Vera chose to study in France

Vera from Sweden is on exchange to France.

Bonjour! My name is Vera and I am currently in the middle of my exchange year in France and will be staying here for another 6 months. I wanted to go to France to learn French, to develop as a person and to experience something completely different from what I am used to! And now I thought I would share a little about how it has been so far 😊

My host family

So, I remember the first time I was going to meet my host family, which consists of a mother, a father and two brothers my age, at the train station. I was very nervous, but I immediately got a big hug from the mother and the brothers had a Swedish flag that they waved, haha. I wondered a lot about how my relationship with them would develop, as I couldn't speak the language at all, but now, after six months, we have surprisingly become quite close. They were very welcoming, and I have realised that there are more ways to express your personality than just through language. In the beginning, and sometimes still, it can feel a little strange or uncomfortable to live with a foreign family when you don't know how to adapt to their everyday life, which is very different from your own, but it gets better and better. I am now four months in and I regularly practise yoga with the mother, drink tea and chat with the parents every day, play volleyball and FIFA with the sons, and even travel to and from school with them.

Getting to know the rest of the family has also been fantastic, as I have been incredibly surrounded by French culture, French food and warm, friendly French people. It has been especially cool to get to know my grandparents; I have never been close to my own, but with these I feel like their real grandchild!

Friends

Making friends has been very up and down for me. Not speaking the language makes it difficult to connect with French people. One day, for example, I might come home from school with a smile on my face because I had such a good time with a friend, and the next day it might feel more difficult and lonely. And don't count on being able to speak English with them… English-speaking French people are quite rare. On the other hand, there are other exchange students at the school who I get on really well with, and it's always reassuring to be with them. They're going through the same thing as me, so we have lots of inside jokes about our experiences. Now during the holidays, I've also learned a lot of French, so it will be exciting to see how I can use my new language skills at school, both in class and with friends.

My free time

As I said, it takes some effort to build a life both in and outside of school, but it's also fun because the worst you can get is a no, and you have nothing to lose! Just yesterday, for example, I went to a French New Year's party with my girl friend where we met new friends, tomorrow I'm going to play basketball with friends from my boxing club, and the day after that I'm going to the trampoline park with a friend from school! During Christmas, I also went to Paris with my host family, which was magical. On the other hand, there will be several days and weekends where you have absolutely nothing to do, which can feel very lonely, but then it's important to take care of yourself and be kind to yourself, because it's normal to feel that way!

Tips

1. My tip for anyone going on an exchange year would be: don't wait for an invitation to hangouts, take the initiative and invite yourself! It sounds so awkward, I know, but it works!
2. Don't be afraid to make mistakes with the language, because it's better to make mistakes than not to say anything at all. And you learn so much.
3. Document your experiences from time to time! It's always fun to look back at what you've photographed, filmed or written in your diary.
4. Last but not least: trust the process! Things will only get better and better, even if it's hard to believe when you're homesick or going through a rough patch.

I want to end by saying that despite the difficulties and challenges, I have learned so much and I am very grateful for this experience and what I have gained from it. Now that I have learned the language better, can communicate better and know a lot more people, I am really looking forward to what the rest of this year in France has to offer!

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Emma went on exchange to France

Emma from Austria spent her exchange in France.

My host family

I was lucky to stay with a really nice host family. My host parents were both still young, in their 30s, and my host brother was 7 years old. I got on really well with my brother and we played together. Whether it was board games, football, painting together or long walks. I was welcomed into their family with open arms and I quickly felt at home. The extended family also welcomed me warmly and I attended two family celebrations and even stayed overnight with my grandparents once. I also got on really well with my little cousin and we still keep in close contact.

School life

I must say that I was a little nervous at first because I thought French school days would be extremely long and strict, but it was actually the complete opposite. My schedule was relatively short, and the teachers were considerate of me, or I simply occupied myself with my own things. School was where I made most of my friends. I always enjoyed having lunch together in the school canteen, even if it wasn't always the best. The lessons flew by, and I even gave a presentation once. Fortunately, I only had to take tests in a few subjects because I didn't stay that long.

My free time

After school, I often went into town and sat in a café to read or strolled through the shops. I also often met up with friends or did things with my host family. I also joined a volleyball club. That was the best decision ever. I always had the best time there. The girls were super nice and it was always great fun. I would recommend everyone to find a hobby during their exchange.

Excursions

My host family took me on lots of trips and showed me some parts of Normandy. For example, on my first weekend we went to Mont Saint Michel and Étretat, among other places. During the autumn holidays, I travelled to Paris with STS, where I made lots of new friends and went on some fun trips. My host family then came to visit me in Paris and we spent the rest of the week sightseeing together.

My farewell

Unfortunately, I had to go back after the autumn holidays. I spent my second-to-last evening, Halloween, with friends watching a relaxing film and playing games. My last day was spent with my entire extended family so that I could say goodbye to everyone. After everyone had left, I spent a fun and emotional evening with my host family before they took me to the airport the next day.

My experience

I would encourage anyone who is considering doing an exchange to go for it. My exchange – even though it wasn't particularly long – had a huge impact on me and I grew a lot. I met so many great people during my two months in France and immersed myself in a whole new culture. It was fantastic. If I could, I would still be there or experience it all over again.

Be brave. It's okay to be afraid, the important thing is to do it anyway!

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Noelle on exchange in France, joined a trip to Montpellier

During my last few weeks as an exchange student in France, I had the opportunity to join students from around the world on an excursion to Montpellier on the French Riviera.

Day 1

We arrived in Montpellier in the morning, the warm southern sun beaming down on us as we stepped off the train. We were to stay at the quaint hostel Le Maje, located in the heart of the city in a stunning, white, miniature Hausmann-style building. After dropping off our luggage, we grabbed some fresh sandwiches from a nearby boulangerie. The smell of traditional French cuisine and the lively bustling of the streets welcomed us. We were given some free time to meander around in the local shops, maybe enjoy a sorbet, and get acquainted with the other exchange students participating in this séjour. We were 17 students, so it was an intimate group where everyone could get to know each other.

We assembled in Place de la Comédie, in the heart of Montpellier, where we separated into groups of four or five, each with a different creative name. Then we were off to the races. We embarked on a rally through the town, with elusive clues and an enigmatic map to guide us. Despite getting lost once or twice, the rally was a great opportunity for us to wander through the city and discover all its narrow streets, hidden squares, and charming cafés and restaurants. When the time limit for the rally was up, we made our way to a cozy, artisanal restaurant with classic French cuisine like tartiflette and crème brûlée on the menu.

Since there were students from all around the world, our conversations were fascinating and largely culture oriented. Over our delicious meal, I learned about the haka dance performed at every school game in New Zealand, Hungarian kakashere pörkölt (rooster testicle stew), Egyptian superstition that spilling coffee is a sign of future prosperity, and the Swiss tradition of beheading poultry with a saber on St Martin’s Day.

To end the night, we went to a quiz venue with large scoreboards and bright yellow buzzers. There we tested our knowledge of French and international music, ranging from the 1950s to today. The competition was fierce, so we made sure to take our pictures beforehand, while everyone was still smiling. It was all good fun.

Tired after the eventful day, we quickly fell asleep, excited about the adventures the next day would bring.

Day 2

After enjoying a very French breakfast, consisting of croissants, brioche buns with Nutella, and orange juice, we left our hostel and walked through balmy Montpellier to the famous Musée Fabre. There, we explored L'Hôtel Cabrières – Sabatier d’Espeyran, a jewel of the decorative arts of the 18th and 19th century that allows the viewer to seep in the atmosphere and retrace the lifestyle of the aristocrats living in said époque, as well as the works of renowned European artists such as Allori, Véronèse, Ribera, Bazille, Reynolds, and Pierre Soulages.

After the museum visit, we made our way to the airy Peyrou park, crossing the royal square and passing the imposing statue of Louis XIV to find some shade underneath the trees. We sat down to eat a baguette picnic and chat. A Mexican student told me about her quinceañera while a German detailed how Oktoberfest is celebrated in her town. An Italian divulged the secret recipe for perfect pizza. A Finnish student practiced her Swedish with me as she was worried about having forgotten everything ahead of the next school year. Then, the winners of yesterday’s rally were announced and the various prizes distributed.

In the early afternoon, we set off for the beach on rental bikes. The bike ride was long and flat, and we were all of varying biking ability, but we eventually reached Palavas-Les-Flots. Relieved, we took a dip in the Mediterranean and enjoyed the late afternoon sprawled out on the sand.

Dinner was served in a beautiful restaurant right on the beach. Again, we were presented with all the French culinary favorites, such as moules marinières and brioche perdue. As it was one student’s birthday, we all sang happy birthday in our native languages. It was a chaotic but joyful tune.

We spent hours talking and enjoying various dishes before migrating onto the beach once again to watch the breathtaking sunset. This had been one amazing stay in the memorable city of Montpellier.

Read the whole story about Noelle's exchange in France

Noelle studied on high school in France

Swedish-Canadian Noelle is on exchange in France and she is one of our guest bloggers. 

#1 In Sweden, before takeoff

My adventure started this summer at 2 am on a chilly morning in Sweden. As the regional train slowly approached Arlanda, I couldn't help but have butterflies. Where would I end up and what would the lifestyle and interests of the family be? To live on a farm in the rural countryside of France is naturally quite different from living in an apartment in downtown Paris. What would school be like? In France, you usually go to school six days a week. Subjects like Philosophy and Moral Education are mandatory, and obviously, all in French. Quite a step up from ordering a Croque Monsieur at a café. Would I be able to keep up?

All of STS’s preparation emails, and my mom’s mini-speeches, about how life-changing a cultural exchange would be had suddenly caught up with me. Summer was like a rug under my feet that had abruptly been swept away. I wasn’t going to France in a year, a month, or even a week. I was going now.

My life was packed into a suitcase weighing slightly over 23 kg. I had said all my goodbyes, and now I was at my gate, sipping my last Swedish coffee somewhat ruefully. I approached two other Swedish STS exchange students, identifiable by their bright yellow backpacks that we were given at a preparation meeting a few months previous. We chatted nervously. What was it going to be like? Would our language skills be good enough to communicate with our host families? Do all French people smoke a pack of cigarettes a day, wear red berets, and grow handlebar mustaches?

#2 Welcome camp in Paris

As we touched down on French soil, I tried to label this foreign place with the word “home”. It didn’t ring true yet, but maybe in a few months, it would. I grappled with the fact that this was neither a trip nor an extended vacation – I was here to build a new life… in French.

When we arrived, we were treated to a welcome camp that provided us with a soft landing. Students from everywhere were present – from Japan to Brazil, Mexico to Poland, Bulgaria to Singapore, and the US to Australia. My roommate was a friendly Mexican girl who helped translate Bad Bunny’s songs for me, while letting me try her exotic candy, ranging from discs of sugary peanuts to long, red tubes filled with pineapple jelly coated with tamarind and chili powder.

For three days we explored Paris and dipped our toes into French life. We survived on baguettes and pastries, ogled at the Eiffel Tower, saw the Mona Lisa (or should I say, La Joconde, as the locals do) in the gorgeous glass pyramid which is the Louvre, discovered cool eccentricities at the Grevin museum, and inevitably got lost on the metro. We roamed around the gorgeous Montmartre area, holding our purses close from pickpockets as we scaled the white-domed Basilica of the Sacré-Cœur on its summit, admiring the lively markets with street vendors selling souvenirs and art, slant-roofed cafes, and various other colorful sights.

I wandered with a group of five other exchange students. We had walked all day and the last hike up the hill to Montmatre in the heat wave had done us in, so we searched for a cozy spot to sit down. We eventually set our sights on a cute cafe with a striped blue-and-white awning and an inviting outdoor seating area that stretched out onto the narrow cobblestone streets. Some considerable time passed after taking a seat, and still no server had come, so one of the girls got up to grab some of the menus at the entrance, as is custom where she is from. While walking back to the table, a deeply offended waiter intercepted her path, judgingly looked her up and down and then shoved his serving tray and dish cloth into her arms, as if to say ‘you want my job, do you?’. He didn’t take the serving tray back, so she awkwardly put it down on a nearby table and apologized profusely. The server didn’t laugh, but told us a few minutes later (when she wouldn’t stop blushing and apologizing) that it was a blague (joke). That was our introduction to the notorious French irony. They say that understanding humour is one of the last things to come with mastering a new language, and I must say that while I still haven’t grasped the joke, my new friends and I could eventually laugh about it.

That night we took a dinner cruise on the Seine, enjoying a delicious three-course meal while experiencing the beauty of Paris from the water. We passed lovers kissing, friends having picnics with a glass of wine, childrens’ birthday parties, Salsa and hip hop dance classes, gorgeous architecture, and famous bridges and other locations mentioned in many of the books I had read or films I had watched. The romantic views from the Seine culminated in a perfect view of the Eiffel Tower, lit up against the night sky, bathed in the colors of the Ukrainian (and Swedish) flag. From the top of the boat we waved at passersby, while the summer wind flowed through our hair. The rude waiter was forgiven. A new chapter had begun.

#3 Learning how to kiss, or do “la bise” – an essential part to learn when adjusting to life in France.

This happened early in my exchange…. Strangers in swim trunks and bikinis lean in to kiss me. I am very uncomfortable. It is one of my first weekends with my French host family and we’re attending a pool party. La bise, the classic French greeting, is a science in and of itself. In its basic form, a person gently bumps cheeks with another person while making a kissing sound (basically like an air kiss). However, the exact procedure depends on the person and region in which la bise is performed. Some don’t make the kissing sound. Some actually kiss the other person’s cheeks. Some do it once, others twice, others three times. In most parts of France, the right cheek is first, but in the South-East it’s the left cheek first. This knowledge is all very essential to avoid the bunglingness of when one person swerves right and the other left, making for an almost real, lips-to-lips kiss. Despite having been instructed on all of this, I am at a complete loss when these half-naked strangers approach for what seems to me a much too intimate greeting. Luckily, we have just arrived at the pool, and I am still fully clothed. I blush at the mere thought of having to do this donning a bikini.

#4 My placement in France

As an exchange student on the Classic Program, one never knows exactly where in the host country one will end up. I was placed in Poissy, a calm little town on the outskirts of Paris, in a comfortable white house with a red gate and a garden with chickens. I live with a caring family with three teenage children, two of whom live in their own apartments during the week but return home on weekends. It’s a double placement, meaning that another exchange student, Alicia from the German part of Switzerland, is also living with the family. We’re roommates, providing friendship and support as we both adjust to the rhythms of French life.

Poissy turned out to be the ideal location – only 30 minutes by train to the heart of Paris, but still far enough to sleep surrounded by quiet streets and the luxury of a horse nearby whenever we feel like going for a ride in the forest. On weekends, I like to head to Paris with friends as often as possible. One particularly memorable visit took place during Paris Fashion Week in early October. While my friend and I didn’t have tickets to any fashion shows, there were people donning outrageous outfits everywhere and we even spotted a couple of celebrities just wandering around town.

#5 Some cultural chock moments on exchange in France

Despite a great placement and plenty of warnings, the extent of the cultural shock I experienced initially took me by surprise. I’ve had to get accustomed to seemingly unreasonable mealtimes (like dinner at 10 pm), school days from 8 am to 6 pm, small manual cars, and an entirely new way of dressing, to name a few. However, as my host family keeps reminding me, there is an IKEA not too far away if I ever get too homesick.

In Sweden, we call teachers by their first names as they are seen as the student’s equal. Here in France, I call my teachers by Monsieur or Madame followed by their last name. While that is nothing new for North Americans, what surprised me is that the teachers use the polite vous form with students as well, stressing the distance between the teacher and student. Most French teachers are pretty strict, but the friendly and supportive students at my high school make up for it. Once in my philosophy class, I had to read a very complex text out loud, and I stumbled over the passage with dubious pronunciation. When I finally reached the end, the teacher asked me to explain the passage to the class. When I had finished speaking, the class burst out in applause. The support of my classmates really lifts my spirits.

While tough at times, I would encourage any teenager who has the opportunity to take part in a student exchange. For me, it has been a very empowering feeling to learn that I can start afresh in a new country, at a new school, and in a new language, and still be able to build a good life for myself from scratch in a fairly short time. And if I can do it, so can you!

#6 Learning French and trying new things

My French is actually progressing at a rapid pace. I’m adopting some of my favorite argot (slang) from my peers and learning how to better express myself like a native in this foreign tongue. However, as my host family jokes, I will only ever master impeccable French accents and pronunciation once I learn to enjoy eating moldy cheese, a distaste for which I have yet to overcome.

In this new life, I venture to try things I have never tried before. My host family is very involved with scouts and the MEJ (a Catholic organization for children), so now I’ve become involved too. I’ve started playing volleyball and have made good friends there. My host mom and Alicia play a lot of tennis, so I try to play tennis as well (despite mediocre hand-eye coordination). As a general rule, I have tried to abandon old conceptions of ‘I like this’ or ‘I don’t like this’, and I challenge myself to say yes to every opportunity and give everything a try just to see how it goes. So far, it has been going well.

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