I am takeing french in highschool, and i am very interested in studying abroad. I want to go to Paris so bad i cant stand it! but i heard that it costs alot to live there. If anybody has ever been there then i would like to know what the culture is like and how a fluent french speaking american can fit in there. what can you do to fit in there and fake like you were a french born person?? anybody been there and any thing you want ot say i would love to hear it.
2007-03-20 16:27:22 · 6 answers · asked by plastic.hearts.&&.paper.smiles 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Other - Society & Culture
Hi, I'm French and have been living in Paris for the last 5 years. There is a great deal of foreign students there, and all French universities have a special department to help foreign students with enrollment, accomodation, social security and such. Fees very from one university to the other, but I do not think I can be wrong saying that they are cheaper than in the US. You can expect to pay between 500 € and a maximum of 1500 € / year.
Finding an appartment is quite a difficult thing in Paris. You have to be fast, available and ready to provide the landlord/ real estate with plenty of garantees (usually, proofs of salary from both parents, tax income, proof that the parents own their house, two-months deposit). Prices vary according to the "arrondissements" (roughly districts) and size. Expect between 450 to 600 € / month for a studio (15m²). Many students choose to share a flat. But again, there is plenty of applicants for one single bedroom.
Like in all big cities, it is easy to find activities that interest you. If you plan on going to uni, you will more than likely make some friends over there. Students parties in bars are usually on Thursday, but if you go to one or two, you can consider to have seen them all. The best is to walk through the city and to find your own favourite spots. After 5 years, I'm still discovering some parts of Paris.
I do no think that it is necessary to pretend that you are a French born. First, because you are not, and there is no way to fake it. Your accent will betray you at once, not to mention that there is probably plenty of pop-culture references that you can't understand, since you have not grown up in the country (I'm thinking about shitty popular songs, famous jokes, TV stuffs - the kind of things you can share with any fellow citizen of your age but which make no sense really to foreigners) Second, it appears that Parisians love foreigners. Expect people to try their English with you. ;-)
For now, if I understand correctly, you have just started highschool. There is time left before really planing a stay abroad. However I would strongly suggest you to try to come in Paris during the summer. You can even enroll for a one-month French course with the "Alliance Française". That would be the easiest way to feel the city by yourself.
I hope that my answer has given you some hints.
2007-03-21 04:16:01 · answer #1 · answered by Lilite 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well...depending on your field of study, I think it wouldn't be a bad idea for you to experience the european lifestyle. The culture is completely different than the north american one though...i find that people are more relaxed, warm...They are also very socialist and not in favor of the US international politics. And I would like to add that Paris is really a cliché...there are so many more beautiful cities in France: Montpellier, Nice, Marseille, St-Tropez, Cannes, etc. As fort the cost of living...my 1 bedroom apt. in downtown Toronto is about 860$ in US currency and Paris is about the same. And why would you want to fake that you're French? They'll find out...you're gonna have an accent, not the same expressions, not the same culture and you'll have a NASCAR flag by way of blinds. :P
2007-03-20 17:05:39 · answer #2 · answered by Eleanor Rigby 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You have some crazy ideas. A lot of people study abroad in France during college. As far as fitting in, you would have to live there for more than a semester to speak fluently. If you can speak French, you can probably fit in ok, but I certainly wouldn't suggest lying to people there. Its just like any other major city in terms of cost....expensive....just like NYC, LA, or Chicago. You can live outside of the city for a more reasonable price.
2007-03-20 17:07:11 · answer #3 · answered by Rebbew 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No amount of schooling can prepare u for the language, u think ur going prepared but in reality u hav know idea. I thought the same before i came to chile. After 7 months here i can understand everything, but i still have alot of problems with my grammar in spanish, there is no way ul ever be able to fake like ur french becuase of ur accent though.
2007-03-20 17:48:21 · answer #4 · answered by The quiet one 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just watch out when driving! That's all I have to say!
Bonne Chance!
Comment ca va? :)
2007-03-21 09:38:27 · answer #5 · answered by ♥ღ♥kαчlα♥ღ♥ 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If I were you, I would master English grammar and spelling before you attempt to "fake" your origin and live in another country.
2007-03-20 16:32:28 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋