Semi-Charmed Life

My first attempt as a French teacher: Repeat after me, "le choc culturelle". Qu'est ce que c'est? No, not some bourgeois french saying that I learned this past week in my grammar class. Rather, it's a simple term frequently used among travelers, whether they be professionals, students, adults, or adolescents, that when translated back to English simply means "culture shock". All of us have seen this expression before and all of us know what it means, and as told to me by the staff of Academic Programs International, culture shock affects different individuals in different ways, as well as at different times during their study abroad experience whether it be at the beginning, at the end, or somewhere in between. Furthermore, this sense of emotional shock can be categorized into different phases that can generate an array of different emotions ranging anywhere from extreme joy, to discontent, confusion, helplessness, etc...you get the idea.

Missing family

Anyway, what does all of this nonsense have to do with me and my time here in Paris? Well everyone to put it simply, I've been hit by culture shock, and I've been hit hard. Not only this, but while I tried to ready myself for the negative effects of said scenario, no amount of preparation could have braced me for the emotions I encountered over the past 10 days or so. To spare you unnecessary and lengthy details, lately Paris has not been living up to the bar of expectations I had set during the time leading up to my departure, something that while you are told never to do before studying abroad, it's almost nearly impossible not to. After hearing detailed accounts of others' amazing experiences abroad I couldn't help but fantasize about a glorious 4 months in a glamorous metropolis with travels on the side to some of the most beautiful and culturally rich places in Europe, an experience that I could share with others for the rest of my life. This unrealistic dream, however, was short-lived upon my arrival to Paris, a city that even with its re-known reputation as a beautiful, high fashion, historically rich capital, is still an absurdly large, nearly unmanageable metro area densely populated by the sometimes the less than hospitable French.

Missing friends

Atop the geographical differences, the factors associated with being in a foreign country that also accompany this journey have also added to the stress of culture shock. From the language barrier, to the nonchalant approach to hygiene, to the supplier oriented economy that stereotypes the French culture, countless aspects of life here have brought upon me a feeling a homesickness unlike any other, making the charming, southern way of life I grew up with seem like the soul solution to all my problems here in France. I say "yall" whenever I can, I bring out the drawl whenever I talk to my parents, and I certainly wish everyday to be in a place as warm and sunny as I believe Augusta, GA or Charleston, SC to be at the very moment I see the forecast to be another overcast, cold, and dreary Parisian day. Let me go ahead and say it: I MISS THE SOUTH (and all the family, friends, sunshine, food, etc. that came with it).

Missing school

There you have it, I not only admitted, but published my longing to be back home in my comfort zone. BUT, now that I have sufficiently bitched enough about my experience abroad so far, it's now time to practice being an optimist and turn this situation around. Yes, I have been frustrated with the weather, the cleanliness and weird toilets of France, the rudeness of the people on the metro, the challenge of going on a simple run in the city, and countless other things. However, I have realized that while I feel helpless, stressed, and sad, there is still nothing I can do about any of these things that are bringing me down. Rather, I can only accept them for what they are and adapt to this new environment that I have been presented with. My experience thus far has not yet been what I envisioned by any means, but it still remains what studying abroad is all about: a LEARNING experience that challenges one to open their mind to new perspectives of the world. Whether or not I will have embraced Paris and all its glory by the end of these next 3 months it is hard to tell (although, I am hoping for an absolute yes), but one thing I know is still for certain: that this experience will help me to learn more about myself than any other I have had thus far in my 20 years, and that I will always be appreciative of no matter what.

Missing home

P.S. Don't worry, a much less morbid/annoying post is on its way..sorry for getting homesick!