Fulbright Orientation-Paris

I took the TVG to Paris Wednesday morning to join the Fulbright Orientation.  I met with the 4 other American Fulbright Exchange teachers at the hotel, we had a quick lunch and then on to OFII (Office français de l'immigration et de l'intégration) for our medical exams to finish up the administrative work for our visas.  That evening we enjoyed an elegant evening at a welcome reception at the Sénat, Palais du Luxembourg.  M. Jean-Pierre Raffarin, Former Prime Minister, Senator and H.E. Mr. Charles H. Rivkin, Ambassador of the United States to France spoke before the 200 American Fulbright Research Scholars,  Exchange Teachers and Teaching Assistants.

The following 2 days we five Exchange teachers attended informational meetings, workshops, and classroom observations concerning the educational system in France.  It was a tremendously interesting and instructive conference.  We stayed through the week-end to enjoy the city.  I went to the Grand Palais to see an excellent exhibit - France 1500 Entre Moyen Age et Renaissance, an exhibit at the Louvre of Antoine Watteau and the Musée Cernuschi, Musée des Arts de l'Asie in the Monceau Quarter.  Of course, walking in Paris is always great and dinners with my Fulbright friends on Friday and Saturday were wonderful!