When I left to go to France for a semester, I had little idea of what to expect. So, here are the five things I wish I knew about studying in France that maybe can help you too:
- pack the clothes you like to wear
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When I first started packing for my semester in France, I looked up any information I could find about how the French dress, so that I wouldn’t immediately stick out as American. Plenty of websites and blogs will tell you that the French dress more professionally and that their wardrobes consist of neutral colors. While that’s true for some people, that’s not the case for everyone. Since arriving, I’ve seen people of all ages expressing themselves through their clothing. Plenty of people wear color and bold make-up and have a style unique to themselves. It is true that they don’t wear pajamas to class or sweatpants to go grocery shopping, but I wish I knew that my own style of clothing was acceptable before packing only outfits that make me look like I’m going to a business meeting every day.
- french cuisine is… interesting
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When many people think of French cuisine, they probably think of crĂŞpes and croissants, bread and cheese, coffee and wine…and honestly, it’s true. Patisseries and boulangeries can be found on every corner, offering the most delicious pastries and fresh-baked baguettes. CafĂ©s line every street, while cheese and bread are a staple in every meal. Escargot (cooked snails) is a traditional dish that you can find in almost every brasserie, but I was more surprised to find that fish pies are also a popular dish. They can be made fresh, but they’re often found in the frozen food section, perfect for nights when cooking a full dinner is a little too much work. I also did not anticipate the love that France has for Nutella. It’s offered in crĂŞpes, cookies, gelato, croissants, and coffee flavors. Even muffins have a glob of Nutella right in the middle. So, if you’re looking for a balanced diet from French cuisine, you might have to have to search elsewhere, because it’s a lot of sugar and butter. But don’t worry, there are plenty of other cuisines offered in every town; you just need to look for them!
Shun Matsuhashi / Spoon - outdoor seating during every season
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I think this one speaks for itself. During the pandemic, many restaurants chose to offer outdoor seating to limit the spread of COVID, but France has been doing that for a long time. When I first arrived in January, I was surprised to realize that people will sit outside at a restaurant, café, or bar, in the freezing cold weather; it’s just how it is. And they will sit for a long while, so bundle up!
- whatever money you think you need to save, save more
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It’s no secret that studying abroad is expensive, so before I left home, I made sure to work and save, save, save. Traveling while you’re abroad is practically a given, and travel expenses add up quickly, even if you try to keep it cheap. Staying in hostels are the best way to do this, but splitting an Airbnb with a large group of people can also end up being less expensive than you think. Cheap flights and trains are out there as well, so you just need to do a little bit of research. You’re not going to want to limit yourself while you’re away, so make sure to save up, so that you can go out on the weekends and buy all the chocolate croissants your heart could possibly desire.
- It’s bittersweet but mostly sweet
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Studying abroad forces you out of your comfort zone, but like anything else, you have the power to make the experience good for yourself. Moving to a new country and learning the culture is difficult; performing everyday tasks like grocery shopping becomes a whole new obstacle. But when you can overcome those challenges and adjust, being abroad can be the most amazing experience of your life.
If you put yourself out there, you’ll meet people from all over the world, make life-long friends, and see amazing places. So many doors of opportunity will open for you, and you’ll learn a lot about yourself. It’s bitter because you know it has to end sometime, and the months speed by, but what you’re left with is a really sweet aftertaste.
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