Exchange Diary (CityU Students)

Monday – Date: 14/12/2009
It comes to the end of the semester. Time is passing without a sign. Exams and reports were finally finished. There was a Cocktail Farewell Party at school. We all gathered, we danced, we sang and we hugged. We have sadness and happiness at the same time as we miss our home countries and Lille. But we enjoyed every moment in the previous three months together. After that, we went to a Chinese restaurant. We sat in a round table and I taught them the skills to use chopstick. We started to create an Erasmus story. (Erasmus means international students in France.) We made a lot of fun. Then, we went to Palace café to play snooker which was my first time. We didn’t care about who was the winner. Although time is flying and life is busy, we will store those happy memories in our heart. It is unforgettable.

Tuesday – Date: 15/12/2009
I need a rest after exams and reports. Therefore, I was at home today. I woke up late and had a coffee with some biscuits. I used 30 minutes to enjoy my brunch and read a meaningful book called "sixty", what’s a relaxing moment. C’est parfait! (It’s perfect!) The book is saying that French people “smoke more cigarettes, drink more alcohol and eat more fat than anyone in the world, but have the longest life expectancy.” And that is totally what I observed and experienced in France. Compare to other Europeans, they are slim and look healthier. They love drinking and smoking especially when they were young. But why? I am still discovering the “secret” reasons behind by going through the book.

Wednesday – Date: 16/12/2009
How’s the Christmas in Lille in France? Let’s go and feel it!
Today, I went to the city centre, La Grand Place, with Finnish and Dutch girls to have a look of Christmas market (Marche de Noel) and buy some Christmas gifts for my family. All shops are decorated with colourful lights. We tried Vin Chaud (hot wine), a traditional drink for Christmas in Europe, which can keep you warm in winter. It contains less alcohol than normal one and it helped keep my body warm.

Turning round and round, the big wheel in centre is going round. We took a ride on it. The night view of Lille is amazing since there are full of Christmas lights cover the whole street just likes another piece of little sky.

Thursday – Date: 17/12/2009
Today is 17 December 2009. The first snow I saw in my life. When I woke up at around 10, the snow was falling softly. The snow also came to the balcony of my house because of the wind. All the grounds, trees and streets are white. I could not believe the scene which was exactly what I saw only in movies or pictures, but now, it was real and amazing. I could not wait to touch them and to make many snow balls. There were a couple and a family with son and dog going to the garden to make their own snowmen. The scene was so warm and that reminds me my family. Although there was beautiful snowy scene, I would like to share with my dearest family. Since it seems that I, a girl from Hong Kong, am the only one who have never seen snow before. I went out to the nearest park alone and played on the snowy ground. I know I looked so childish, but forgive me please, it was my first time.

Friday – Date: 18/12/2009
Many of exchange students including my roommate have already come back to their countries because of Christmas. Another student from Hong Kong and me are waiting and expecting to have a White Christmas in Finland. What else could be better than spending Christmas time in Finland or Village of Santa-Claus exactly? We are planning to enjoy our time in Finland for the Christmas. And we decided to stay in the house of a Finnish exchange student. It is so great because on one hand, we can save money for our trip, on the other hand, we can know the real life of Finnish people. But now we found out that snow is angel and devil at the same time. Some of the flights and trains were cancelled or delayed due to bad weather conditions. We hope we are lucky for the whole journey. God bless us! It’s time to go. Bonne chance! (Good Luck)

Labels: 2009/2010 Semester A