As my time in France is coming to an end (countdown: 5 days), I've been compiling a mental list of things I will miss about the country and its culture. After four months of living in Angers, I have become fairly accustomed to the French lifestyle and will definitely miss some of their traditions and day-to-day habits. That being said, this post is a "part 1" for a reason; there are a fair amount of items on my list of "things I will not miss," but let's start with the positives.
1. Cheese. Whether it's camembert, chèvre, brie or blue, I could eat it all day, every day. Especially when it costs under 2 euro.
2. Bread - because a baguette a day keeps the doctor away (if only).
3. Wine, in large quantities at basically any time of the day.
4. The country-wide lunch break from 12-2 p.m.
5. CIDEF, our international program at the university (mainly because the homework load is nonexistent).
6. Public transportation. I have become a master at taking the tramway, minding the metro and bumming a ride from the buses thanks to the ease of European public transport.
7. PARIS.
8. "Les vacances": the amount of time off from work French people get is absurd. Like, they literally never work.
9. The 4 p.m. "gouter" (snacktime). Every café is full from 3-5 p.m. with people enjoying a pick-me-up: anything from coffee to Coke to a glass of whiskey.
10. French fashion. Girls and guys alike dress like they're walking down the runway. While I appreciate the cultural acceptance in the States of wearing Nike shorts and bro tanks out every day, I do enjoy seeing well-dressed men and women around town. Why not look your best whenever possible?
11. Montpellier - beach, young people, great food and stellar nightlife. Every college kid's dream.
12. Pain au chocolat, pain au raisin, croissants, croissant aux amandes, croissant aux chocolat et amande, crêpes, nutella . . . you get the point.
13. Green living - the French are very eco-conscious, especially when it comes to water and electricity . Even if it's just because their utilities cost so much, they really know how to cut back. Americans, take note.
14. Free health care.
15. Last but not least, the people. My host family has been wonderful, especially when it comes to immersing into the French culture. Three delicious dinners a week (probably the best food I've had since being here), lively conversation, safety and comfort - I was able to feel at home from the start. To all the other French people I've met, thank you for making my time here so memorable! As much as I learned in the classroom, the real learning comes from the locals.
As sad as I am that my time here has come to an end, I know that French is something I can keep with me for the rest of my life. Learning a new language opens so many doors; not to mention it gives me an excuse to revisit this country I have grown to love.
Merci, mes amis, et à bientôt!
1. Cheese. Whether it's camembert, chèvre, brie or blue, I could eat it all day, every day. Especially when it costs under 2 euro.
2. Bread - because a baguette a day keeps the doctor away (if only).
3. Wine, in large quantities at basically any time of the day.
4. The country-wide lunch break from 12-2 p.m.
5. CIDEF, our international program at the university (mainly because the homework load is nonexistent).
6. Public transportation. I have become a master at taking the tramway, minding the metro and bumming a ride from the buses thanks to the ease of European public transport.
7. PARIS.
8. "Les vacances": the amount of time off from work French people get is absurd. Like, they literally never work.
9. The 4 p.m. "gouter" (snacktime). Every café is full from 3-5 p.m. with people enjoying a pick-me-up: anything from coffee to Coke to a glass of whiskey.
10. French fashion. Girls and guys alike dress like they're walking down the runway. While I appreciate the cultural acceptance in the States of wearing Nike shorts and bro tanks out every day, I do enjoy seeing well-dressed men and women around town. Why not look your best whenever possible?
11. Montpellier - beach, young people, great food and stellar nightlife. Every college kid's dream.
12. Pain au chocolat, pain au raisin, croissants, croissant aux amandes, croissant aux chocolat et amande, crêpes, nutella . . . you get the point.
13. Green living - the French are very eco-conscious, especially when it comes to water and electricity . Even if it's just because their utilities cost so much, they really know how to cut back. Americans, take note.
14. Free health care.
15. Last but not least, the people. My host family has been wonderful, especially when it comes to immersing into the French culture. Three delicious dinners a week (probably the best food I've had since being here), lively conversation, safety and comfort - I was able to feel at home from the start. To all the other French people I've met, thank you for making my time here so memorable! As much as I learned in the classroom, the real learning comes from the locals.
As sad as I am that my time here has come to an end, I know that French is something I can keep with me for the rest of my life. Learning a new language opens so many doors; not to mention it gives me an excuse to revisit this country I have grown to love.
Merci, mes amis, et à bientôt!