Ajustement Culturel : L’Importance De Saisir Une Autre Culture

I prefer to use the term “adjustment” rather than “shock” when it comes to integrating yourself into a new culture. “Adjustment” comes with a more positive connotation that implies that it’s feasible to integrate yourself, as well as implying that you are the one initiating the steps to listen and learn to understand it. I have found most value in my semester abroad from learning to embrace adjustment instead of brushing things off as “shock” and viewing French culture as an obstacle to my own American culture. I like to think of it as I think of going through jet lag; the more you focus on the time back in your own country, the longer it takes you to get used to the new time difference. Simply acknowledging that you must, and can, actively work to adapt to a new culture (and a new time zone) is a huge step in making it easier, though it at first may seem an impossible endeavor.

The largest adjustment for me was accessibility to public transport and walkable cities. As an American, I’m used to living with car-centered infrastructure, driving wherever I need to go and driving to places to exercise (pitifully ironic when you think about it). I recall my first time taking public transport alone in France, as it was also my first time taking public transport alone in my life. I was going home from a day out with friends, and it was pouring rain. As soon as I departed from my friends, I found out that there were protests which were hindering bus lines (another cultural difference, there are often a lot of local protests). I only knew of one bus line to get to my house, and didn’t know any other way to get home. I was terrified and sat at a bus stop crying, thinking I’d never get home. Luckily, another student on my trip was there and showed me how to understand the bus lines and which direction to take. We waited together until the buses were back on, and I successfully made it home. If I were in that situation now, I realize I could take the metro and just get off to take an unaffected bus line…in hindsight, it would have been so easy for me to get home! But as someone who never had to navigate public transportation, this was a huge adjustment for me. I had to realize that my new normal was no longer driving. Now I know exactly how to get around and navigate wherever I need to go; I’ve found that I most prefer a 20-minute walk to the metro. Public transportation is a wonderful tool once you understand it, and I’ve found it now to be something I wish we had more of in America.

An unexpected adjustment I recently had to make was when I had to go to the hospital. I was dealing with what I know now was a bad virus, but I was extremely dehydrated and was admitted for one night. The last time I was at a hospital in the U.S. was five years ago, and being in one in France was a bit daunting! Luckily, the nurses and doctors were incredibly kind. They did not speak much English, so I communicated mostly in French. I tried to think of it as a personal experience of a different healthcare system, and a chance to keep working on my language learning! I am still in awe of how much cheaper it is to get x-rays and efficient care from such great workers. Everyone was interested that I was from America. I was even asked if I knew of the song “Sweet Home, Alabama” (to which I excitedly replied, “Je le connais BIEN!”). It was interesting to observe the differences between the one time I can recall visiting the hospital in the U.S. I noticed that they gave me a piece of paper with a QR code and password to access pictures of my lung x-rays, and they even emailed me after my visit with notes and a survey to make sure that all the staff were efficient and kind. While being in the hospital was not the most fun part of my semester abroad, it was absolutely a unique experience with a firsthand look into the French healthcare system. 

I hope that prospective students will consider a mindset of embracing adjustment rather than succumbing to shock. It’s important to take a seat back and let yourself be immersed in the culture. There's no need to bring your American routines; set them to the side. They’re called your American routines for a reason! Create some new France routines and accept that things will be okay, just different. I guarantee your head will be clearer and you’ll find yourself more appreciative of the rich culture this country has to offer. You might even find some things you like better in France. 

Katy WATKINS 

Furman University 

CIEE-Rennes LA FALL 2024