As Americans, we often don’t realize how explicit and direct our communication style is until we step outside of the country. This distinct contrast has become very real to me in the last few months since coming to France, and it has been one of the most unexpected, yet formative experiences of my internship. I…
Tag: IIP Paris
Growing and Learning the French Way
Throughout my internship, I have become more detail-oriented and organized compared to what I was before. Before my internship, I have largely worked with code and software. However, my folders in my computer and notes were extremely disorganized. Being in a new environment with limited time and research to do on many unfamiliar biological and…
Made it through another one of Paris’ heatwaves!
We’re finally back to 25C (70-80F) weather today after a week of being in the 40Cs (100F+)! I’m not sure how far this news is being talked about outside of France, but it’s a major topic right now in the news as some cities outside of Paris have lost electricity and water for days and…
A Shift in Leadership Style
Before this internship, I would have described my leadership style as efficient and goal-oriented. I viewed leadership as setting clear expectations and being able to maintain a strong work ethic. Most importantly, I find that it is crucial to create an environment where people feel motivated in what they do and how they contribute. I…
“Bonjour, hi! Anglais, français? English, french?”
Working at my museum has made me feel somewhat like a Canadian, as establishments in the French Canadian region always greet visitors with “bonjour, hi!” in order to cater to both French and English speakers. As our museum tends to have more English-speaker tourists as visitors (excluding school field trips), I too have learned to…
Developing Intercultural Skills Through Non-Profit Work
Throughout my time at Fondation Scelles, I have been working with the sensitive issues of prostitution and sex buying, which often involve various forms of exploitation and violations of human rights. Given this topic of research and my role in the organization, it is important to have a sense of empathy and attentiveness, especially when…
Communication and Meaning in France
One aspect of French lifestyle I adore is the long lunch breaks. Not only does it help to eat slowly and enjoy food, helping digestion, it’s a great opportunity to socialize with colleagues and build new connections. One afternoon, I was contemplating what to get for lunch when my maître-de-stage or supervisor showed me a…
Asking bold questions while hoping that I have properly understood how to show respect through linguistic structure and language choice
Apologies for the long title. One of the things I am still trying to grasp about French culture 4 weeks is how to know if I should use the formal vs. informal ‘you’ to address a stranger and how I should phrase questions and requests to people I do not know. My struggle to read…
Adapting to French Customs
Before traveling abroad, I went to numerous orientations for this International Internship Program that prepared me for the different customs I would encounter during my time in France. During these sessions, we discussed the work-life boundaries that would be expected in the workplace, as well as the formal administrative differences compared to my experiences in…
You must be logged in to post a comment.