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French family calls Canfield home
Photo
Neighbors | Abby Slanker.Delphine (left), Sophie, Louis and Thomas Brunet (right), along with their dog, Simba, are participating in a program that gives them an opportunity to experience life in America. The family is from a small village one hour south of Paris, France. Not pictured is Marc Brunet, whose employer created the opportunity to come to America.
By ABBY SLANKER
Delphine and Marc Brunet and their children, Sophie, Louis and Thomas, wanted to experience life in the United States. Thanks to Marc’s employer, their dream is coming true.
Marc is vice president of sales for CMI EFCO, Inc., which is headquartered in Belgium, but also has an office in Salem, Ohio. The company offers a program that gives the employees and their families the opportunity to live and work in a foreign country.
The Brunets are from a small village one hour south of Paris, France, but for the next two to three years, they are residents of Canfield. They moved to Canfield less than a year ago.
Sophie is in eighth grade at Canfield Village Middle School and is a member of the choir, the drama club and enjoys hip hop dancing. Louis is in sixth grade at Canfield Village Middle School and is a member of the band, the chess club and played basketball at the YMCA. Thomas is in third grade at CH Campbell and also played basketball at the YMCA.
According to Delphine, the family has integrated quickly.
“Everyone has been very welcoming and it has been easy for us to adapt. Americans are polite and friendly,” Delphine said.
“But the one thing that I miss about France is the coffee. I have not been able to find a suitable coffee in America!” she said.
Delphine was a teacher in France and is now teaching French to adults out of their Canfield home. Most of her students contact her after hearing about her teachings by word of mouth, but the Canfield Board of Education has also authorized her to advertise through the schools.
Delphine also attends the English Center in Youngstown to work on her English skills. She is now even a published English language author. Her paper, “France,” was published in Beginnings XIII, a publication of the Ohio Literacy Resource Center of Kent, Ohio, which features adult and student writers.
The Brunets traveled to the Ohio Writer’s Conference in Columbus, which was sponsored by the Ohio Literacy Resource Center of Kent, to receive her recognition.
And in case the Brunets feel homesick for France, there is a family nearby in Canfield they can turn to. Valerie and Stephane Langevin and their two children, are also participating in the program. Valerie attends the English Center with Delphine.
The Brunets also brought another member of their family to Canfield. Their Belgian Golden Retriever, Simba, also made the trip from France. While the Brunets are having no problems with the language barrier, Simba is — the dog only understands French.
So, while the family is busy learning and using English, if they want Simba to obey their commands, they must revert to their native language.