Studying Abroad in France
Preface everything with “Pourriez-vous”, it helps avoid putting someone off by being too direct. If you still don’t understand, ask them to write it down. Don’t hesitate to (politely) ask anyone for help with your French, they may or may not respond politely, but they will generally respond, and you will learn much more French from the people themselves than from any book.
Don’t plan to shop on Monday, many shops and even bars, grocery stores, etc. don’t open until Tuesday. Go sight-seeing after classes or study with friends.
Do visit local weekend markets if at possible for inexpensive, fresh, delicious local foods of all sorts. You really can buy your food for the whole week here if you have an icebox. If not, you can at least buy fresh foods and sometimes cheese, in small portions that can be eaten within a day or so. You can also buy French books there for alternate study aids.
Use “pointure” to say “size” when speaking of shoes, not “taille”, which is for clothing. Know your european size and realize that there is some variation even within european sizes. Try a new pair of shoes on and walk in them before buying.
Ask for “un plan” when you need a map of a town, “une carte” is a map of the country.
Do (politely) request to speak French with whomever possible, they will often offer to speak English if it is clear French is not your first language, but this will get you nowhere. Discipline yourself and force yourself to speak only French. Try to avoid spending time only with people from your own country or state, get to know the people you hear speaking French. I made friends with a Japanese lady who spoke excellent French and got much more French practice in the time I spent with her than with the other Americans there.
Do travel within your region and get to know the little towns, this is how you will get a feel for what France is really like. Don’t spend more time in the large cities than you need to, they are generally commercialized, filled with competent English speakers who will have to be persuaded to put up with your less competent French, and much less typically French in flavor and atmosphere than the smaller villages.
If you travel outside the country, think about whether you will need to change money at the border, not all of France’s bordering countries accept Euros.
Try to make a local friend as soon as possible, places and things are rarely clearly marked in France and even maps are often misleading or just plain wrong.
Don’t “tutoyer” teachers, school personnel, or anyone else who is much older than you at all unless you are sure it is all right with them.
For young female students, be careful when walking anywhere alone, as European men have a distinctly different attitude regarding women and will not hesitate to approach you, follow you, etc., especially if you make eye contact, which over there is seen as an open invitation.
Above all, enjoy every minute of it and don’t let homesickness or loneliness keep you from having the fabulous experience you should. A bit of confidence and initiative will do wonders for avoiding both, so be aggressive about making connections with people and experiences as opportunities arise. Remember, you will only be at this time in your life once, make the most of everything and don’t let minor misfortunes/mistakes/embarrassments detract from your experience. Be prepared to laugh at yourself a lot and shrug off a lot of things.
