Evan Vance

 

During my semester in Montpellier, I spent my internship hours at Quartier Généreux, a coffee shop and bar in near the center of town. My schedule was flexible and organized by my own availability; I often worked Wednesday and Thursday evenings, and occasionally a morning when possible. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At QG, every employee was a volunteer, including myself, working together to ensure proper cafe operations. My job was a combination of bartender, barista, and restaurant maintenance. I served drinks, explained our membership system, and refilled/cleaned different machines when necessary. Because Quartier Généreux is a non-profit volunteer organization, membership cards were necessary in order to comply with French law. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oftentimes during my shifts, events such as music performances by local artists or meetings between progressive groups took place. The cafe was not only a place to get a drink, but also served as a place for groups to meet and share ideas. 

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Overall, my experience at Quartier Généreux was an excellent opportunity to not only gain further experience with customer service, but it allowed me to practice my French language speaking and comprehension abilities. My time at QG allowed me to function as a member of the French youth and assimilate into a local volunteer group.