sarahblaiser

Midterms in France

Published on October 23, 2023October 23, 2023 by sarahblaiserLeave a comment

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This week has been quite hectic because it is the dreaded time of the semester when midterms roll in. I was informed before going abroad for school, that different countries would have different teaching and grading styles compared to the United States.

My experience so far has been pretty mild compared to some midterm weeks I have had at DU. The teachers know things are a bit hectic, so they try to spread things out for everyone. This past week I had three exams, and this coming week I have one exam and two papers. There is much to do, but the teachers want you to succeed, so communicating with them will really help.

At my school, we were told if you have more than two exams on one day, then they will work with you to reschedule any other ones that may fall on the same day. If you talk to your professors they are really good about helping rearrange things so that you aren’t too stressed.

Since most schools abroad revolve around a semester schedule and not the quarter schedule we are used to, there may be more material on exams. Talking with your professor to go in for office hours to have a review session is really helpful. If you or your professor isn’t available out of class time, ask if you can do a review session in class. Professors will at the very least answer a few questions after class to help you succeed.

Besides communicating with your professors, communicate with your classmates as well! Classes are much smaller abroad so it is really easy to get to know almost everyone in your class. Try to meet up for study sessions or go over notes with a friend. Having another person to ask questions or bounce ideas off of is very helpful.

Communication with those around you is the best tip for succeeding during midterm week. Besides that, find a good cafe with wifi and study! As long as you attend class and communicate with your teacher, you should be set.

Are French People Mean?

Published on October 16, 2023October 18, 2023 by sarahblaiserLeave a comment

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One of the stereotypes that I heard a lot before coming to France was to be wary that the French are mean. Almost everyone I talked with warned me to be careful. I have found that this stereotype can be true in some instances, but can an entire country of people really be mean?

I have noticed that in Europe as a whole, people are a lot more blunt and honest. Many people may appear unfriendly, but they are just on a mission doing their own thing. Most outward emotions are saved for friends and family.

There have been many run-ins with strangers that I would consider a lot less friendly than any run-in in the US, but the culture here is very different. In my experience, many people do not make conversation with random strangers. I found this a bit off-putting at first, but it makes a lot of sense. It all goes back to culture. We are marked as overly friendly Americans because some of our habits are odd to them as well. For example, in the US I always hug my friends when I see them, in France, hugging is a bit too close and they enjoy “les bisous,” which is quick kisses on the cheeks.

In my opinion, all of this leads back to the question of if French people are mean. I don’t think they are mean in any way, they are just a different kind of friendly than Americans. If you enter a store and chat with a storekeeper, they will love you for days. They give you what you give them. If you are friendly, they will likely be friendly back. The only time I have had a negative experience it likely falls back to a miscommunication, especially in language.

I think labeling all the French as mean is an overstep. In order to understand the French you must understand the differences between our cultures. Many of the differences I have yet to encounter, but each day I find something new. Finding out the quirks of this culture and noticing the quirks of my own has been really fun. There have been many moments where I miss the US, but there are so many amazing aspects of the culture here. When looking for a place to study abroad, do not rule out any countries based on the stereotypes, you may miss out on an amazing group of people.