Bloomington High School South, The Gothic, 2009, Page 12

Description:	forein Bloomington South students journey toforeign lands in search of new experiences.changeopJLSophomore Jaime hlists the top 10 platesshe would like to visit.1. France2. England3. Italy4. Germany5. Spain6. Australia7. Austria8. Ireland9. Japan10. AfricaSenior DanaTalant. PHOTOILLUSTRATIONSBY MEGANMCDEVITTBloomington SouthAt the end of the first trimester in 2008,senior Dana Talant was busy taking a make-up test during Student Resource Time. It might have been thelast SRT of her high school career atBloomington South, but it was the firststep of the rest of her life. She spenther last days in America studyingextensively for her French final, butmore importandy, preparing for the sixmonths she would spend gaining newfriends and experiences in France.Talant planned to leave on November 29, however, after discovering aflight to France on December 3, 2009for 200 dollars less than her originalflight, she decided to switch her dayof departure. Talant funded and organized almost her entire trip, with a12 \| ACADEMICS \| foreign exchangeFly me to Francesenior Dana Talant explains how she prepared for an exchange program in France.little bit of financial assistance from heraunt. To do this, Talant balanced twojobs over the summer, Chick-fil-A andJourneys Kidz, working 48 to 60 hoursa week. She also acquired her visa inorder to stay overseas with little helpfrom her parents and teachers.Between work and graduating two trimesters early, it was a miracle she hadany time to plan what she was goingto do in France. However, Talant didmanage to come up with a few thingsto do in Le Mans, the French town shelived in. Talant decided to attend classes at the high school in the area, LyceeNotre Dame. She expressed interest instudying math and French history during her stay. Talant also wanted to takea few Tectonique dance lessons duringher stay. Tectonique is a type of dancewhich has become popular in Europe.This fast and complex dance is usuallydone to techno or electro music. Talant first witnessed this dance on theFrench exchange during her junioryear and has been fascinated by it eversince. Im such a dork, she said, Imalways YouTubing it.Although there are so many excitingthings to do and see in France, Talantstated, the main reason Im going isto improve my French. She hoped tobe completely fluent upon her returnto America.Talant was very excited to return toFrance after her previous visit duringSouths French exchange programduring her junior year. The exchangewas the beginning of a big change inTalants life. When I came back [toAmerica], everything was different forme, she said, I had a hard time goingback to my normal life.Adjusting to a new language andculture would be difficult, but Talantwas up for the challenge. Ever sinceI was little, Ive always had an infatuation with France. This trip was trulyTalants dream come true. Cest la viede Dana, -or in English, Its Danaslife which shes planned to coexistwith her dreams of chatting with herFrench friends over coffee and baguettes. -RACHEL JOSEPH
Source:	http://cdm17129.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/hs-bloomsouth/id/8034
Collection:	Bloomington High School South

Further information on this record can be found at its source.