While preparing to go abroad for the semester, it is only natural to feel slightly anxious and nervous. Exciting nerves have been coursing through my body since the beginning of August. I have never been to Europe, even with the comforts of friends and family, so this is an entirely novel experience for me. I am going to be completely submerged into an entire new cultural environment that is extremely different and unfamiliar. Here in the States, we live to work, constantly rushing around for the next opportunity and we can miss what is right in front of at times. Rushing around and constantly thinking about what is next. Dinners last an hour, and as you are sitting at the lunch table, you are discussing what you have to do for dinner. We are constantly on the go from one appointment or errand to the next. Sit-down meals can sometimes be a luxury because of the bay schedules we have created for ourselves. An outsider’s perspective from a different culture, like France, would see this as a negative cultural aspect. The French savor the moment. They work to live. Lunch breaks can last up to 90 minutes. Quality meals with family friends are a daily occurrence in France. Food and leisure are very intertwines, so you cannot be in a rush when sitting down for lunch or dinner. Lunch is the biggest meal of the day, taking a break for a quality meal and time for yourself, and very different than America. I think this is a huge cultural difference that will significantly affect my time. But is an adjustment I look forward to. French value quality time and leisure. I am not indicating America does not, but it is not to the caliber of France. I think it is so important to appreciate the moment and savor it, and I think America has somewhat lost that value. Life can be unexpected and time is fleeting. It is so important to enjoy the things in the moment. I align with the French in this cultural aspect. Since I’ve begun preparing, I have found myself enjoying my time more and being more self-aware. I have journaled more, and taken more pictures than ever before.
