Getting to know Deauville- 2018 TA Elizabeth Whitlock's thoughts on the first month in Deauville

The first month or so in Deauville have been filled with new experiences and adventures. From getting settled in to our new home, finding exactly which local boulangerie has the best tarte aux fraises, to meeting our new co-workers at each school, every day here in France has held new excitements.

We three Americans spent our first few days discovering the world around us. The city of Deauville was nice enough to give passes to the American Film Festival here, which we took advantage of and saw a few great films and even spotted a celebrity or two. We passed more time by digging our toes into the cool sand of the Deauville beach. Wrapping up on the beach in a sweater and jeans was definitely a new experience for me, but seeing dogs and babies playing in the sand and watching horses trot along the waters’ edge made the chilly breeze totally worth it.

When it comes to our experiences at the school, all three Americans were nervous to start. Myself in particular was incredibly nervous to meet the kids for the first time, but the children are completely excited to see you, meet you, hear a little English, and find out about the strange far-away land you’ve come from. The teachers and counselors we work side by side with are incredibly kind and helpful. They are excited for our journey as well. Being surrounded by friendly faces makes the transition of moving and working in a foreign country a bit easier.

Though Deauville is a small town, there are shops, restaurants, and cafés tucked away down a random street, so if you allow yourself to just get lost for an afternoon, you can find some real hidden treasures. It is surprising how there are many elements that remind me of Deauville’s sister city and my home, Lexington, particularly in the stables where the horses are boarded near the hippodrome. I feel right at home.

In the coming month, I am very excited to get further into teaching. As of this blog post, we have completed our first week of classes, and are still acclimating and getting all the butterflies out. The kids are so sweet, and are one of the most rewarding parts of this experience.