*Article by Hannah Storey
Recently, I spoke with my parents, brother and sister about what they’re up to at home in Bethesda, Maryland. My brother, a senior in high school, told me about his college applications and the “weird” questions they pose. This got me thinking about my WFU application (one I almost decided not to submit because of its intimidating length).
As it turns out, the question I remember having the most fun with wasn’t a question, but a demand. “Give us your top ten list.” My 17-year-old self compiled a list of the top 10 things I did, saw, learned and ate during a two-week solo trip to Paris the summer before my senior year. For this blog, I’ve decided to repeat the exercise with my top ten list of being life abroad (in no particular order) in the hopes that it will encourage the women of WFU to plan a semester overseas!
10. A light workload
I could really write a separate (albeit extremely boring) post about how fantastic this part is. It is truly a different world – French university doesn’t require massive papers, hundreds of arithmetic problems or four hour biology labs for a single class. Being a Wake Forest student through and through, I moan and groan about the smallest assignments, but then stop upon remembering my friends and what they must be going through. Call it a “break from Wake” if you will.
9. Monoprix
This is probably France-specific, but it deserves its own number anyway. Monoprix, an upscale version of Target, is truly wonderful. I literally frequent Monoprix for snacks, accessories, socks, even clothing, at least 4 times per week. The clothing line is extremely cute, the makeup section rivals that of Sephora and the wine aisles are truly something to behold.
8. Class culture
I take my classes at the University of Burgundy in the school for international students. It may be a little different than what real French students are experiencing but my professors make far more jokes (some uncomfortable, some funny, some not as much) and spend much more time in class asking questions of each student than I have ever experienced at Wake. I don’t see myself getting too close to them (we’re only here for 8 weeks, after all) but it makes the two-hour class period go by quickly!
7. The drinking age
This might be every study abroad student’s favorite advantage of being in Europe. It’s fantastic to be able to head to a wine bar, a pub or a restaurant and order an aperitif or a glass of wine without thinking twice.
Flannery’s, our favorite pub in Dijon
6. No snacking!
Pathetically, this was one of the things I had the most trouble adjusting to. My host mother doesn’t keep snack foods in the house – like most French adults, she goes shopping every two or three days for the week’s meals to ensure the freshness of the food. After a couple weeks weaning myself off of snacking every 90 minutes, I’m able to better enjoy and savor each meal as they come. This is one of the biggest cultural differences I have noticed so far!
5. Meals in general
Snacking seems like a good way to transition into one of the best things about life abroad (especially life in France) – the food. In restaurants or at someone’s home, you’ll be served bread, wine, and always cheese. Regional foods are always fun to try, and of course, national delicacies like escargots (snail), foie gras (duck liver) or frog’s legs. The former two I have tasted and liked, but the last might require a little more convincing.
One of my first French dinners out at a restaurant. Green salad and melon come with many dishes!
4. Less caffeine required
Freshman year, you might have spotted me in the ZSR with a venti triple-shot skinny vanilla latte (and loving it). Not the case in France. Eating and drinking while walking around is considered “bad form” and therefore so are to-go cups. Starbucks also doesn’t exist in Dijon, so there’s that too. I can’t say I was thrilled when I first realized all this, but after five weeks of adjusting, my sleep schedule (and wallet) is loving the all-natural, caffeine-free diet. Very refreshing!
3. Proximity to other places
Europe is, obviously, packed with things to do and places to go. WFU programs are wonderful because students have Fridays free of class, which means an extra day to travel. Here, the decision to “go to Switzerland for the weekend” on a whim makes total sense….
2. European transportation
The efficient train system, the “carte jeune” for students (gives anyone under 26 a seriously lowered price for train tickets) and the widespread system of youth hostels make weekend trips a cheap, exciting and enjoyable possibility.
1. Fluency
Cliché, maybe (and cheesy, yes), but if you choose a language immersion program you won’t regret it. Two months in France has done more for my speaking abilities than seven years in high school ever did. At the end of the day, I’m here for a reason — to better my French — and I feel more confident every day in my decision to come here as a sophomore just because of the progress I’ve already made!
Stay tuned for upcoming posts all the way from Dijon, France!