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Let’s talk about food (Part 2)
In part one of this reflection, I examined how the prospect of a tip and the differing expectations of politeness shape the contrasting restaurant experience in France and the US. Here, I will unpack the second cultural nuance that divides the two countries: our understanding of food, its value, and its place in our lives. …
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On returning home: Let’s talk about food (part 1)
Once again, I am in the United States of America, this time in the throws of reverse culture shock. How can a place feel so familiar and yet so grinding on my senses, almost repulsive at times? Rather than returning straight home to Nashville, my first week back was spent in the lovely Southwest Harbor,…
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Welcome to Caen! A little bit about my home
My home away from home during these 9 months abroad is a city called Caen. Caen lies a little ways north-west of Paris in the region of Normandy. About a 20 minute bus from the English Channel, or la Manche in French, Caen is a beautiful, mid-sized city with a rich history, a surprising number…
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Deer in the Headlights: A Short Reflexion
It is my first week in France and I feel like a deer in the headlights whenever I speak French. I thought I’d be okay with five years of study under my belt. I knew I was far from fluent, but I’d received compliments from professors and had successful conversations with native speakers in the…