Impressions “de la France”

    When  my plane left the ground from Boston Logan International airport on August 28, I could not help but be sad to think that I would not be back in the U.S until 2018, even though I knew there were so many incredible experiences coming my way. I knew that speaking French would be the hardest part of my journey and I could not imagine how hard it would be to surround myself with something that was very still foreign to me. The first few days in Paris were difficult because I was trying my best to speak French with everyone, but the words came slowly and the accent was not very good. At the end of each night, I would have a headache and French words would be swarming through my head the entire night. Not to mention it was also 90 degrees and the French do not have air conditioning. I did not realize that learning a language could be so hard, yet I knew at the same time this was the only way I would improve.

Exploring the Pompidou Center on our second day in Paris

My trip abroad is my third time in Europe, so the old buildings, abundance of cafes and restaurants, museums and markets did not surprise me. The challenge was getting used to a new way of living in a city, with a new family, a commute to school, more independence, more free time and a different language. My life in Rennes is very different than my life at home in New Hampshire or at school in New York, and I try to embrace these differences each day. For example, my classes are longer which gives students more time to discuss topics and lessons in greater detail. However, in some cases I only have most of my classes once a week for two hours, which I enjoy, but it is also harder to reinforce material. This is also because we have a very small amount of homework, usually one assignment a week for about three of my five classes. This has allowed me to spend a lot of time traveling and exploring Rennes’ cultural, café, and restaurant scene, which was something I was looking forward to. I love living and going to school in smaller towns/cities, but there is never very much to do. In Rennes, there is always something to do. I spend my afternoons having coffee with friends and trying to befriend other CIREFE and French students, taking a modern dance class, going to my host brothers’ concerts (they are professional musicians who live and work in Rennes), planning trips, eating galettes, spending time with my host family and doing homework.

My host brothers’ album release concert

Enjoying a “gaufre au caramel beurre sale” in Rennes after class

 
An afternoon spent at Pont-Aven with CIEE

I enjoy learning about the cultural differences between France and the US as I discover them. It surprised me that the French always keep the door closed. Coming from the U.S, where having an open door means that anyone is welcome to come in, I found it bizarre because it seems very closed off and unfriendly, but it’s just what they do. I constantly find myself forgetting to close the bathroom or my bedroom door at my host family’s house. They also use paper that is longer than what is used in the US, and serve fish whole at the dinner table. They eat a small breakfast of bread and coffee, protest almost every week, do not wear berets, smoke often, eat dinner past 8:00 at night and spend hours eating lunch. They also do not use screens in the windows, do not eat snacks, faire des bises (the kiss on each cheek when you greet someone), do not have many stores or restaurants open on Sundays or Mondays and enjoy politics.  Learning about each difference first-hand has been an eye opening and humbling experience. My study abroad advisor told me to, “expect nothing” and by doing so I have approached each day with an open mind ready to absorb as much as I can about the culture I am currently living in. The last month and a half have passed quickly, but I still have two more months to go. Each day, I hope to try something new whether it be a new bar, restaurant or food, a new person, a new place or even an unfamiliar word which will expose me further to my current, but only temporary home.

Erika Ireland

Hobart and William Smith Colleges