Getting to experience a life abroad has been nothing short of incredible. Building lasting friendships with my study abroad cohort, trying a variety of new foods, and creating new routines have all been engraved in my mind and will last forever in my memory. My journey in Paris came to an end much quicker than I had ever imagined. However, that does not mean that I did not get to dive deeply into French culture. It was a mental mission of mine to go into this study abroad experience with a completely open mind. I longed to see the true differences between French and American culture and set aside any previous preconceptions about either side. Although the overall process of my day in France was similar to when I am back at home, the little differences really made an impact. Whether it was waking up and having a light breakfast, like a coffee and croissant, or squishing like sardines onto the metro during rush hour, I feel like I am living my life through a pair of fresh eyes.
One specific part about the culture in Paris that I most identify with would be the importance of taking your time to enjoy your day. As most of us know, Americans are known for their hustle and grind in their everyday lives. There is rarely time to sit back, relax, and take in the scenery and people around you. In Paris, it was refreshing to see that most people were walking at a leisurely pace or sitting down for coffee with a friend at all hours of the day. It did not matter when or where I was in the city. The cafes would always be filled with the sound of laughter and French conversations. To me, it became apparent that time with friends is meant to be intentional, not rushed.
As for each unique country on the planet, the people come with different mannerisms in the way that they communicate with other people. One part of France’s “deep culture” that I found especially interesting was that French people are much more direct when it comes to emotions. To give a brief example, I was ordering food at a café after class with a few of my friends, and the waiter came up to us after a few moments. Usually, when you are being waited on in a restaurant, the waiter or waitress tries hard to make a good impression on the customers. A happy smile, a few jokes, and some recommendations are considered the norm in the United States. However, our waiter was exactly to the point. He took our order and let us be until he was bringing over our dishes, or we flagged him over for the bill. It was clear that he was not there to make friends, but rather to do his job accurately and efficiently while also being sure not to waste our time. To the French, time is of the essence, so being direct is the best way to go about it. I found it a bit odd at first, but the more that I became used to it, I appreciated how highly they respect other people’s schedules.
The most challenging part of navigating cross-cultural situations was definitely adjusting to the language barrier, differences in communication, and social expectations. Interacting with new people in general can be very intimidating, but when it is mixed with a language I don’t fully understand and different social rules that I am unfamiliar with, the intimidation level was in a whole new ballpark. However, I made sure not to let that stop me from fully engulfing myself in my abroad experience. I paid close attention to how locals interacted with each other and made sure to do some quick reading on social cues and rules in France. I strived to stay open-minded and considered even the smallest details of my interactions with local Parisians and even the other students I was with. Spending time in Paris has made it clear that the environment we grow up in impacts a lot about who we become as people. What we consider to be ‘normal’ is only normal for a small group of people. My time abroad has helped me to expand my adaptability, and I will be forever grateful for that.
