Teen Times:Life continues in France, the news comes on every day with me glued to the screen, looking for any piece of information about Ireland. I now know the leader of the Tour de France but Padraig Harrington winning the British Open only reached me from an exclusive text message.

The life of a poor student is rarely dull, and my time spent studying the language in France, as previously written about here, has been filled with interesting experiences and plenty of free conversation with other students about the safe topics, such as sex, drugs and rock'n'roll.

I must admit that even in a couple of boring quiet moments I opened the French grammar book without tears and tried to learn the difference between the use of emporter and emmener.

The shock of getting homework by the French teacher nearly made me check my heartbeat. I explained it to the 17-year-old in my house and he practically wrote it all. I learned, of course, all the handy phrases and how the real French go about these things. In return, he got a couple of English sayings that could get him out of a tough situation: "Now that would be an ecumenical matter."

I handed my homework up with a smile; the teacher was astounded at my sudden progression from day-dreaming Irish student to full-blown Francophile. Of course she questioned me, but I put it all down to her wonderful teaching. This sounds good in English and in French it was even better. She moved on to the next person who got mercilessly executed because it really was a step down; Irish French never compares with the French of the French. Win with hard work and you get sweat, win with wit and you get a smile.

One of the questions I had before I came to France is what do they call French fries; apparently it's just regular frites. I had a lot of questions that really did get answered: they do have berets but just never wear them; the stripy tops are reserved for special days or when there could be a bit of dosh made from the tourists; and, more importantly, I found out what they thought of the Irish. I visited the Irish pub and gave a whoop-ah of delight when I saw Tayto crisps and Hunky Dory's for sale. I bought about 10 packs and holed up in my room for a uniquely Irish night. If only I had Lyons or Barry's tea, then it really would have been complete. I offered the 17-year-old some and he replied with a sarcastic smile that "it would be an ecumenical matter"; some of them really are just too sharp.

I'm heading home in a couple of days and have had time to reflect on my special time in France. J'ai apprends beaucoup la français et I hope to continue my contact with the family that took me in. If they're still smiling at the end of it, then it really is mission accomplished.

Conor Mulloy (16) is a student at St Joseph's College, Galway

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