CULTURAL EXPERIENCE IN

FRANCE

Submitted To – Prof: Arsene Lancien

Submitted By,
Meena Jalaja
ETU20192456
 CULTURAL EXPERIENCE IN FRANCE

French traditions and culture hold a special fascination for foreigners. Certain
elements of the culture are world-famous, such as the deep regard the French
have for excellent food and wine. While participating in a homestay program
in France, I started to notice quite a few small cultural differences between
my Indian culture and my host family’s French culture. France is a country of
65 million people.
The country is multi-ethnic and multicultural, but it’s illegal to keep statistics
on different ethnicities, so the actual percentage of the population each group
comprises is unknown. It’s estimated that 83%-88% of the population is
Catholic, 2% Protestant, 5%-10% Muslim, 1% Jewish, 1% Buddhist, and less
than 1% Sikh. Ethnic groups include: Bretons, Basques, North Africans,
Africans, Eastern Europeans, Southeast Asians, and more. France’s official
name is “The Republic of France”.
French people are really friendly and helpful, they used to help others and
consider others feeling also. They actually care about others and wants
to make them feel comfortable. They used to wish everyone even if they are
completely unaware of that person. Actually, now I also started to wish others
like French people. The college as well as teachers are also really friendly and
they allow as do every activity according to our schedule. They are more
flexible and always tries to take special attention to make us stress free. We
can speak out to them openly. Unlike India we are permitted to have food
inside classrooms. In fact, I could able to experience a huge culture difference
between India and France.
Fooding culture to the way they built there dwelling was also entirely different
from my culture. Lunch is the biggest meal of the day by far. When I had
lunch at the university, I always got a giant meal, often a meat or pasta dish
with at least two side dishes. Then you’d get a choice of cheese, fruit, or
yogurt, a dessert, and always bread. Food and wine are central to life at all
socioeconomic levels, and much socializing is done around lengthy dinners.
While cooking styles have changed to emphasize lighter fare, many still
associate French cooking with heavy sauces and complicated preparation.
Some classic French dishes include boeuf bourguignon — a stew made of beef
braised in red wine, beef broth and seasoned with garlic, onions and
mushrooms — and coq au vin, a dish made with chicken, Burgundy wine,
lardons (small strips or cubes of pork fat), button mushrooms, onions and
optional garlic.
French believe in égalité, which means equality, and is part of the country's
motto: "Liberty, Égalité, Fraternity." Many say they place a higher importance
on equality than liberty and fraternity, the other two words in the motto.
Art is everywhere in France particularly in Paris and other major cities and
Gothic, Romanesque Rococo and Neoclassic influences can be seen in many
churches and other public buildings. Many of history's most renowned artists,
including Claude Monet, Edgar Degas, and Camille Pissarro, sought
inspiration in Paris, and they gave rise to the Impressionism movement.
The Louvre Museum in Paris is among the world's largest museums and is
home to many famous works of art, including the Mona Lisa and Venus de
Milo.

Healthcare in France is also partially funded by the government and the patient
also pays a small contribution to their healthcare costs. State health
insurance covers between 70-100% of costs for things such as doctor visits
and hospital costs. Low income and long-term sick patients receive 100%
coverage. Since the end of 2017, doctors and certain medical personnel are
not allowed to charge upfront payments. Instead, they receive payment
directly from the government or health insurer.

Spring is the most romantic season in France. Its gentle green, first flowers
and timid awakening of nature create special atmosphere. At this time of year
rivers overflow their banks, chestnuts blooms and towns and villages are
surrounded by fragrance. Stone jungles of cities are lighted by gentle trees
with lightest laces of white and pink blossom. The spring for French is the
traditional wedding season so streets are filled with wedding processions.
Spring is the time when Brittany is covered by blooming broom and gorse
flowers and swamps and dried salt lakes of Provence are filled with voices of
thousands of different birds.
As far as I am concerned everything in France was a new experience for me.
As I am an exchange student, I could be able to feel the cultural shock between
India and France. I think French culture is more flexible than Indian culture.
As their motto suggest, they give equal importance to everyone irrespective
of their caste, age and creed. I am really got admired of this French mentality.