The Host with the Most

Studying abroad in Angers offers the opportunity to live with a host family. While there, the people who offer their house to me will likely be one of the most important relationships I will have. What kind of people want strange college-aged students from foreign countries intruding on their lives for months on end? Crazies.

I'm going to change their names until I get a chance to ask if they are comfortable with me writing about them on the Interweb. For now, I will affectionately refer to them as 'those people.'

Recently, I have been checking my e-mail like a mad man waiting for a correspondence from Professor McDowell, the program director in Angers. He was supposed to send an e-mail with specific information regarding my host family about 8 days ago. Unfortunately, that hasn't come yet. I have, however, received information on 'those people' through back channels and some Interweb sleuthing (a friend of a friend lived with them last year). It all appears to be good news.

I will be living with two middle aged doctors whose children have since moved out of the house and whose grandchildren visit frequently. In fact, one of their sons (potentially their only son, I'm not sure) is a major politician in Angers and has his own Wikipedia page (he's pretty important). I'm pretty excited about playing with the grandchildren which will help improve my French skills.

Furthermore, I guess these people host multiple students at the same time. I will share the entire third floor of their house with (potentially) two other foreign students. More specifics will come when I get there (or when I get that e-mail, but I'm not holding my breath). I hope to meet someone from a European country who sort of knows his way around the place. In a perfect world, I'll make a life time friend and have a place to visit on future European adventures. Still, this could be a fun experience or a terrible one. I'm leaning towards fun for now, but I'll keep you posted.

The second floor suite (the French don't count the ground level as a numbered floor, so I'll really be on the second floor which is equivalent to the American third floor) is equipped with a refrigerator and microwave. Also, I hear the misses is a good cook, so I look forward to our weekly meals. Maybe I can get on her good side and she'll teach me some traditional French cooking.

More positives: The house is about a five minute walk from the university and a number of other important destinations (e.g. train station, supermarkets, etc.). Mme. may or may not do my laundry for 6 euro (a bargain considering laundromats can be expensive).

I think I'm going to like it there. Either way, you'll hear about it, especially if I feel passionately about the situation. And if they really are crazies, you'll be the first to know (with or without their permission).