What My Teenage Daughter Will Learn from Her Trip to France
68When my teenage daughter asked if she could participate in her high school French department's trip to France, I didn't want to say "We can't afford it." I heard and believed those words so often growing up, and I am still struggling to overcome the negative impact on my life. But I didn't know how I could afford it.
I believed there was a better answer. I've read a lot of Law of Attraction literature in the last few years and have applied the principles with varying degrees of success to my life, but it was difficult to find the words to answer my daughter's request until her father called to discuss the trip with me. He said he couldn't afford it.
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"I believe Camille can earn this trip," I heard myself say. And I did believe it. I could even help with the $200 nonrefundable deposit that was due in a few days, but I did not want to start spending money I didn't really have to spare if she wasn't going to show some effort. "So far all she has done is badger me about it every day," I told her dad. He put Camille back on the phone, and I started explaining it to her and brainstorming ideas for her to earn the money. She has talked about finding a part-time job for months but really hasn't applied for many.
"I'm really motivated, now," she told me. Within an hour she had posted on her myspace her intent to raise the money and received several pledges of support from friends. The next day she collected three job applications, started a blog about her efforts, and scheduled a small painting job for a woman from her church. She also has a lead to speak with a local children's author about illustrating some of her books.
Camille is a very talented artist and part of her attraction to France is based on her interest in art. She can't wait to see the Mona Lisa in person. I'm thrilled that this trip will not only cultivate her interest in art, but in the process of fund raising, she will potentially gain some real life experience in the field.
At first I felt a little self-conscious encouraging her to "beg for money." But, she will earn it. Even the donations will be a direct result of her earnest efforts and positive expression of her abilities and dreams. The school encourages fundraising efforts, and she will have to do more than just "ask" for money.
I think the blogging experience will be beneficial in addition to the various work experience she will gain. Most importantly, I am happy to see her pursue her passion, to set goals and act on them, and to believe she will attract the resources needed to fulfill this dream.
More Information on Teen Travel Abroad
Camille Goes To France
- Painting my way to France.
We've come up with a plan. My mom and I. I've done a 8 1/2 x 11 watercolor. It's Leonardo da Vinci themed, featuring my own modern interpretation of the Mona Lisa, and some of his other works. Through Staples, we're going to make 100 print copies of my painting and sell them for a minimum of 25 dollars. Everyone who buys a print is entered into a raffle in which the winner may chose to trade his or her print for the origional painting. I'm still not very confident in myself that my work will be that much of a success, but my mom tells me she knows it will work. If she's right and it does work and I sell every print, my trip will be covered. This is an amazing oppurtunity for me to make something of my talent. Once the painting is scanned I'll post a little picture of it so you can all see. Besides all that, a lot has happened in the last week. I finished painting Deloris's bathroom, and Sydney and I will be cleaning her windows next week for more work. The group traveling had a meeting last week. 19 students are going, two parents and my teacher. 19 students is such a good sized group. We talked about going to art museums which got me very excited. We also looked at a map of the metro and learned the different routes. Everything going on has me very excited. Summer cannot come fast enough.
- Fundraiser Tomorrow.
Our group is doing a car wash tomorrow at the steak n shake next to Walmart in Wakeforest. Be there to help support us, we need all the help we can get. So this thursday my dad and I went to Deloris Prewit's house again. We finished the first coat of paint on the bathrooms. We need one more and then the painting is done. Next, Sydney, a friend of mine also going on the trip, and I are going to clean all the windows in her house. So as you can see, I will do pretty much any odd job for money to help me go on this trip. Deloris has been very nice, and she's determined to help me as much as she possibly can to send me to France. I need more people like Deloris helping, so please make donations or put me to work. Thank you -Camille
- The 200 dollar down payment...
is payed. Yay. I raised 80 dollars myself and my parents split the remainding 120 dollars. I am going to France. I still need all the help i can get. My mom says a friend of hers is interested in having me do a mural for her and I am still painting for Deloris. I now need 400 dollars by the end of October. I'm confident I can get atleast half by then. I hope i can. Please continue or start to make donations. Thank you very much. Camille
- My First Job
Today I did a painting job for a lady at church. Her name is Deloris Prewit and she's very excited for me to go to France and is helping me a lot. She's making me work for my money which my mom is happy about. It also gives me a chance to use my artistic abilities to make money. I went today I'm going back tomorrow and later this week. I also stayed after school today to design a bulletin board for the French club. It turned out really well and hopefully will draw in more members for the first meeting of the year this wednesday. Everything is going great. I'm nearly 100% sure I am going to France. Yay. Thankyou Deloris. Please continue to make donations. They're greatly appreciated.
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Comments
Thanks, Karla, and yes, actually Camille has worked on a mural for someone in her church. I'm sure she'd love some more of that kind of work!
Dineane,
I went to France in High School for the summer of my Junior Year. It was amazing and I fell in love with Europe, France and since then, Paris. It was an experience I will never forget.
I'm not sure if your daughter has gone yet, but she will find Parisians and Europeans to be very different from us; they focus on what is important and on living life in a full, very complete way. The arts are SO important, something that Americans always seem to put last on the list.
I try to spend a month in Paris every year because it is so amazing and so different from our own culture. Also, it reminds me of what is really important. I can't seem to get enough!
As an artist, your daughter will go crazy in Paris! The Louvre is fabulous, but so many other museums are enough to keep one busy and totally absorbed in art for weeks and weeks!
Bon Voyage!
Madison
Thanks for your comments, Madison - I'm very excited for my daughter, for the reasons you mention - the cultural differences she will experience, the exposure to the art she loves so much - and even the perspective that maybe she, too, CAN spend a month in Paris every year if she wants to. She hasn't gone yet - the trip is summer '09 - but she's earned more than half of the money and that lesson alone is so invaluable, especially in today's restrictive economy. I want her to know she can have her dreams, even if her mom still gets discouraged too often.
I think it's a great idea.
I went to Russia on a school exchange when I was 14, for a fortnight, and then had the Russian girl with whom I had stayed come for a fortnight to stay with us. (Teachers went too, not unsupervised). It sparked off an interest and love for Russian films, books and culture that took me back there and continues to this day.
I think it is very important that more American young people broaden their horizons by going abroad. Americans do tend to be far more insulated than most of the rest of the world!
I recently spent three months in the south west of France and it was a great experience. Maybe I started a bit late (I was 50 before I ever made it out of North America) but I am making up for lost time by living abroad for the last five years.
If your daughter wants to spend more time abroad, i suggest that she look into house sitting. Check out my hub page on House Sitting for more info.
Karla McD says:
14 months ago
Yes...Camille must see the Mona Lisa! Has she ever done any muralling? I think she earn a chunk from just one job.
Good luck to Camille!
K