Featured Story
The Beauty of Learning in Rennes, France
by French Teacher Susan Sarrazin
This summer I had the amazing opportunity to go to Rennes, France through St. Luke’s professional development program. I attended a 10-day intensive workshop focusing on French historical and contemporary Breton culture.
Going to the workshop I did not know what to expect, but I was excited to travel to France and to be among other passionate teachers. As I began my long journey, I ran into a St. Luke’s student who was also going to France to spend a few weeks on his own. We were on the same flight and waited for the train in Paris together. We were both nervous and excited to be starting a new adventure.
Upon my arrival in Rennes, we immediately started the week with a meet and greet event at the American School. I was joined by five other French teachers from California, Texas, New York and Illinois. We started our days in the classroom with different teachers leading discussions on technology, architecture, cuisine, the arts, the French educational system and local history. Then, in the afternoons, we visited different areas of the city with our teacher as a guide.
Many special moments come to mind when I think back on my trip. The first being our discussions with history teacher and architecture buff Benjamin Sabatier on the meaning of the word “Patrimoine” (Heritage), how it has changed over the years, and what it represents. We visited Old Rennes with its timber-framed houses and cobblestone streets followed by a walk and discovery of La Courrouze (a sustainable neighborhood south of Rennes). During our visit in Old Rennes, we went through the original city doors (Porte Mordelaise) leading to the Cathedral of Rennes. This was the main entrance used by the Dukes and Bishops of Rennes. Once in the Cathedral, we had a private tour where we were given the exclusive opportunity to visit the Sacristy and climb to the top of one of the towers and stand on the rooftop of the Cathedral.
Another unforgettable experience was the visit to Mont-St. Michel. We started the day with a self-guided tour of the Abbey. We had a picnic in the gardens and agreed to meet at 1pm for a walking excursion. We didn’t know what to expect, but once there we were told to “lose the shoes” and join in a 6-mile walk across the bay during low tide. It was a mixture of silt and sand. Some areas were firm with rippled sand and others with quicksand. We got to experience sinking in quicksand up to our knees. Unbelievable! And the views from the bay side showed a more natural façade with a rocky base covered with trees, much as it would have been 800 years ago.
One last visit I would like to share was our day at a local retirement home. I must admit that starting the day I was not excited about this part of the trip because I wanted to spend my time visiting other known places in Brittany. But, much to my surprise, it turned out to be a jewel of a day. The staff shared with us how the retirement homes in France are run: both private and government run facilities. During our discussions, several of the residents joined us impromptu. Plans were changed and before we knew it, the residents invited us for a tour of their home. We visited their private rooms, the common rooms, the hairdressers, and so forth. We eventually all met up at the party room that was decorated with artwork done by the residents and staff. We were greeted with champagne and dessert. During my visit I met a couple that had met at the retirement home, Jeanne and Arnaud. They were full of life. I asked Jeanne if she liked living there and she responded, “I have never been happier.” She held Arnaud’s hand and he smiled like a schoolboy out on a first date. Arnaud was the oldest resident at the time of our visit. He is 103 years old (but looked as if he was in his eighties). I asked him if he had a secret for life and he said,“ take each day at a time, don’t sweat the small stuff, and remember to laugh every day.” They recalled the day they had met at the home and both Jeanne and myself shed some tears of happiness. It was a beautiful story of living life to the fullest and enjoying every moment.
I am very grateful to have had the opportunity to go to France this summer. I met some amazing people and had many unforgettable moments during my stay. It was a great opportunity for me to reconnect and remind myself of the beauty of learning about other cultures and peoples.
St. Luke’s School is a secular (non-religious), private school in New Canaan, CT for grades 5 through 12 serving over 40 towns in Connecticut and New York. Our exceptional academics and diverse co-educational community foster students’ intellectual and ethical development and prepare them for top colleges. St. Luke’s Leading with Humanity curriculum builds the commitment to serve and the confidence to lead.
