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Permalink Reply by Justin Cook on July 31, 2012 at 1:35am

C'est tres bien. tu parl franique? thats very good do you speak french.

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Permalink Reply by Noah G. Johnson on July 31, 2012 at 8:08am

I do not speak french yet, but that is actually part of the program and something I am absolutely looking forward to

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Permalink Reply by Nick H on July 31, 2012 at 4:46am

I have never gone there so I can't help you specifically but in general my advice would be to dive into the culture. I see some guys do what you are doing and spend all their time either with compatriots (other Americans in your case) and/or never leave campus. My advice would be to avoid both as much as possible. Try as best as you can to live like a local. To them you will always be an outsider but by doing this you might get a richer learning experience as to how they live.

Some tips to do this.

- Avoid the "tourist traps". Or at least, get the tourist stuff out of the way right away. Maybe dedicate your first few outings to the tourist "must see's". These are usually on 'must see' lists for a reason (like if you came to Dublin, go to Guinness at least once). But then avoid them like the plague. Think about it. You live in Atlanta (according to your page). I've never been so the first thing I'd want to do is see the Coke factory. Now, as an Atlanta resident, how often do you go there? Have you ever gone unless bringing out-of-town visitors? Do you walk around with a "City of Atlanta" baseball cap and Coke t-shirt all the time? Locals don't do that. I could spend all week at Coke and never learn what its like to be living in Atlanta.

- Not sure of your dating ways or status. If you are single and like to date casually, then go on a date with a local or two. Best way to learn a town.

- You may want souvenirs for family/friends home but don't dress like a tourist Think about it. Have you ever seen a New Yorker with a "I heart NY" t-shirt on? In Ireland, even as a fellow non-native, I can spot American tourists from miles because they wear their fishermen wool sweaters and caps like they're John Wayne from the "quiet man". Once again, you may never look like a native (Europeans can spot us North Americans from the way we wear our clothes, usually because we like them a bit looser and too big for us compared to them and by other such fashion stuff that as a fellow N. American I don't even know what it is. We are not locals, accept it, but you don't need to broadcast it.

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Permalink Reply by Patrick Smith on August 2, 2012 at 8:43am

Following on from the above, you will meet loads of Brits and Irish and even people from other European countries who use English on a day to day basis. It will be easy to fall into the trap of only mixing with fellow English speakers. Don't fall into this trap!!

Get out there, date native girls, join a club or go to church/ synagogue/ whatever.

I spent part of my degree in Barcelona and Lyon and you can tell who are the ones that get out and about as they gain confidence in the language the quickest.

Don't be afraid of making mistakes - we have all done that and you will find that anyone is sympathetic to a native English speaker trying to learn their language.

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Permalink Reply by Patrick Smith on August 2, 2012 at 8:44am

Also, find a good pub with local clientèle. Get friendly with the bar-staff. Go there a lot!

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Permalink Reply by Nick H on August 2, 2012 at 10:27am

Don't be afraid of making mistakes - we have all done that and you will find that anyone is sympathetic to a native English speaker trying to learn their language.

I agree with that. You hear stuff like the French are rude, or etc. But I think if you are showing an honest attempt to speak the language most people are quite patient with you.

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Permalink Reply by David F. on August 2, 2012 at 12:58pm

This sparked a thought.  It may make sense to plan on buying clothing over there to better fit it.  Rather then packing everything you will need.  Pack Suits and business wear but for the casual stuff you may just want to pick it up over there.  You will blend in better and you will have less to carry.  You can always ship it home when you are done as you have wardrobe at home waiting.

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