I've felt at home here in France many times, but there is one experience in particular I would like to share. I've become friends with some other French students here in Paris, and we went out to dinner, and spoke in French the entire time and dined among friends. It was at that moment I felt entirely at home here in France, and it certainly won't be the last.
Relationship rules are pretty different here in France, just by the very nature of the language. For example for the word "you", there are two forms: "tu" which is informal and may be spoken among friends, and "vows" which is more formal and will be spoken to older people or someone you might not know. Also, stores in France are considered as the extension of someone's home, and if you walk in without saying hello it is considered very rude.
One thing I have found here is that the relationship between men and women is still very much unequal. It seems as though France has not caught up to the United States in terms of gender equality, and that is definitely something they as a country need to work on. It's very strange to see women being placed in lower positions in companies, for example. Similar to the United States however, there is a lot of personal freedom, and one can do as one wishes here in Paris, the city is very modern and progressive.
For the new study abroad students, I would first like to extend my congratulations, and tell them they made the right decision in studying abroad. It does take a lot of courage to leave behind a familiar place with friends and family, and trade it in for an unknown place with unfamiliar people. However, the experiences you will have while abroad will last a lifetime, and while that probably is a cliché, it's very true. I would recommend that you definitely make a list of things to do in your host destination before you get here, so that way you can cross them off as you go along. It's easy to get lost in all the "newness" of your host destination, and get into a daily routine that might make it hard to go out and do things. Try as many new things as you can, and make new stories you can share upon your return.
There are two types of "you" in Spanish as well, and I think the more formal one definitely changes the nature of relationships. "Usted" is used with the elderly or with strangers on the street as a sign of respect and politeness, however I had a hard time adjusting to using it when I first got to Mexico. But the other day when I was speaking English, I suddenly found it strange that we don't have two you's!
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