1. OUR DIARY By Charlotte, Marie, Merve

2. The 31st day of November I went to Turkey. Just before the departure, I didn't want to go there anymore because I was scared to be hosted by a family whom I didn't know, didn't ever meet, and I was scared to be alone more than all. The third day, I was terrorised about the idea to have someone with whom I could exchange in my family. But I was really welcomed so this terror went far away. Marie

3. I had come back to Turkey from France on 30 th of November and on the 31 st a student whose name was Marie, was coming. When I was in France I had stayed in a host family so I knew that it’s hard to live with foreign people. It’s hard because you can’t communicate because of speaking different languages and it’s completely different culture so foods are different, people are different. If you live with people that you don’t know, after a while you start to get bored. That’s why I would try to make Marie have fun. Finally I arrived to airport to meet with French students. We were waiting for them but they weren’t around. We didn’t know how to find them. I didn’t know which girl was Marie. Merve

4. I was embarrassed by the behaviour of Merve’s mother. Her mother was very motherly toward me, I got used to it after. I really liked visiting Istanbul by night with Merve and her mother. When I had done with the visit, I got on well with Merve and her mother, I found their company very cool and exciting and I felt as if I was a member of the family. Marie

5. One week passed so quickly with Marie and I think she had a good time, even though I couldn’t be with her when they were on trips. As I said before I tried to make her have fun. We went to Ortaköy and Taksim. When we were in Taksim, we met Sezen and Marine. Actually our aim was to be all together. Another day she went to some places with her friends and their correspondents. I think I also bored her because I had to study for my exams. However when I was working, my mother took care of her. I hope she had fun and liked us because we liked her so much. She is a pretty good friend and person. Merve.

6. I spent a good time with Merve and her family. It was a good experience and I liked it so much but unhappily I couldn’t welcome her in my home in Grenoble, so my friend Charlotte did it. Now it’s Charlotte’s turn. Marie.

7. Hello my Diary Kitty!! Like Marie, I have been to Turkey, to Istanbul and I have been hosted by Dilara, another Turkish girl but she is not a friend of Merve that’s why I didn’t spend any time with her and Marie, it was SUCH A SHAME! When I was at Dilara’s home it was like a dream. Her family is very friendly and rich, her parents are architects so their home is very beautiful … When I came there for the first time, I was ashamed because where she lives is so different from mine. But Dilara and her family made me feel good, not stressed. And I got a small cake, a representation of welcoming for a foreigner. It touched me. Day after day, I felt better and better there, the family was so friendly and I went back to France with ideas and dreams in my head… What good holidays! Charlotte

8. Istanbul-Grenoble, Projet Comenius ‘Regards Croisés’ 2008-2009.