Anyone in Brittany?

[atswimtwolengths]

Just posting this on the off-chance...

My daughter's a second year student at a good university, studying French.

She's spending the summer in France - she has to do this to move on to the third year. She's working for EuroCamp in Brittany but of course everyone there is English. The whole point of her being in France is to speak French.

She has an A in A Level French and two years of studying it at university.

Her tutor has told her to leave her job as it's vital she has some experience in speaking French. He's told her the university will part-fund her if she works on her dissertation. However that money will in all likelihood not be enough to live on.

She's now looking urgently for a job and/or somewhere to live - seems she'll be able to afford either somewhere to live or to eat!

If you live in this area (she's currently near St Malo) do you know of anywhere suitable that she could rent/work? She needs something until mid-September. We were thinking of student accommodation, nannying, hotel work - anything really!

She's very articulate, hardworking, well-mannered and presentable. OK she's my daughter, but she is!

I'd be very grateful for any help.

Thanks.

[saintlydamemrsturnip]

I might have some Finistere suggestions, but that's probably not that helpful for her.

[atswimtwolengths]

Oh thanks so much for replying.

She's not limited to St Malo; once she leaves the campsite it doesn't really matter where she goes to as long as it's reachable via public transport.

What sort of thing were you thinking of?

[saintlydamemrsturnip]

Well i have french friends there that I could ask - that's a very long shot but I could try. They have family spread out throughout France, so if she could travel there might be more chance of finding something. It's far north east France though- near Roscoff. Alternatively I have English friends who have a cottage that needs a lot of work doing to it. I don't know what stage it's at in its renovations but I could ask them whether they would be willing to rent it out cheaply. They might say no, and I have a feeling there's no proper kitchen yet s just a microwave and BBQ so your dd might not want it anyway (although they stay there so it can't be that bad- for summer at least). That's near Roscoff too.

[atswimtwolengths]

Thanks for your reply.

I think at the moment she's prepared to do anything just to get the opportunity to speak the language. She's been very disappointed at the lack of French speakers where she is.

Thanks again about your friends' house but I think she'd be better living with French speakers if possible. Lucky people having somewhere over there, though!

Would it be possible for you to email your French friends and just ask whether they know if anyone needs someone to work for them for the summer? If she's just going to rent then she's probably better staying in St Malo as it's nearer. Obviously if there's work, she can travel.

Thanks.

[saintlydamemrsturnip]

Yes of course I will. I'll copy your message & add my own. Does she have any qualifications/experience with children? Would she be willing for example to work for board/lodging in return for some childcare (actually that's a thought has she tried au pairing for the summer? I know it's not ideal but might work if the uni are paying her something as well maybe?

[atswimtwolengths]

She doesn't have employment experience with children, but we are a huge extended family so she is used to being with them.

She would definitely do childcare for board/lodging! That would be fantastic for her. I could get excellent references for her as far as trustworthiness is concerned.

I don't know where to look as far as au pairing is concerned. The problem is that she doesn't have internet access at the campsite, hence me doing this!

She had a gap year in Canada and turned her hand to a wide variety of jobs so I know she can turn her hand to most things.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

[saintlydamemrsturnip]

pair world au pair world

I'll email my friend....

[saintlydamemrsturnip]

whoops that went wrong, au pair world I mean

[atswimtwolengths]

I've just signed her up for an au pair agency - just phoned her and she's with her friends having a glass of wine and playing Human Cluedo, and I'm emailing everywhere and filling in forms online etc!!

Thanks for emailing your friend - it's so kind of you.

[saintlydamemrsturnip]

this?

[saintlydamemrsturnip]

oh actually that last one's rubbish as it;s an english family- whoops!

[saintlydamemrsturnip]

looks useful website

[saintlydamemrsturnip]

Have emailed friend.....

[atswimtwolengths]

Thanks saintly - I'll check that website now.

[teafortwo]

I have French friends and family in Brittany not too far from where your dd is based. If I hear of anything when I am there this summer I will get back to you.

[atswimtwolengths]

Thanks very much, teafortwo. She's looking for work from now until mid September.