I'm afraid to be a foreign exchange student in France?
I might be going to France for a semester next year, and I'm afraid of a bunch of things. I want to go to college for French. *First, I don't want to do academically bad, although I will most likely be majoring in French in college. My junior year is a really important year with all the testing and such. *I worry about away from my family for too long. Will we ever connect like we used to, or will the time apart make it awkward to be together again? *What if I don't make friends? Will I lose touch with my old friends? *Most importantly, I'm afraid of everything I will be missing back in America, all the fun and memorable experiences I won't be here for. I don't really know if I should be scared of any of these things. Are there any previous exchange students who can help me out?
Other - France - 5 Answers
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1 :
Welcome to the big wide world. I lived and worked in France for two years and really enjoyed it. I liked the French culture and found they respect you for learning their language. Just like any city in the world be very aware! If you go out stick to Irish bars or local French bars. Larger is expensive like 10 Euro a pint because binge drinking is no ta part of their culture. If you ever visit Paris you can get a mobilis card which gives you transport on the metro, buses and land line CNCF train all day, so if you like you can take in Euro Disney, Paris and Vall De Europe (Biggest Shopping mall in Europe next stop to Disney) all in one day. If you eat out in France and order beef burgers or steak ask for it bien que or you'll get it half cooked.
2 :
Because I'm french and English , i know you have nothing to worry about.At times when my french is kind of lop sided, my cousin or my family in France or at home encourage me to do better at it(sometimes me and my cousins joke about her learning English and me french LOL).Just like any family, your family would be proud of you attending a french school.i know it's for one whole year, but remember who you are doing this for and how it will help in the nearer or further future.Maybe when you come back it may become quite awkward and you may change to them and them to you but then the awkwardness will pass away, trust me.I've been to visit some of my family in Congo and when i come back i miss my family and love them very much but notice if they've become fatter or skinnier or just the same or if I've changed.i think you might make friends and if you do, when you come home you can start typing to or writing to that person.some memorable experiences may come in America but also in France as well and you won't be able to miss that.your friends and family can tell you of what happened anyway. when you get out of your comfort level you can feel scared and uncomfortable but it is sometimes rewarding. while you're in America, revise french for when you go so that you're not completely behind.
3 :
I'm going to be a foreign exchange student in France next year as well! I, too, will be a junior! (May I ask what program you are using?) I have many of the same worries as you do. Especially the will I make friends, and how will I do academically. I'm also worried because I don't speak French very well. But I sat down and I decided it's worth it. I know I'll be missing a lot, but it will be the time of my life. I might not get to go to Homecoming but who cares?! I'LL BE IN FRANCE! I think you need to go with this thought process. Also, it's only for a semester. I know that seems like a long time, but you'll come back before you know it, and you'll have the story of a life time.
4 :
I'm studying abroad next fall for an entire year so don't feel alone. We're just going to have to get out of our comfort zones and go up to people and introduce ourselves (hi, I'm ________, can I sit next to you?) in class or during lunch or something. If you send post cards and such, I'm sure keeping in contact with your friends and family will be much easier with Skype and Facebook and whatnot. You just need to make the effort. The grading system is obviously different and the grades will even out after everything is said and done. All the grades are /20 (like 8/20. That's actually about equivalent to a B). As long as you work at it, you'll do okay as far as grades go. I've talked to a lot of previous foreign exchange students who have studied in Angers, Lyon, and Poitiers. You just need to realize that this will forever change your life for the better. You will be so much more educated and have a bigger perspective on life that all the enormous benefits will far outweigh the minor negatives.
5 :
Go on this website with all of your questions/worries http://www.cultures-shocked.org it was helpful for me. :)
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