peru and Costa Rica (Back Packing)

My native tone is Danish, and I have learned English in school since I was 8 years old. At 13 I started taking French classes, which continued through High School. Last semester I took courses at the French Institute in Denmark to prepare myself for living in Paris. Unfortunately I am still having a lot of difficulties with the language. I hope my stay in France will improve my skills.

Right now I am doing an exchange stay in Paris. When I come back to Denmark at the end of the semester I will continue my studies at Roskilde University. Next summer I will get my bachelor degree. I have a study job at Danish Crafts, which is an institution under the Danish ministry of Culture. I will continue this job when I return to Denmark. My thoughts of my academic future involves a 5 week summer program at Parsons – The New School of Design in New York and probably a master in Management of Creative Business Processes at Copenhagen Business School.

My taste in music is depending on my mood and the scene. In general I have a very varying taste in music. Some examples could be; First Aid Kid, Patti Smith, Bob Dylan, Bon Iver, Arcade Fire, Rodriguez, Beach House and so on..

My taste in movies and series’ is also depending on my mood. The titles mentioned below is some of them which have had an impact on me; Movies: The Dreamers, Kill Bill, Lords of Dogtown, Intouchables, Le Fabuleux Destin d’Amélie Poulain and many more. TV series: Modern Family, The Wire and so on.

A fun fact: I do not like chocolate.

Introduction Omer

Introduce yourself

First and last name: Omer Al Mileik

Age: 20

Heritage: French with Sudanese origins.

Where are you from : I am from France but I also lived 6 years in New York (US) when I was smaller.

Is your family in France? My family on my mother’s side is in France but my family on my father’s side is in Sudan (but I don’t really know them to be honest)
The number and name of foreign cities/countries you have visited. I’m not sure about the number but I have visited some interesting parts of the US when I used to live in New York, like the Grand Canyon and Death Valley, California. I went to a great trip in Hawaii when I was 12. I visited Sri Lanka a few years ago. And I stayed in Rotterdam for a semester as an exchange student last semester which I really enjoyed.

Do you speak another language than English ? How many languages do you speak ? How long have you been learning these languages ? My first language was French. Then I started learning English in New York when I was 6 years old. I have been learning Spanish in class for many years but still don’t manage to speak it…

What is your future project in terms of academics project or future professional project? I have been learning business and management for more than 3 years now so I would like to start to learn something else like Audiovisual or something in music because it is something I truly love. But no precise future project besides that. In parallel with my studies I am starting a record Label with some of my good friends. We all share the passion of record collecting and some of us produce music.

Music (band,singer,Dj…) you like : Producer and DJ Theo Parrish. And A tribe called Quest.

Movies you like : Django Unchained; In the pursuit of happiness

Tv series/show you like (short description) Breaking Bad : A high school chemistry teacher who was diagnosed with inoperable lung cancer and turns in a life of crime using his chemistry knowledge in the aim of securing his family’s financial future before he dies.

A fun fact : I love to travel.