What's it like in France???... student exchange coming up...experience only please....?

Question

I might be going to France on a student exchange later next year, and want to know what it's like in any way?? Is it worth going for 10 weeks???

Answer 1

Study as much French as you can-- now. Don't feel too bad if some of the French students seem cliqueish-- many of them have had the same pals/classmates since kindergarten.  Most of the French students will be reasonably polite, even friendly.  Don't fall into the bad habits of smoking/drinking.  Those are tough habits to break.  French students tend to use the "tu" (you, familiar) form even with students they don't know well.  They also use first names very liberally.  But professors/teachers must always be addressed as "vous" and ppl in France tend not to use first names, even after knowing a person for years.  10 weeks sounds about right.  Enough time to familiarize yourself with another culture, but also not too much time where you'll fall behind in your regular school.  Bon voyage! Also, nobody in France wears a beret (except veterans at Armistice Day ceremonies).

Answer 2

Your problem will be as follows : you'll appreciate to live in the middle of a group - so cosy - and you'll go back home with no harm

At the same time you'll make very much noise as any other group, and this noise will make you deaf & dumb toward the supposed aim of your trip : Frence and french  -

Your skills will not be proofed - and you'll be back to France without one word more in your vocabulary -

Otherwise you'll not suffer any contradiction, any schock, any surprise, and you'll be back home, with less money -

Nice trip -