Chapter 1.
Set Off
2022, the year of the pandemic ends. I finished my master’s thesis and am waiting for the opportunity to go abroad. I applied for an exchange program at our sister school Polytech Montpellier in 2020, but it was delayed due to Covid-19 assaulting the world. Now is nothing on my way. I am ready to study abroad and face any challenges.
I spent more than 24 hours in traffic and finally arrived in Montpellier. It’s my second time here, and everything is so familiar. I came here for summer camp in 2019.
Chapter 2.
Study and Live In France
School Life
I have three courses: Object-oriented Design and Programming, Marketing and Innovation, and French. I enjoy them. Teachers and classmates are very kind. They always help me when I am not clear in class.
For me, food is the most significant thing in life. In France, you can have a meal in a student cafeteria for only 3 euros. They change the menu daily to ensure students are getting different nutrients.
Student cafeteria only open at noon on weekdays, so sometimes we have to cook by ourself. Before we start to cook, we have to buy the ingredients. I like to seek the ingredients that I never seen in Taiwan. Everytime I go to the market, they would gave me suprise.
Food Culture
France is a big country. It includes lots of food styles. The dishes from the south of France are strong taste and oriented around meat. They like to eat pork, beef, duck, etc. I love to go to Bouchon and try everything novel. Seafood is also popular in the south of France. Mediterranean fish and oysters are fresh and delicious.
Dessert is valued in France too. They make desserts around chocolate, ice cream, custard, and cream. My favorite one is Île flottante, which means floating island. Meringue floating on vanilla custard is creative and delicious. Moelleux au chocolat also impress me. Melted chocolate flowing out of crispy cake, how delicate!
Walk the streets of France, and you will find many cafés and bars. People like to drink coffee, beer, or cocktails during their breaks. They don’t use their mobiles. They bask in the sun, feel the breeze, look around at the people passing by, and enjoy their time.
Chapter 3.
Problems Encountered in France
Life is not always plain sailing. Sometimes we encounter problems. We have to face difficulties and learn from them. There are some problems you could encounter in France.
Communication Barriers
If your French is good, you can skip this item. If not, you are in big trouble in France. Most French people don’t like to speak English. It’s not mean they don’t understand. You are the guest in their country, so you have to respect their language. Always start with French, even if your French is not good. Let them know you esteem their culture. In most cases, when they recognize that you are not good at French, they will ask you if you want to speak English.
Rendez-Vous (RDV)
In French, an appointment is called Rendez-Vous (RDV). How to create a bank account in Taiwan? Just go to the bank, and they will do it for you. It doesn’t work in France. If you want to create a bank account, you have to reserve it. They will assign a consultant for you to help you handle your business. (BTW, most consultants only speak French too!)
Most activities in France require an appointment. Like handling the banking business, seeing the doctor, having a haircut, and going to a fine dining restaurant. Make sure the place you want to go is required RDV or not before you go.
Student Insurance
Congratulation! You have a French bank account. Now you can apply for your student insurance. You have to prepare your contact information (Email, phone number), certificate of registration for the current academic year, proof of identity, student visa, certificate of civil status, residence permit, and RIB (Relevé d’Identité Bancaire, Bank Identity Statement). The biggest issue is the certificate of civil status. They only accept the French version and don’t accept the English version. You have to seek a legal Chinese-French translator to help you.
Chapter 4.
Entertainment
Don’t forget your spare time after all problems are solved! In Montpellier, you have many options. There are the zoo, aquarium, shopping mall, park, and museum. You can kill time and do whatever you want. I like shopping at Place de la Comédie. The market there has everything and is clean. If I get tired, I’ll go to the bar and have a cocktail. When the sky turns dark, I like to dine in the restaurant. It’s the best way to end the day.
If you’ve been everywhere in Montpellier, it’s a good idea to travel to other cities. They are also fascinating. France borders six countries and is surrounded by sea on three sides. Here have lots of different cultures and experiences waiting for you.
Sète is the port city just near Montpellier. You can readily get here by train from Montpellier in 30 minutes. They have a beautiful view and fresh seafood. If you want a short trip, this is a good choice.
Bordeaux is the most famous wine city. You can visit the wine museum, winery, and vineyard. The yearly production of their wine is more than 400,000 hectolitres. It’s also the birthplace of canelé. You’ll see the canelé shop anywhere. Don’t miss it if you are a big fan of canelé.
Saint-Emilion is a medieval city near Bordeaux. The town and surrounding vineyards were made a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999, owing to its long, living history of wine-making, Romanesque churches, and narrow streets.
Southwest of Bordeaux is Arcachon. It’s a popular seaside resort on the Atlantic coast. Here has Europe’s largest dune. You can hike on it and enjoy the sea breeze. They are also known for their oyster farming. You must try oysters and white wine at the market when you visit!
Chapter 5.
Acknowledgements
I want to thank Polytech Montpellier give me this chance to exchange in France. Being an exchange student is a treasured experience. Although there will be setbacks along the way, there is always something to gain from it. I learned a lot about French cultures and professional knowledge. I made some friends in France. We are still in contact, and they will help me to stay informed about French news.
Also, thank the Ministry of Education and National United University support me in this journey. They give me lots of guidance and resources. It could be more difficult without their help.
Lastly, thank everyone who helps me during my exchange. French people are so kind and passionate. They always give me a hand when I need help. I will not forget your kindness forever.
