FRANCE - PARIS II

It has now been almost two months since arriving in Paris and beginning my semester at EM Normandie. In my first blog entry I shared initial impressions of the city, t university, and my fellow students. Since then, much has changed. Initially, I spent most of my time with international students and had limited contact with the French students. However, over the past few weeks, this has balanced out significantly. Now, spend a lot of time with both French and international students, making my stay even more enriching. Along with learning about their cultures, values, and perspectives, I’ve gained deeper insights into their lives. These conversations have become more meaningful, allowing me to better understand different cultures and perspectives.

Regarding the language, the transition was smoother than expected. Having studied French in school and participated in an exchange program, I already had a solid foundation. Over the past few months, I’ve become increasingly comfortable using the language. While at first, I had to focus hard to follow conversations in French, especial when locals spoke quickly or used slang I now follow most conversations without issue, whether in everyday situations or with my French friends. When they speak French among themselves, I often have no trouble keeping up and actively participating. Th said, speaking is still somewhat challenging. Although I can generally express myself well, there are times when I struggle to find the right words or form grammatical correct sentences. Nonetheless, this hasn’t posed a significant problem, as many of French friends speak English too. We often switch between the two languages, whi allows me to practice my French without feeling overwhelmed. This balance has not only improved my language skills but has also shown me that communication is more than just words it’s about making an effort to understand the other person and build connection, despite language barriers. What has been particularly interesting is how language has also opened the door to a deeper understanding of the culture.

Conversations with French students have provided insights into their views on Parisian society and culture. Paris is a city marked by many different lifestyles and background and this diversity is reflected in its people. There isn’t just one typical “Parisian” rath it’s a colorful mix of various cultures and experiences. This has fascinated me and given me a new understanding of the city. Outside of university, I’ve had many interesting Blog 2 encounters with locals. Contrary to the stereotype, many employees in shops or cafés have been open to speaking English or even German. Some shared that they had previously worked in Switzerland or Germany, which made the conversations even more engaging. These exchanges have shown me that language is not just a means of communication but also a window into people’s stories and experiences. Of course, there have been moments when my French wasn’t enough to fully engage in a conversation. In those instances, I’ve developed strategies to cope. I often use a mix French and English or rely on non verbal communication, like gestures and facial expressions. This has proven particularly useful in situations where I’ve interacted with people who don’t speak much English or French, such as some shop employees. It’s impressive to see how much can be conveyed without a shared language, simply through gestures and context. Interestingly, I’ve also noticed that many international students, especially those from South Korea, often struggle with English. At fi understanding their strong accents was challenging, but I quickly realized that communication isn’t about perfection. As long as the basic meaning is conveyed, that’s enough to hold a conversation. This was a valuable lesson, showing me that speaking isn’t about perfectly crafted sentences but about understanding the other person.

Reflecting on my language experiences in Paris, I realize I’ve learned much more th just improving my French. It has been an intercultural learning journey, where language served both as a tool and a challenge to navigate. While there is still room for improvement in terms of fluency, I’m proud of the progress I’ve made and look forwa to further improving my French. This experience has shown me that language is more than just words it’s a way to connect with people, learn from them, and share experiences. Overall, this has made my time in Paris even more rewarding.