October 10, 2012- Group presentations at university and TGV to Paris

Breakfast at the hotel and packed up bags for checkout.

Headed to University of Angers for group presentations on multi-cultural topics. 3 hours of presentations.


Business building at University d'Angers

The group presentations were very interesting. The class from Angers was truly international with students from France, Poland, UK, Madagascar, Romania, Germany, China, Ecuador, Italy, and South Africa. I probably missed a few.  The group topics addressed cultural differences in settings including: dining, job interviews, advertising, dating, the environment and sustainability, and a special nationalist presentation on POLAND!

I was very disappointed in our group's presentaiton on dating and relationships. We had really interesting conversations during our class worktime, but these thoughts were not well represented in the final presentation. Our Prezi left a lot to be desired and my group was pretty shy in making the presentation. The attitudes about dating and relationships do vary between the nationalities represented in my group: French, Polish, American and Madagasy. The French seem to be very casual regarding dating. The go out in groups and have no expectations around marriage, even if the couple decides to have kids. French weddings are paid for by the couple and are not normally held in churches, since most French are agnostic. Polish and US attitudes seemed to be similar with more one-on-one dating and family weddings usually held in churches. Madagascar seemed to be the most conservative culture regarding dating and marriage. Young people live with their parents until they get married. Dating is formal and parental permissions are required. Weddings a large family events.

After the presentations, we took tram to train station and had lunch there. Ate at a fantastic seafood restaurant right across the street from the train station. On TGV at 2:30 pm. Took a nap on TGV and before I knew it we were in Paris!


Lunch across from train station in Angers



  


TGV in Paris

We took taxis to the Best Western and had a few hours to unpack and rest before meeting in the lobby with group to explore Paris. Met friend of Dr. Medlin's, Laura, who took us on a tour of Champs Elysees to the Arc de Triomphe. We stopped at an Italian restaurant along Champs Elysees for dinner. We enjoyed the terrific pizza and lasagna. The Champs Elysees is really beautiful at night. Got to Arc de Triomphe and took pictures. The stairs the the top were closed. Took the subway back to hotel.




Dinner along Champs Elysees

Arc de Triomphe at night