Student Spotlight: Adriana Sneed in France

What’s one challenge you’ve already encountered? How are you navigating it so far?

“One challenge I have encountered is communicating properly within the language. I have had issues at grocery stores where I struggled to explain an issue. I am navigating it by using translate to figure out a word then still talking to them. This is helping me consistently learn new phrases and words everyday. I practice and write down these phrases so I can return to them later. This has made connecting with locals a little harder, but I remain committed to making these connections.”

What differences (or unexpected similarities) have you noticed between your culture and your host culture?

“The differences I have noticed are mannerisms between Americans and French people. When I pass by people on the street I often smile at them and they do not smile back. Also they are more closed off, in America I could approach a random person and start a conversation. Here that is not very common. Also saying things like excuse me when you bump into someone or you know like people standing very close to me in line. I have also noticed differences in dining as food is served very slowly and waiters are not very attentive. I have also noticed how France is way more walkable and people walk a ton here. There is also more emphasis on public transportation. I have noticed similarities in the emphasis on food as there are so many different restaurants.”

Have you stepped outside of your comfort zone yet? What did that feel like?

“I have stepped outside my comfort zones by ordering and speaking completely in French. It feels uncomfortable, embarrassing, and very nerve inducing as I often feel as if I am saying things wrong. However, they always understand what I say which reassures me that I am making progress. It also makes me happy to see how much I have learned over the course of the last 4 days.”