Traveler's Tips - Stay Smart in France
[Home]
By participating in the FAU Southern France Study Abroad Program you are becoming part of a well-established tradition in international education. France has long been a top study abroad destination for students from around the world. Study abroad is a special form of travel, for it affords the student an international experience that is richer and far more profound than that of most tourists who have seen or will see France. In choosing to participate in this study abroad program in France, you will actively study French culture through its language, literature and art; at the same time you will become part of the scene in your own way. Here are a few tips to help you adjust to the adventure that awaits. By keeping them in mind and thinking about them as you undertake your explorations you may gain a greater appreciation of the land in which you are living and the people that you meet, as well as avoid some potentially unpleasant experiences.
Expect the Unexpected
Studying abroad is a wonderful and life-changing experience, which will allow you to examine your own assumptions about your own culture as you adapt to fit a different one. This process of adjustment and growth is commonly called 'culture shock.' It is normal, and indeed, inevitable, to feel culture shock when studying abroad. Think about it: you will be living and studying, apart from friends and family, in a totally new environment where many of your assumptions about life will be challenged and where you may not always be able to predict how people will react to you in social situations (since social cues differ radically from culture to culture, even in Western Europe). On top of this, you will also have the unique (and exciting!) challenge of speaking a language other than your native one. But before you panic, keep in mind that culture shock is a natural (and inevitable) part of any study abroad experience. It is proof positive that you are growing and changing, achieving new things, and adapting to fit your new environment. Your program coordinators are there to help you adjust, and remember: an open mind, a sense of adventure, and a sense of humor will be your best tools for adapting to this new environment!
Prepare Before You Go
The best way to prepare yourself for study abroad is to learn about France and its culture before you leave the United States. Although some basic information will be handed out at our regular orientation sessions in the months before our trip; you are nevertheless strongly encouraged to find out as much about France as you can (basic geography, social customs, political structure, etc.) before arriving in Alès. France is a major industrial nation, a major world power, and a founding member of the European Union. It is also the number one tourist location for Americans, and hundreds of its cultural sites are vital landmarks of Western culture. Nevertheless, it is also a foreign country with its own unique history, language, politics, and culture. France is not the United States, no matter how familiar certain cultural images may seem!
Americans in the World
Since you will be representing an American university while abroad, it is particularly important that you have a sense of recent historical and political developments in France, and understand how people in France tend to view Americans, and why. The primary conception of Americans as the 'heroes' [of World War II] and liberators of France has faded with time, especially because American foreign policy since 1945 has not always been warmly received in France. Be sensitive in how you present yourself to others, and remember that you are a cultural ambassador. Nevertheless, discussing politics in an intelligent and reasoned way is not considered a social taboo in France, as it sometimes is in the United States. Rather, politics is an open topic of conversation as long as the discussion is focused around rigorous logical debate. (Such debate is foundational to the French intellectual tradition!)
Bottom line: Be sensitive to others, and be mindful of how you phrase things and present yourself. Don't be afraid to share your thoughts and beliefs with others, but don't expect a French person to automatically share your particular view of American culture, politics, or society, either! And remember: cultural exchange is one of the primary reasons for doing a study abroad program! You are going to France to have an authentic experience of a different culture.
Perceptions
The French generally perceive themselves as logically rigorous thinkers, and pride themselves on their long philosophical tradition. (Think of Montaigne, Pascal, Descartes, Voltaire, Diderot, Rousseau, and Sartre, to name just a few!) In contrast, some French people think of Americans as tending to avoid true intellectual debate in favor of 'easy answers' and unchallenged assumptions. Below is a list of some of the most dominant stereotypes of Americans in France. Many of these are based on cultural differences and involve cultural traits that Americans tend to prize, but that the French tend to view negatively. It is important for you to be aware of these stereotypes so that you can work to avoid conflict in everyday social situations (at the bank, at the grocery store, in a restaurant, or in a museum). Which of these stereotypes do you recognize from popular movies, TV shows, magazines, and books? Can you think of some reasons why the French might have developed these stereotypes of Americans?
Many French people think of Americans as:
- friendly and outgoing, but also too informal and disrespectful of hierarchy
- hard working, but also always in a hurry, and so concerned about making money, making deadlines, or being 'productive' that they miss out on other important aspects of life
- ignorant of other countries and parts of the world, and therefore of the opinion that every other culture does, or should, share their particular social, cultural, and moral values
- unable and unwilling to speak any language other than English [Famous joke: 'What do you call someone who speaks three languages? A trilingual. What do you call someone who speaks two languages? A bilingual. What do you call someone who speaks one language? An American.']
- immature, rude, and loud, and likely to get drunk in public (there is also the common conception that American students abroad are only interested in partying / getting drunk)
- (over)confident in their belief that they have all the answers, and/or that the American way of doing things is the only way, the best way, or the 'right' way
Language and Culture
All study abroad participants are encouraged to take French in the semester(s) before they go, and are expected to take a French course (appropriate for their level of spoken French) while on the program. Having access to the language means having access to truly authentic cultural experiences, including movies, concerts, plays, on-site lectures, and live conversations with new friends. Knowing French is also an excellent way of debunking many of the stereotypes the French have of Americans. Using French sends the message that you respect their culture, and want to share in it and learn from it. Using French will also give you insight into the ways in which the French show respect linguistically.
French distinguishes between two forms of 'you': tu and vous. The vous form is used to show respect for those whom one does not know well or who are in positions of authority. The tu form is used among peers or in the family. As students, you will use tu with other students, but vous with professors and people you don't know well. Using tu in a store or restaurant can get you a very cold reaction, as can saying 'Bonjour' without adding 'Madame,' 'Monsieur,' or 'Mademoiselle' after it. And don't forget the most important phrases you'll use while abroad: 's'il vous plait' and 'merci'!
Personal Safety and Responsibility
Unfortunately, there is one stereotype about Americans that needs special mention in the context of a study abroad program: the stereotype of American college women as 'loose', despite the perceived 'Puritanical' tendencies of American culture. This is of course only a stereotype – nevertheless, it is an extremely powerful one that is often reinforced by international media (movies, television shows, and magazines), and it is therefore imperative that women pay attention to the way they present themselves to others while abroad. What is meant (and understood) in the States as simply being friendly can often be perceived as actively flirting, or even as a sexual invitation. In particular, making eye contact or smiling at someone on the street are often misunderstood as an open invitation for an advance. Bottom line: while it is not always necessary for women to travel in groups or dress conservatively (although those are indeed good bets for avoiding unwanted attention), it is still a good idea for women to be conscious of how they present themselves to others. It is also a very good idea for women to study how Frenchwomen treat Frenchmen, and to make note of the body language and social cues Frenchwomen use to establish clear boundaries for personal space.
When it comes to ensuring one's physical safety, the same common-sense ground rules apply in France as in the United States. Both men and women need to be aware of their surroundings at night, and be wary of giving out personal information (such as campus dorm room number) to strangers. ATMs should be used with caution at night. And just as in the United States, women should not walk alone at night, even on the Alès campus. Drinking too much at a bar can pose risks too – women who go out to a bar should always have a friend accompany them back to the dorm. For all students: Your safety is your top priority, and it is always better to be safe than sorry! You must also remember that according to French law, EVERYONE must carry their official ID with them at all times. For tourists/students, this means having your official passport with you AT ALL TIMES. Under French law, a person not carrying ID can be held in jail for 48 hours. Other laws are also different: do not assume that the laws governing public and private behavior are the same as those you are familiar with in the United States.
Studying abroad is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and it can be nothing short of life-changing. The power and joy of this experience comes from the opportunity it affords for examining your own culture as you adapt to fit a different one. Southern France offers a perfect study abroad environment. By being both open minded and savvy about a few basic things you can ensure that you come away with positive memories and a better understanding of the world.