<p>So, can any body give me some valuable advice about studying in France, from experience?
I'm going to study in Dijon at the University of Bourgogne.</p>
<p>Bonjour!</p>
<p>I just came back from studying in Paris for a semester. & let me tell you, it was a hell of a ride! It was the best three months of my life.
First, the French are very nationalistic. Make an attempt to learn the language. I cannot stress this enough. I heard many complaints from fellow students on how rude, inconsiderate, unfriendly etc. the French were. I for one, can't claim to have had one negative experience with a French citizen and I strongly believe it was because even though I had no background in the French language prior to arriving in Paris, I tried to pick it up and used the little skills that I had to order my baguette and ask for directions. Americans believe that since we speak the "world language" everyone should be responsive to it. Sure 90% of French people do speak English but making the effort to communicate with people in their native tongue when you're in THEIR COUNTRY pays off. You have to be be a sponge when you're in a foreign country. Let go of your inhibitions. and get the **** out of your comfort zone. Everything is tiny in France- cars, food, apartments, people. To see an obese person in France is unusual. You walk many kilometers everyday. I've never been to Dijon, but I know that France has a superb public transit system in General.
Also, another thing to remember is that you don't have a lot of personal space in France. There are always swarms of people around you especially in Paris. There was one time when I was in the metro and five people were making bodily contact with me. It's weird at first, but you get used to it. There are protests all the time. I LOVE THAT! The French are all about civic activism.
Oh, & let go of your stereotype that all Parisians are decked out in designer clothes. That's hardly true. People don't wear make-up, don't dress cute for the most part, and smell sometimes especially in the summer. Also, France is more diverse than I ever imagined it to be. WHY? because France isn't reflected the way that it should be in the media. The food is amazing. Don't be like my peers and make a daily McDonalds trip. The Brasseries and Cafes are delicious. Oh & the Boulangeries! I'm so jealous that you're going to France. I miss it so much!!! It will be an amazing experience for you. Be sure to make a trip to Paris. It's a must see city!</p>
<p>PM me if you have any questions!</p>
<p>You're kidding!? Your peers -- and I take it you mean college students -- actually made daily trips to MacDonalds? I suppose I could see middle aged tourists ducking into MacDonalds a few times during a trip to France, but I'm really shocked at the idea that American students would waste a golden opportunity to break out of the burger rut. </p>
<p>I'm jealous too. And I'm one of those middle aged American tourists. For the record I've never been in an American fast food joint when travelling abroad ( and rarely at home for that matter).</p>
<p>yes, believe it or not, there were numerous students on the trip that really had no business being abroad. They didn't bother learning the language, adapting to the culture, or trying French food. They went to McDonald's and Starbucks religiously to "feel closer to home." Oddly, both American chains are actually very popular in France, especially in big cities like Paris.</p>
<p>I'm going to Paris in a week and a half (OMG!!!!) so I'll let you know how it is when I get back! </p>
<p>I'm glad fashionaddikt had a good experience. I hate McDonald's (if I eat fast food, it's typically Wendy's or nothing) so I would never eat there while I was in France anyway. I can't believe someone would rather go there than grab a baguette in a cafe or a crepe from a street vendor. I am a big fan of integrating into the local color and not sticking out like a sore thumb, which to me is just like putting a neon sign over your head that blinks, "I'm an American, please come steal all my stuff!!". I will also be studying the French language while I'm there, so there's not really any excuse for me to go around acting like a stupid American.</p>
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<li><p>Don't discount yourself or apologize for being an American. Don't act like an obnoxious tourist but don't sell yourself short with an inferiority complex.</p></li>
<li><p>I've only briefly visited Dijon, but if you're curious about typical French dress (I'm thinking of Paris and other northern areas, probably): it's very simple with a lot of layering. Typically: black pants, nice shoes (sneakers are either chucks or other "designery" shoes and not the chunky white ones), lots of layering, muted colors, a scarf is usually the most colorful part of an outfit and most people wear them so feel free to go crazy with that, a pea or trench coat will come in handy.</p></li>
<li><p>Be sure to check out grocery stores for food, even if you're mostly tempted to eat at caf</p></li>
</ol>