One of the reasons why I chose to study in France is because it is part of my heritage. My mother was born in northern France, and was the only member of her family to immigrate to the United States. She rebuilt her life in America while the rest of her family remained in France. This has given me deep personal ties to this country, and I consider myself fortunate to have such deep personal connections rooted in France, with much of my mother’s family still living here. I grew up speaking French, and have continued to practice the language throughout my life. Because of my background in the language and my familiarity with the culture, I arrived feeling connected to France before having met anyone. Having French nationality has also helped me to establish common ground with locals, which makes conversations feel more natural. I am able to engage with the community more confidently, and build strong connections with those around me.
One strong connection I have made has been with my host mother. When I first arrived at my homestay, we immediately hit it off. I am so grateful for her generosity, guidance, and open perspective of the French lifestyle. Her willingness to share her insight has allowed me to better understand life abroad. I have also discovered that we have some similar interests, and I take pleasure in hearing about her day to day experiences working as a life coach. Occasionally, we will have dinner together and bond over our shared interest in sociology and other meaningful conversation we are both passionate about. Through these discussions, I am able to better understand daily life in France, as well as practice my French skills.
While my host mom provided a welcoming and controlled environment, I found it to be more intimidating to approach strangers, especially in a culture where casual friendliness can be interpreted differently than how it would be in America. It can be isolating to put yourself out there, and initiating any conversation puts you in a vulnerable situation. I will admit, I did not make as much of an effort as I should have when it came to conversing with locals. During my first week here, I naturally gravitated toward English speakers because they felt comfortable and familiar. There is this mutual feeling of camaraderie between us, and I have met a lot of other students like myself who are here studying abroad. This connection creates a sense of reassurance and community, since we are all discovering a new environment together. It is comforting to experience a new city together, even if we don’t know each other all too well.
As my confidence in my speaking abilities grew, I was able to branch out and become more intentional about interacting with local Parisians. Through shared interests, I have been able to pursue meaningful relationships and build genuine connections.
The nightlife in Paris has served as a great way to get to know both the city and its people. There is always something to do, and by participating in local events and shows I have been introduced to people I never would have met otherwise. For instance, one of my favorite neighborhood bars holds a “Drink & Draw” event every Tuesday night. Here, I am able to mingle with local artists as well as everyday people who enjoy creating art. It’s a great way to spend a week day evening, and I am able to bond with locals over our shared appreciation of the arts. I also regularly attend jazz clubs and venues that showcase live music. As a musician myself, I find that these environments are especially welcoming as music is a universal language.
My hobbies and interests have allowed me to connect with people through a shared passion, and these experiences have helped me build meaningful relationships while integrating myself into the French culture. The connections I have made are driven by my curiosity and willingness to further immerse myself in local culture, as well as my interests in art and music. Through my heritage, my growing fluency in the language, and the open mindset I carry with me, I continue to build relationships and have been able to integrate myself into the city of Paris.
