Reflecting on Experience

     Studying abroad as an American has made me more aware of many different things, including myself as well as my values. A lot of people that I have in France met have been very interested to hear my point of view and why I think the way I do—whether they agree or not. It has been an interesting experience living life abroad as an American while meeting people from France, Japan, China, Syria, Canada, and 30 other countries in the world.

     So far on my journey here in France, no one has questioned my intentions of everyday tasks as well as being in this country. A small example would be that I walked into stores and kept my backpack on for the first week I was here, not realizing that nearly everyone takes off their larger bags in order to be polite to the store owners. I was lucky that no one had said anything until my French friend advised me to take it off from then on. I didn’t realize how I might have looked to the locals, but I certainly didn’t mean to be rude. But again, no one had questioned what I was doing in the store or in the country in general, as far as I know.
     To be quite honest, not many people realize that I am from the United States. A lot of the people I have met could not pinpoint my accent when I speak French. Some people actually thought that I am French or at least from some other European country. The friends I have made that were born in France are very interested in my situation of studying abroad. The opinion I have heard the most from them is that they are very impressed that I could live in a country that isn't my native country for almost half a year. They also like to talk to me about American pop culture, which I do not really pay attention to, so a lot of my French friends know more about my own country's pop culture than I do. I think that it is pretty interesting that the youth in France sometimes embrace my culture more than I do.

Myself and two other international students

     One of the main privileges I have discovered to have during my stay in France is the fact that I have become more aware of other cultures and ways of life. Since high school, I have been taught that globalization—the economic, financial, trade, and communication’s worldwide integration—is now how the world “works.” While studying in another country with other international students from all over the world, I have learned to successfully work with anyone, no matter what the differences between us may be. For some years now, almost any job in this world requires one to do just that. The common denominator in my situation is the French language, which we all have a passion for. I now have connections and friends from all over the world and I consider myself extremely lucky.


McIntosh, Peggy. "White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack." (1988): n. pag. Web. 12 Mar. 2015.