stick-men get culture shock too

April 27th, 2009

My crappy stickfigure drawing of what happens when you get culture shock and start feeling a bit homesick (thanks to my amazing drawing skills in Microsoft Paint - ha).

I’ve been reading a book Culture Shock: France about how this cycle is completely natural and can happen many times to us all, in varying intensity, over varying periods of time. The beginning of a cultural transition.

I am feeling a little weary about France because in all of my travels over the past year in Europe, I have been living in Scotland (where English is obviously first language) and just passing through places rather than actually living there, so knowing the very basics was enough. But when I move to France, this will be my first time living in a foreign country. And it’s kinda scary.

It’s been interesting reading through various blogs of other expats living in France and their experiences. Some good experiences, some bad experiences, some awful. But it is a challenge I have to do, even if i do feel like the stickman in the middle sometimes.

homesick

Categories: europe travels · france · french language


3 Comments

  1. Kim said

    April 27, 2009 at 6:51 pm

    Another really good book to read is “Almost French” by Sarah Turnbull. I’m not sure if you have heard about it or not but its about an Australian girl who moved to Paris to live with her Frenchman and its really really good. So many things she said I could really relate to. I never read much about France before I came to France and only found these books and blogs after being her for 1 year… it was only then when I could say “hold on, it isn’t just me! Its perfectly normal for me to experience these things, its just the way the french are or how we are.” I guess also because this girl was Australian its easier for me to relate to as a NZer. I was so surprised how incredibly different living in France was than what I ever thought it would be. Its not bad at all, just different and it takes time to get used to. I’ve established my relationships in English so unfortunately this is my downfall. Establish your relationships in French if you can, even if your French is terrible, its definitely the best way to learn! Bon courage!!

  2. Jennie said

    April 28, 2009 at 9:20 pm

    It’s taken me a while to get used to living in France, and even though I still have some culture shock, it only gets easier with time. The homesickness never really goes away, but the acceptance with a new life in a new country comes gradually. I don’t regret leaving the US, and don’t really want to go back there, but I know France is not my ideal country. But I stay here for my boyfriend and for the language and because I hope there is a place in France for me. I just know it’s not the damn Alps because I hate living so close to mountains!

  3. admin said

    April 29, 2009 at 10:09 am

    Thanks for the advice Kim - funnily enough I just bought the book recently and I can’t put it down. I read things that she writes about her Frenchman and it reminds me of small things that the Frenchboy does. Hilarious.

    And Jennie, that is so true. I felt the same while living overseas. The language barrier is a biggie for me, and I feel like I almost gave up last time in France and let the language overpower me.

    Im determined this time!

    Fingers crossed!

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