11 Obvious signs you studied abroad in France
Nostalgic for your days abroad? You know, that semester or two when you lived (and studied a bit) in a country far removed from your home campus, parents, and perhaps significant other. It’s a time of self-discovery, new tastes, new languages, and new options.
If you have been lucky enough to count yourself among the more than 17,000 American students who study abroad in France each year, perhaps you’ve returned with some of these tell-tale signs of a semester or two abroad…
Related: 12 tips for studying in Paris.
1. You dressed better than any other time during your college experience.
Blame it on Celio. Call it the “France Effect”. Whatever the reason, you emerged from your time abroad with more style than you went into it, and happily engaged (perhaps with carefully rehearsed surprise) in conversations about “how different you look” upon your return.
Bonus points: You returned with an accent. (Well, everyone else heard it, but you…)
2. The word “Monoprix” makes you nostalgic.
The glorious Kmart-meets-Macy’s-meets-Shop Rite hybrid that is Monoprix always tugged at your heart. From apartment supplies to that very dependable bottle of ridiculously cheap but not-too-shabby red wine, Monoprix provided for just about everything.
3. You took a drawing or painting class that had nothing to do with your major. And it was HARD.
What’s more “French” than drawing live nudes? Well, probably drawing them with skill and earning the respect of your classroom peers. Hallelujah for pass / fail!
4. You developed a deep affection for Clairefontaine notebooks.
Sure, the graph paper took a little getting used to, but once you did, there was no turning back. Too bad they’re so expensive back home.
5. You still have a copy of L’Etranger in your possession.
Camus was pretty much the James Dean of study abroad students in France. The Coke to Sartre’s Pepsi.
6. For a period of time, you smoked. And you preferred Gauloises Blondes to Gitanes.
Wait, you smoked? Well, a bit. Enough to know how to order the Gauloises Ultra Lights at the tabac. (Wait, was it “ley-jay” or “ley-gere”?) Hopefully, you also learned how to quit!
How about a little civilized television? Photo: Alatele fr
7. You never felt comfortable watching those French TV talk shows featuring prominent actors, writers, intellectuals and politicians sitting around a table discussing culture in front of a live audience.
What were they saying? And why was the audience laughing? Even when your French improved and you could better understand what was being said, their formality and civility mystified.
8. You bragged about transit strikes.
Mom, dad, friends back home… they heard (but probably didn’t understand) how you were inconvenienced by transit strikes. I mean, you had to walk to class! Your trip to Nice was delayed! And yet, you learned to shrug it off. Ça m’est égal!
9. You developed a bias for either Lonely Planet or Rough Guides.
The Montague and Capulet’s of the guidebook world, the two rarely co-existed in personal libraries abroad. Bonus points for Let’s Go Guides. Extra Bonus Points for Berkeley Guides.
10. You still have nightmares about French class.
Just when you think they’re through… What do you mean, I have to present a report on Maupassant in front of these serious looking French students? BAM! – You wake up in a cold sweat from another one.
11. You wouldn’t have changed a thing about your experience.
Schmaltzy? Yes. And, sure, not all of it went exactly as planned. But your time abroad shaped you in profound ways and took you several steps closer to where you are today. Super legeres and all.
More signs that you studied abroad?
What other tell-tale signs point to a student who studied abroad in France? Share your “signs” in the comments section below.
About the author
