Hello all you information deprived eager to become exchange students, this is the first post of many on adventures of an erasmus student lost in Lyon (or with the french culture which ever you prefer). I would will tell you this information is like the Pheron's treasure, historic and worth a lot of ching ching today, it will provide more useful knowledge than say a lonely plant guide (unless the only reason you came to France is the gastronomy). At least I believe it to be useful.
The beginning, Arrival: I was fortunate enough to have lined up a shared accommodation before I arrived with 2 other french students, and I say fortunate because it is utterly impossible to find accommodation in Lyon without knowing someone, THERE ARE 7 DIFFERENT UNIVERSITIES, and everyone has an advantage on you because they come from the not so far land of Switzerland, Germany or even Italy. Oh and the accommodation provided by the university is overpriced and way out of town. My place: its nice, tall ceilings with average size room (North-American standard) and a large kitchen, I have shared a smaller kitchen with 5 others in Victoria, ...... food is important to the french.
Arrival: not so bad as I had a room already lined up thanks to the world wide web through an amazing website called leboncoin.fr (very useful in many ways).
Transition: easy Lyon has a better transit system than most Canadian cities, and i can communicate at an advanced french level so no major disadvantages.
The culture: ... well before I elaborate first I shall start with painting a platform for a reference point.
French Culture 101
Fashion: This is the utmost important cultural difference, you know those fashion magazine advertisements, from Calvin Klein, Diesel, l'Oreal, G-Star and many others, with models displayed so perfectly dressed....??? .... Those adds are a typical french person you would see walking on the street or taking the tram. Their style is so sleek, clean and elegant at the same time, like they are all models. simply perfect. Oh and the business man style is considered the George Cloony of styles, nothing could be better.
Language: The French are very proud of their language and speak it with a speckle of of pride as if they are speaking with a royal tongue. And they do not slow down, if you can not understand them that is your fault, oh and the websites in French and English, well they are not reciprocal once switched to english, you lose many functions that are only available in french.
Culture: If you know "laissez-faire" then you know the relaxed style of the french, leisure time is held as a high priority in France. Which gives way to some stereotypes that must be cleared up, 1: Yes everyone in France smokes, why, I don't know because its cool? or because it is a good pass time?, who knows. 2: The Gastronomy, it is simple the best tasting food in the world, thousands of different cheeses, and every region has there version of "saucisson" famous and delicious. We can not forget the french "croissant" or for that matter any of the french pastries, I know what you are thinking ya I have eaten croissants before so what, ..... LISTEN they have been baking these outstanding pastries for centuries and I am not talking about Pillsbury dough boy, these are the real decadent pastries from the motherland.
Alors salut, and absorb that knowledge like little sponges until next time ........ University life in France....
