Submitted by Haleigh Kidd on the 2019 fall semester program in Paris, France…
First let me apologize for this delayed post! Classes are starting to pick up and I’m starting to get a fair amount of work and on top of that I just started a babysitting job! Babysitting has been another great way to practice my French (the boys are 9 and 7 and haven’t started formal English classes in school yet, they only know colors and greetings) and to immerse myself in school and family culture in France. My weekend travels have also really opened my eyes to how culture can vary tremendously even across short distances.
My recent trip to Ireland really illustrated this to me – the Irish are very much like Americans in that to make small talk they ask you about what you do, they talk about family, they share stories, etc. etc. They are pretty open about sharing about their lives and want to know you like Americans. We were warned at our first on-site meeting in France that the French are just more protective over the details of their private life and, from my experience, I can tell you this is true. I met another Frenchman during my time in Ireland and after our conversation, I learned nothing of his private life, but his name and his hometown and our conversation mostly consisted of details of our hometowns, the differences between the north and south of France as well as the United States, etc. Even with my supervisors at work, our conversations mostly stay within the realms of politics or cultural differences, and when they both mentioned to me recently about their wife/girlfriend I was a little floored and I felt pretty special being let into their private lives just a little! So fair warning to any Americans, don’t overshare with a French person you’ve just met, delving into personal topics to get to know someone just isn’t the norm here, here it’s normal to share a wall with your neighbor for years and never even learn their name! The only pictures I have to share this week are actually from Ireland at the Cliffs of Moher, only because I was so proud of myself for truly conquering my fear this time by taking a peak over the edge and I have the cliffs I hiked in Normandy to thank for getting me over the first hurdle! My advice: conquer one fear in your life, you’ll never feel any other liberation quite like it.
