Chris C. - Paris, France - Spring 2013

Stereotypes and Misconceptions of Paris

Hello my fellow Elmhurst colleagues and study-abroaders! My name is Chris and I am a sophomore currently spending my spring semester in Paris, France!  In this blog I wanted to address some important things that I was uncertain and nervous about before coming to Paris. About one month ago before I arrived, I was totally nervous. I was excited to see the world and I knew I would love the experience, but I was still very afraid. I had never left the county before and I had forgotten much of the French I had taken in High School. I was scared that I wouldn’t be able to talk to people, I would get lost, I would get mugged, I would struggle living on my own, my classes would be hard, and that I would feel very lonely and homesick. I’m sure that many of you have these same fears and maybe other ones too. However, DO NOT let this deter you from studying abroad!

Whenever I told people I was going to Paris, so many people were excited for me, but there were also many naysayers that did a good job of scaring me. They would warn me that it was unsafe or say things, “oh well you know that the French hate Americans right?” I always listened to them because I had never been and some of them had been to Paris before. However, I’m going to tell you right now, do not listen to people who have never been to the country you are going! Let me inform you of a few things I’ve already learned being here:

·         In my experience here so far in Paris, not one person has been directly rude or snobbish to me. Everyone hears that the French hate Americans, and I do not believe that. People are harder to read because they are more private and they don’t smile, but most people get excited when I tell them I am from America.

·         Others told me that the French hate speaking English. That is also a stereotype. Some people recognize instantly that my accent is different and speak in English willingly and happily. If I don’t know how to say something in French I might ask in English and they have always been nice if they respond back in English.

·         As long as you act smart and responsibly, you will not get robbed (in Paris).  The only people I know of who lost their phone or had it stolen were drunk when it happened.

·         Listen to Alice! She has traveled and she knows it all. Pretty much everything she said in class has been true or has helped me out over here.

Okay, that’s all for now. I have my French midterm tomorrow. Time is flying by!! Relax, do your research, and turn in all your forms on time or early! Please ask Alice for my contact information if you would like to email me personally if you have questions about studying abroad!

Cannibal Corpse! It was my fifth time seeing them and I got to meet one of the guitarists afterwards