Beyond Tourism - Experiencing France Through Study Abroad

Today on GoAbroad we feature a guest post from Sarah Russell, who studied abroad in France and is keen to share why the country is more than just a great tourist destination. From the culture to to the architecture, Sarah shares with GoAbroad why France is an ideal study abroad location!

If you are looking to study abroad, there is no better place to go than France (I might be a little biased here though as I studied abroad in Paris). Whether you want to experience an amazing city, view priceless art, eat great food, or simply want to go somewhere new, France is the place for you. The best part about studying abroad is that unlike visiting for a week or two, you have the unique opportunity to spend a lot of time there and really experience another culture.

If you still need some convincing, read on!

Wine and Culinary Excellence

One of the things that the French are best known for are food and wine.  Cooking techniques and recipes that were developed in France hundreds of years ago are still used today, and often form the basis of culinary curriculums in schools all over the world. If you like wine, you will be happy to hear that in addition to great food, France produces some of the best wines in the world including Pinot Noir, Bordeaux, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Chardonnay. It is safe to say that the French consider enjoying a great meal and a good bottle of wine part of daily life.

Art and Architecture

The French have long been known for their creative spirit, and France has gained the reputation for being a necessary destination for a large variety of artists. Master painters, sculptors, classical and modern composers, architects, and designers all found inspiration while living in or visiting France. Art in France goes back thousands of years, so if you are studying art or architecture, you will have to literally budget your time in order to see all that the country has to offer.

• Once a royal fortress, the Musée du Louvre now houses priceless works of art by artists such as Monet, Matisse, and Renoir.
• If music is more of your thing, take the time to visit the opera and listen to the works of composer Claude Debussy.
• Classic literary authors such as Voltaire, Proust, and Baudelaire, as well as more contemporary authors such as Ernest Hemingway, Henry Miller, and James Joyce all drew inspiration from French culture.

France is home to both some of the earliest pioneers in many architectural styles as well many contemporary designers and architects. A prime destination for architecture students, you will see architecture in nearly every style including:

• The Notre Dame de Paris, built in the 1345
• The Roman amphitheater in Nimes, built in the 1st or 2nd century AD
• The Place Dauphine in Baroque style, built in 1607
• The post-modern housing development, Marne-la-Vallee

Of course, regardless of whether you are a student of architecture, or studying another subject, you wouldn’t want to miss sites such as the Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel and the Eiffel Tower.

Rich History

If you are planning on studying history, you will find that France has been the stage for important historical events for centuries. Important events taking place in France have shaped not only the history of France, but the history of the entire world. With so many historical events that have taken place over the centuries, it would be impossible to list them all. Some of the events that you may choose to study more in-depth are:

• The French Revolution
• The rise of Napoleon
• The Fifth Republic under President Charles de Gaulle
• D-Day and the invasion of Normandy

Even if you are not studying history, many of the many historical landmarks are worth taking a day trip to see. France is not a geographically large country, so a few hours on a train will get you there.

The City of Lights

When choosing a location to study in France, many students head directly to Paris and don’t look back. However, if you have chosen one of the many other fascinating locations in France, be sure that you at least visit Paris. Paris is the capital and the largest city in France. There are so many things to do, see, and eat in the city that the opportunities are endless. You may even have to make more than one visit! Some of the most popular attractions are sites such as the Moulin Rouge, Opéra Garnier, Tuileries Garden, the Notre Dame de Paris, and the Eiffel Tower. After sightseeing, the city has tons of bars, clubs, and restaurants to relax in.

No matter what your passion is, France has something for everyone. There are so many things to take in, you will need to take your time and enjoy the experience. When you study abroad in France, whether you are eating, sightseeing, or studying leave your sense of urgency at home. Part of French culture is to slow down and savor everything. Leisure is taken as seriously as work in this country, so take your time. So follow the old saying and “when in France, do as the French do.” Don’t wait though, because there is so much to a study abroad program in France that it can’t all be covered in an article. You need to discover it for yourself.

Sarah Russell studied abroad in France (and loved it!) while in school. Since graduating, she has started working for Pimsleur Approach, a provider of audio based courses that will help you learn a language through programs like Pimsleur French, which are based on the research of Dr. Pimsleur. While she isn’t traveling she is brushing up on languages for future trips.

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