Dear Lindsay,
Thanks for your message.Yes,I'm having a great time on my exchange program in France.It's even better than I thought it would be.I was a bit nervous before I arrived here,but there was no reason to be.My host family is really nice.They go out of their way to make me feel at home.And you would't believe how quickly my French has improved!I'm very comfortable speaking French now.Although I still make lots of mistakes.It doesn't bother me like it used to.My biggest challenge is learning how to behave at the dinner table.As you can imagine,things are really different from the way they are at home.For example,you're not supposed to put your bread on your plate.You're supposed to put it on the table!I thought that was pretty strange at first,but now I'm used to it.You're not supposed to eat anything with your hands except bread,not even fruit!(You had to cut it up and eat it with a fork.) Another thing is that it is very rude to say you're full.If you don't want any more food,you should just say,"It was delicious." Also,it's rude to put you hands in your lap.You should always keep your hands,but not your elbows,on the table.I have to say,I find it difficult to remember everything,but I'm gradually getting used to things,and don't find them so strange anymore.I'll write soon and tell you more about fire in France.Hope you're having a good school year.
Wang Kun