Typical day as a French student + Culture Shock!

This post is all about my first impressions in France after spending the entirety of life in the United States. I remember it like it was yesterday, the feeling of entering an entirely new territory and for the most part, alone.

Place Stanislas, Nancy, France

After my first month in Nancy, France, I was somewhat settled, somewhat still uncomfortable, but aware that this was just the process of being young and somewhere new away from family. I wouldn’t say I was unable to handle being alone, because I was and still am actually quite comfortable and good at amusing myself. What I found a little more complicated was getting out there and meeting new people, speaking a different language.

At the time, I could discuss normal things in French with anyone (as in conversations about daily life, what I did last weekend, etc. ) but still had trouble explaining specifics, or talking to people I have always spoken to in English (my boyfriend at the time and his family… the best people to practice with *face palm*). I could go to the student cafeteria and say enough to wiggle my way into a group of French students, but not exactly following the complete conversation of a group of 7.

My weekly schedule went like this: Every morning, I would wake up and enjoy my tea and biscuits while listening to French radio to subconciously improve my listening skills. I would go to class, which was a 5 minute walk from my apartment or less.

I endured 20 hours of intensive French a week. 6 hours on Monday, 6 hours on Tuesday, 2 hours on Wednesday, 4 on Thursday, and another 2 on Friday. I enjoyed getting the majority of it tackled at the beginning of the week so that the end of the week was more tranquil and I could spend more time executing new skills on the street, meeting new people, and simply using my time exactly how I want to. Whether that be studying what I wanted to in my quiet and cozy apartment, watching Netflix in French, running errands, working out, making food, or going out with friends.

At noon, I would eat lunch in the student cafeteria with my peers, which provided a generous amount of food for the price of 3.25 euros. At the end of the day, I made sure to do some sort of exercise at my place or with the sports program offered by the University of Lorraine. I'd make myself dinner in my little corner kitchen, listen to some relaxing music and light a candle. At the time I was dating someone who studied in Luxembourg, so I would take a BlaBlacar, (an affordable car pooling service for those of you that may not be familier) and go to Luxembourg right after class on Friday to visit him for the weekend, which is an hour and half away.

Culture shock

After living in a tiny, rural/suburban community for the majority of my existence, the shift into city life was a little intimidating. Northern France is definitely astonishing, the language, the architecture, the feeling of walking around where people have walked before you so long ago… but I must admit that it has a different vibe. People are not as warm as I was used to. This was city life. People have things to do, places to be, so you better push someone out of the way to squeeze into public transport or you will be left behind (That happened once — I was pushed, but no worries I didn’t push anyone back hehe. I just waited for the next tram to come, even though it made me late for an appointment. Anyone who knows me can imagine my huffiness).

Church of St. Leo IX

No one smiles at each other in passing, and I guess that is a normal thing for everyone but I think it’s weird to make eye contact with someone and then pretend to look past them like they aren’t even there. Maybe on busy shopping streets, but the little streets around my school?

I accepted this cultural difference with a grain of salt. I’ve met plenty of nice people in Nancy that will be forever remembered as company I enjoyed during my year in France. It’s just a different ambience, is all. It isn’t my hometown where I know everyone. Like I said, it's city life! And yes, I did feel like quite a city girl with my handbag, shades, and (fake) leather jacket.

What I can tell you, is that French people love their food. I once went out for dinner with a girlfriend and remember that finishing the entrée, main course, and dessert was actually a struggle, but of course we ate the whole thing. It’s like you knew you were totally overeating and stuffing yourself, but the food tasted too good and you’re just eating it for the taste. That is what you call a gourmand in French. Pretty much every French person is a gourmand. How could one not be? All of the fine cuisine, cheese, bread, wine, pastries… I will stop now. It has been said that Americans are fat because of our giant portions, and that the reason French people are assumed to be thin is because they eat rich foods in moderation. There has to be another factor here, some kind of secret, because that was a lot of food even for me, and I can eat.

Frankly, I couldn't keep up with the social aspect of drinking. I was 18 at the time and therefore legal in the EU, but I just couldn't do it every weekend. To think that kids my age in my home country were going to crazy frat parties, and the ones here were dressing up going out to clubs, and I was there, legally permitted to drink alcohol, but eh. Young adults my age are like crazed, energetic animals that can go all night, party party! But I love my bed, my sleep, my clear skin, and feeling good. Of course I wouldn't pass on a drink here and there or a night out from time to time as it is part of the experience, but I really am not a European, and I have learned it the hard way.

Me drinking the occassional glass of rosé!

Most people that I met in Nancy would be surprised when they found out that I am American. In their point of view, Americans travel all over for holidays, but never actually move around for the longterm like myself. I feel like there are definitely more American expats in the world today, but at the time I was the only American there until I met one of my best girlfriends, who was doing a semester abroad but was originally from Florida. They would always ask me if I like Trump. The answer was and still is no.

I hope you enjoyed reading about my experience as a student in Nancy, France!

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