Submitted by Olivia Toth on the 2016 fall semester study abroad program in Paris, France…
So far, I love the French family I am staying with! They are very nice and welcoming. Although it is still difficult for me to speak French with them, I’m adjusting as best I can and it gets easier each day to communicate smoothly. The biggest difference in culture I have noticed so far is how the French spend their meals. In the United States, I eat meals very quickly, and hardly ever with my family during the week. But the French spend almost two hours a night serving three course meals, which I think is a nice opportunity to get to know the family better. To them, dinner is very important and they enjoy the time around the table, whereas at home I would usually eat alone or in front of the TV. It is an aspect of the French culture that I am finding I enjoy very much.