The French

I've met some amazing people here. If you want to really know France, you have to start by knowing either the history of the country, or the people of the country, and then work your way towards whichever you didn't start with. A strong knowledge of one or the other is pretty important, I think.

Le Commerce, if you haven't already he

ard, is where everyone meets in Pontlevoy. We have parties there on Tuesday nights, and there are frequently "football" games on the TV if you go earlier some evenings. They have free WiFi, and it's actually a wonderful place for homework, as long as you're out of there by the time the insanity starts.

This is where I met a group of students whose families live in Pontlevoy, but who study at the university in Tours. Talking with them has been incredible: I've learned so much about France and about the way people think here. Of course it's always a little different, but there are so many things about American society that makes us think differently than them.

And, of course, Le Commerce is owned by Julien, who is famous for his wonderful little "speeches." If you hang around enough, you'll hear your share. He will talk about what he thinks about life, about being young, about Americans, about the French, and almost anything else, too.

It's essential to have these experiences- to share ideas and think about whether or not what you've always thought to be right is actually right.

Think about these things if you come here. It's an important part of this experience.