Where are you living in France?
I am living in Dieppe, Normandy, located in northern France. It is so beautiful and right on the coast! The beach is within walking distance from my house.
I found it to be a super cool coincidence that I got placed here because we have a Dieppe in New Brunswick, too. Dieppe, New Brunswick was named to honour the Canadians who died in the Battle of Dieppe, France during WW2. There are monuments everywhere here for that same battle.
Is school different in France?
School is quite different in France compared to my school in Canada. In Canada, I am in grade 10, which is at a high school, but due to the difference in curriculum difficulty, I am in grade 9 here, which is at a middle school. School here is much more formal and strict.
I find that students in France also have less of a connection with teachers. The teachers are here to teach, and while some of them are friendly or kind, the student-teacher relationships are certainly different. There are also little to no clubs and activities that take place at school. Extra-curricular activities happen outside of school hours mainly through external organizations, like club sports or music lessons. This is very different than my school in Canada, where I am a member of 8 different clubs that I attend at lunchtime. There are also little to no events like "pep rallies" or "spirit assemblies". I miss these already and look forward to when I get back!
Are you participating in an exchange, or just on a vacation?
I am participating in an exchange through OSEF. I had a student from France live with me for 3 months and attend school in Canada, and now I am doing the same with her here in France.
Have you experienced cultural shock yet?
For sure! But I feel that it has been a shock in a positive way. When you're submerged in a totally different environment than you're used to, of course, you're in shock. However, I have to say, it's one of my favourite feelings ever. I was ready for a big change.
How long have you been/going to be there?
My exchange is about 12 weeks (almost 3 months). I have been here for 9 weeks, and I have about two and a half weeks left before I return back home to Canada.
What is something that caught you off guard?
Smoking was one of the biggest things that caught me off guard. I have travelled to other areas of Europe and I had previously noticed how much more common smoking is than it is in Canada. The smell of smoke fills most buildings, and I walk past a group of parents every day on my way to school who are chatting around their strollers with their babies or young children in them, and a cigarette in their hands. Every one of them. It is something that I don't often see in Canada. I think that smoking is much more judged and frowned upon in North America. I find that I often have to put that judgement in check.
Do you have a school uniform?
No, I have lucked out on that one. Some public schools in France do.
Is your school all in French? Or is there English too?
My school is all in French, however they learn so many languages at school, unlike at my school in Canada. Students here learn Spanish, Italian, German, Latin, and English. English is obligatory so everyone knows a little bit, but it's not equivalent to our "French Immersion" here. Like us and our French Immersion programs, some students understand and speak better than others.
How is the food?
The food is good! So much different than in Canada though. They use a lot more dairy products than I'm used to in Canada, like cream-based soups, cheese, yogurt, etc. They also eat mainly vegetables that are in season, so right now I'm eating a lot of potatoes, carrots, and radishes. It's much less of a variety of fruits and vegetables than I eat in Canada but I know it's much better for the environment.
I am also a bit of a picky eater and an over-thinker... even when it comes to food. I had to stop freaking out over how old the cheese was and just eat it. I am now obsessed with cheese and will eat it any chance I get!
I am also OBSESSED with Speculoos spread. It's similar to peanut butter (the idea of it) but sadly it's much more of a junk food... It's a spread made out of Speculoos cookies, so I guess that makes sense.
Do you prefer school in France or in Canada?
I prefer my school in Canada. I love having the experience of attending school in France, but I will be so happy to go back to school in Canada. I would say it's one of the only things I miss.
Do you have a hard time understanding teachers and kids at school?
I have a hard time understanding certain teachers who have accents from other places (for example, my math teacher who is from Morocco) but I quickly caught on. Also, sometimes kids talk super fast and often say words backwards (it's a style of slang) and I have to ask them to repeat it. Overall, my French was stronger than I expected and I understand most people.
Are the houses different?
The architecture, layout and style of houses are much different here than in Canada and most of that is because of the age and style of when they were made. I find that there is more character in the houses here, and they tell their story. One of the biggest differences that I have found with the inside of houses is that bathrooms are just that; the room where you bathe. The toilet is in a different room, sometimes not even on the same floor.
Is it hard having to speak your second language with your family?
I am not struggling too much with my language. However, that's thanks to the number of times I've been forced to practice my second language outside of school. Whenever we are in French communities, my mom has made my brother and I practice our French. I also practice during the summer at work because tourists from all over visit and some of them are French.
What are the differences between Canadian French and the French there?
The accent is obviously different, but I find that Canadian French is more literally translated from English. For example, here they just say "le weekend" for "the weekend" but in New Brunswick, we say "la fin de semaine" which is a literal translation of "the week-end". They are both the same language, just evolved differently.
What's your favourite place that you've visited?
I have loved almost every place that I've been to, but two of my favourites in France were Saint-Malo and Veules-Les-Roses, but we also went to Brugges in Belgium and that was amazing.
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