So far, I’ve been loving my experience living in Paris. Having lived here last summer, returning to functioning in the city has felt very natural. Much of the culture shock I experienced over the summer- mostly with language, the formalities of the culture, and how the French balance their work and personal life- have not shocked me as much since I’ve been back. I find that I know what to expect when I experience culture here, mostly due to my previous experience.
The main experience I’ve faced while living here that has thrown me off this semester has been the prevalence of strikes, how the French adjust to the daily life disruptions, and, more importantly, how they feel about the government and how they choose to take action. Over the semester there have been a number of strikes occurring due to the President raising the retirement age from 62 to 64. While this initially seemed silly to me as an American (it’s a low age either way!), I had to research and recognize why these strikes were such a big deal to the French. I’ve read many articles about it recently that opened my eyes to the French perspective.
I also felt the school I’m attending did not explain the political situation at all, as they mostly just told students about disruptions, so I asked my French-borne professors for their insights on the situation to learn about why strikes are happening, and why this form of protest is a cultural ritual for the French. I had to break down my ideas of what is ‘worth’ fighting for as an American to better understand why the French are made and taking actions– I can no longer see these strikes as just disturbances in my day, but as an important movement for the culture here. I appreciate their movement more, although I have no plans to get involved! So, I’ve had to learn to plan my day around these protests, like the Parisians do whenever they happen. I feel immersed in a historical cultural moment in the country I’m in, and I’m glad I got to learn the French perspective on why it’s important to acknowledge the striker’s voices as well as go about my daily life.