Studying in France

Time:2011-06-02 17:43:49 Clicks:

In the early of September of 2009, I went to France to start my studying in ESC.

When I first got to Rennes, what impressed me most is that the totally different cultural environment in Rennes. Strolling in peaceful streets in Rennes, the bizarre houses, the strange people walking around me, even the fresh air and the dazzling sunlight all claim that it is another world totally different from the place where I lived in for the past twenty years. I will introduce something interesting.

About Dogs

A dog’s life in France has no difference with that in the heaven.

In my daily life animals or pets such as cats and dogs draw my attention most, not because I am really keen on them, but I am extremely afraid of them, although I do not hate them at all. Being afraid of dogs just results from the experience that I was chased by a big dog with a ferocious look one day during my childhood, and you cannot imagine how frightened a little girl would be when facing with a dog taller than her. So as following, dogs will cost most my words.

But I really agree with the idea that “dogs are friends of humans”. And in France I deeply realize this. The relationship between the dogs and the French can not be described in words. Dogs have been fully integrated into people's daily life. The people here don't treat dogs as animal, instead, the dog is a member of family. I can see people walking the dogs everywhere everyday which really makes troubles for me to choose the best path to avoid being to close to dogs, even the ties around their necks tell me that they are harmless. But for a person who is afraid of even a small and cute dog, just like me, any dog whether tied or not in front of me will hesitate my step. All kinds of people keep dogs, young or aged, man or woman, and I will not feel surprised if I see this circumstance that a person gives last piece of bread to his loved dog even when he is going to die from hungry. Dog-keepers treat their dogs better than themselves.

Making an appointment

It’s interesting to find that French people make an appointment before they do everything. They make appointments to treat someone a meal, to deal with some affairs in banks, even to go to see a doctor. Public matters need appointment, not to say private concerns. So it is so common for everyone in France to hold a memo along with them.

Appointment is really a part of French culture which I can appreciate during my 3-month life here. Before I went to consult my professor for my essay I had to send e-mail to him; before I went to the bank to apply for a bank card ,I had to notice the bank and if I want to contact the office to deal with my housing subsidies, I also have to tell them in advance. In a word, everything should be arranged beforehand, maybe the only thing unnecessary to make an appointment is going shopping, I do not have to tell the shopkeeper when I will visit his shop.

In my opinion, it`s necessary for me to get used to this way of doing things, which makes everything orderly, and will deduct troubles. But I am really confused that what if I have an emergency. We know unpredicted events happen every day, so it`s impossible for us just follow the list on our memo. It`s an art to get balance between the booked affairs and our free time to deal with unexpected things.

About Street Art

France is a country full of artistic, which not only exist in numbers of museums or places of historic interest, but also can be seen along the street.

French people are willing to go out to the streets to express themselves. So I can see all kinds of street-artists. Painting is the most common in the streets. But not all of them do this for money, although passer-bys are often not misers in this event. Some of the artists do this just for their own enthusiasm on art. Colors, music, human statues, or some kinds of Performance. Art compose a special scenery along the streets in France.

I do love street culture. I have a unique taste in the extraordinary things. They bring me enjoyment.
Something interesting cannot be described in this short paper, and I really cannot get the point of it because I have just stay no more than one year in this charming country. Wines, cheeses, perfume fashion and many other annotations of the real French culture are still mysterious for me.

Compared with these attractive things above, studying here is less attractive. Because it is very hard and full of pressure. There are many kinds of group discussion and presentation. You have to make full use of time to arrange them well .However, if you are lucky enough to overcome, you will benefit from it. At least, you know some words such as strength of will, effort, dream and so on.

Studying in France, for me, is a precious memory and experience.

2006级国际商务2班 李亚男