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A German national's experience living in France

11/25/2012

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An interesting perspective from one of my top notch students in France!

Enjoy, Greg


6 months in France- Experiences of an ERASMUS – Semester

What had I expected?

Let’s think: being able to articulate myself after staying here, having adapted to a French life style, getting to know tons of people, preferably French.

The reality!

I have to admit, my French was basic in the beginning of my stay. I was able to survive! But my goal was to enhance that level at least to have a normal conversation. Of course, what helps most is to speak to natives.

The French culture is a friendly one; however people seem quite distant and prefer to stick to their own cosy group. That’s an obstacle! While chatting in a bar for 10 minutes is not too hard, having a close relationship to a Frenchman/woman is, frankly, much trickier.

But seriously, what did I expect? 6 months is not a life time. I will be back. A bientôt!

One really cool initiative I quickly wanted to introduce is a programme called AFIA. I was lucky to participate and I send a big THANKS to the initiators. It introduces students to families who are interested to share their culture and learn from other cultures. Families meet students and invite them once a month to their house, or make a trip somewhere. Through that programme I was able to meet a very kind family who is able to make delicious food, share their knowledge and their beautiful language with us.

All in all I am happy to be here in France; otherwise (also) I would not have had the chance to join a Cross Cultural Business course which was fantastic. Thanks Greg.


Was ich mir vorgestellt habe?

Lass mich nachdenken: in der Lage sein mich selbst gut in französisch auszudrücken, nachdem ich hier war; den französischen Life style zum Teil übernommen zu haben und außerdem zigtausende Menschen kennenzulernen- am besten Franzosen!

Die Realität!

Ich muss leider zugeben, mein französisch war eher schlecht am Anfang meines Aufenthalts. Ich konnte grad so überleben! Aber mein Ziel, dieses Level zumindest auf ein Level einer normalen Konversation zu bringen, blieb bestehen. Natürlich wisst ihr es selbst, am besten sind die Unterhaltungen mit Muttersprachlern.

Sehr freundlich, die französische Kultur. Jedoch äußerst distanziert sind die Menschen, denn sie bleiben eher in ihrer sehr komfortablen Gruppe. Das ist durchaus ein Hindernis. Während eine 10-minütiges Quatschen in einer Bar kein Problem ist, gestaltet sich eine engere Beziehung zu den Franzosen wesentlich schlechter.

Aber mal ehrlich, was hatte ich mir vorgestellt? 6 Monate sind wirklich keine Ewigkeit. Ich wird’ wiederkommen. Bis bald!

Von einer coolen Initiative will ich noch erzählen: AFIA! Ich hatte echt glück dass ich an dieser Teilnehmen durfte. Das tolle ist, dass interessierte Familien wissensdurstigen Studenten vorgestellt werden, sie sich dann 1 Mal im Monat zu treffen um französische Kultur zu feiern. Sie essen, gehen ins Museum, machen all die Sachen die Franzosen nun mal so tun and dazu gehört natürlich ebenso sehr das Sprechen!

Allem in Allem war ich glücklich in Frankreich. Außerdem hätte ich auch nicht am Cross Cultural Business Seminar teilnehmen können, der nebenbei sehr gut war. Danke Greg!


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