Intercultural Adjustment in France & Culture Shock

While traveling and living abroad, having an open mind is key to understanding and appreciating cultural practices and customs that may be different from your own. I have studied about French culture for years, but it was nothing compared to living there and experiencing it first-hand. Before studying in France, I believed that culture shock was a myth and that it could never happen to me since I was already well-informed about the culture, but I soon proved myself wrong. In fact, culture shock is a complex phenomenon with several steps which include:

1. The Honeymoon Phase: when everything is new and exciting
2. The Cultural Crisis: feeling misunderstood and irritated by your surroundings
3. The Low Point: when you feel lonely, homesick, and annoyed with the new culture
4. Acceptance, Adjustment, & Integration: curiosity & positive thinking returns
5. Re-Entry Shock: feeling sad to leave & realization that home culture is now foreign

My study abroad with CIEE was the first time I had been alone from my family for a substantial period of time, so that in itself was an adjustment. For the first week and a half, it was tough to acclimatize to a new schedule, new people, new classes, and new culture all at the same time. I went through the stages of culture shock, where I felt isolated from everyone, but I kept reminding myself that this feeling was only temporary. Luckily, I had my classmates – now some of my best friends – as well as my host family to help overcome the initial struggle. Once I reached the acceptance stage, I was so excited for all the opportunities to explore the country and culture. 

Throughout the program, I have found that I have acclimated to many cultural norms that were unfamiliar to me. One instance that I can recall was moments after I had just landed in Paris in late May, where it was around 70ºF (21ºC); and since it was warmer, I changed into shorts. As soon as I did, I looked around to see much more fashionable and modestly dressed people in the waiting area, and I felt out of place and poorly dressed. I come to realize that French people typically dress for the season and not for weather, and they will do so in style. For a while, I was worried about being judged for how I dressed until I noticed that a lot of people have their own style. It was then I realized that I do not have to lose myself in hopes of fitting into another culture. Ultimately, despite the many trials and errors that I have had while adjusting to life in France, I would not trade my experiences and acquired knowledge for the world.

Claire Gordon

Oakland University

CIEE-Rennes Intensive French Language & Culture (Summer 2024)