I will be in france for two months on study abroad. I am doing the language program after one year of college french.I will have six weeks in southern France and two weeks in Paris. Anyone who has gone on study abroad have any recommendations or good advice?
Posted by
Seattle
223 posts
Ashley,
The advice I'm going to give has been refined by 20 years of not being able to go back until this summer. Wisdom of the ages, etc. lol
First, realize this is a great opportunity. Once you get out of college, get a mortgage, a job with 2 weeks vacation, have kids, etc., it'll sink in that the chance to spend 2 months anywhere as an American is rare. Less than 8% of us take our 2 week vacation at one time. Seize every moment. Get up early, go to bed late, take a picnic and nap in the park, but use every minute of every day. It'll go fast.
Secondly, don't compare the differences to America. i.e., when you go to a supermarket and it doesn't have a gozillion choices or it closes early, don't compare it in a negative way to our 24 hour service culture. The French have a different lifestyle. Learn what that is without it being a comparative study.
Finally, find a way to connect with a French family. Sunday dinners and family is what the real France is all about.
Posted by
Seattle
223 posts
OK, a couple of more things now that I'm thinking of it.
It'll be tempting to find others that speak English because you'll find that one year of college French is a little light (I only had two years of high school French when I went). Try to avoid this. Put yourself in situations where you must speak French. Ask your French friends to only speak French.
Watch people's lips when the speak - I don't know why, but this helps. I couldn't understand cartoons, but could watch movies.
Before you go (like now), start listening to French news Podcasts. This is because they speak very quickly when reading the news and it'll get your ear "trained" to hearing French spoken fast. I like Europe 1 - l'essentiel de l'info at
http://www.europe1.fr/podcast/essentiel_info_i.jsp (In iTunes, go to "Advanced", "Subscribe to Podcast" and then paste in the url).
Another non-news podcast I like is "One thing in a French Day." You can search for it in iTunes and subscribe.
Have fun!
Posted by
Nashville
5 posts
Ashley,
I studied abroad 2 years ago in west France. I took 2 years of French in highschool, and one year of French in college, and still wasn't fully prepared once I got there. However, after several months of living there, I was able to communicate with others quite well. My best advice is:
1) Don't speak English unless necessary. The French like it when you show your attempt to their language. They won't laugh. They are helpful. Imagine someone from china talking to us in their language. It kind of makes you feel as if they think their language is more superior.
2) Wake up earlier to get more experience on your 2 months abroad. Most of my roomies slept until 1 pm [!] Plus, their pastries and croissants are to die for.
3) Take solo journeys, even if it's just outside your quarters. One shows their true characters whenever alone.
4) Meet people. It not only practices your social skills, but your language skills, and you meet people.
bonne chance!