Always Say Bonjour

Tag: study abroad

  • Let’s talk about food (Part 2)

    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. …

  • Welcome to Caen! A little bit about my home

    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…

  • French Learning Update: 3 Months In

    French Learning Update: 3 Months In

    Here I am, three months into my study abroad experience. I wrote a post after my first week about my initial experiences trying to use French in France. I hadn’t even started school yet then, so an update is definitely in order. One semester is nearly gone and already so much has changed.  To begin…