La Fin

Seven months later I have finished the job I came out here to do. The weather is pretty much as it was in September- blue skies and sunny days though not much chance of lasting through the Easter break. This isn't great news for my soon to be arriving guests, so fingers crossed a bad Easter weekend will give way to more Provencal sunshine.

Today I walked back from school for the very last time. I took lots of photos over the week of my children, but obviously can't post these online so I took some photos of the various posters and cards that I was given over the week, that hopefully prove the children didn't find my presence too offensive (not including my 8am Thursday class who have been a nightmare of epic proportions). In fact, today, I was very surprised and touched by the reaction of the students to my last day. We had hugs and 'bises' (kisses) all around, with some of the children coming back for two, three or four bises. My favourite class presented me with all the posters they had prepared, and a beautiful bunch of lilacs. The girls were in tears when I left, and made me promise to come back and see them next year.

'I loved doing English with you,'

'Thank you for everything, good luck for the furture'

'Bon voyage and thank you for everything'

'Thank you for teaching us lots of English words. I hope we helped you.'

'Thank you for everything my favourite teacher, I love you'

'Thank you, we will miss you,'

'Thank you for everything you've taught us'

'Thank you for teaching us a beautiful language'

So it seems I have survived this experience as an assistant, and there doesn't seem to be quite the words to sum up what an experience it's been. It has been without a doubt one of the most challenging things I have ever done in my life, but also one of the most rewarding. There were many rainy days of November and February that I really had to dig deep to find the strength to face another class who didn't want to learn English, and the teachers who didn't seem to want to speak to me. There was plenty of blindingly obvious language mistakes and miscommunications, but I learnt to never let it get to me, and to never let it stop me trying to communicate. (And to laugh at myself, frequently).

I feel mostly grateful for having had such an opportunity available to me. At the beginning I couldn't have felt more outside my comfort zone, and when I pushed the gate to the school open to leave this afternoon, I could remember all too well my hammering heart when I opened it on my very first day. It's been (at the risk of sounding clichéd) one hell of a rollercoaster, but 'sans doute' from the good days to the bad days, this has been an experience I will never forget.