Why I Recommend Studying in France

Hi! It's Yoko.

I worked at an IT company for many years, but last year I quit and went to study in France.

Studying in France was really, really good!

So I'd like to tell you why I recommend France, why I chose it as my destination, and what it was actually like.

I hope it helps at least a little if you're deciding where to study, or if you're thinking about France like me!

I Just Love the Sound of French!

First, French simply sounds adorable!

This is an interview with Emma Watson, and she speaks French from 1:49.

Compared to when she speaks English, doesn't it sound softer, with less intonation, almost like whispering?

I love this sound of French!

When I'm walking around town and pass someone speaking French, I end up eavesdropping (lol).

It's a little ticklish, and soothing.

I could listen forever.

I eventually started thinking that if I could understand and speak French myself, maybe I could offer that kind of comfort to others! (lol)

Curiosity About Countries Outside the English-Speaking World

Both my parents liked English and traveled abroad often, so English was familiar to me from childhood.

I also had chances to use English after joining a company, so studying in the US didn't interest me much.

Culturally, too, I was more interested in France.

For example, the US has the second lowest rate of paid vacation use among developed countries after Japan, at 71%.

But in France, the paid vacation usage rate is 100%!

It's unthinkable in Japan, but everyone casually takes two weeks or a month off.

Literally, "vacances"! (lol)

I was also interested in working while traveling the world, free from any one place, so I was curious about how the French approach work.

I also love eating.

American cuisine isn't counted among the world's three great cuisines, and its food culture isn't highly developed.

French cuisine, on the other hand, has a worldview of its own.

Many Japanese chefs go to France to train, and French food is popular in Japan too.

On top of that, the French spend the longest time on meals in the world.

They apparently spend 2 hours and 14 minutes a day eating, which seemed to match my own value of treasuring mealtimes.

A Country Where I Could Free Myself from Preconceptions

Once I actually went, life in France was the best!

It shares land borders with other countries, so it's easy to travel, and I could experience the cultures of many countries, not just France.

People cross at a red light if no cars are coming (lol).

When I was carrying heavy luggage down the stairs, people helped me... Everyone seemed to live in the moment, and they were all kind.

I think many Japanese people are good at reading the room and prefer to stay in line with everyone else.

That's one culture and one set of values.

But you can't really know whether you should stay in the cage until you've flown out of it.

So if you feel Japan is hard to live in, studying abroad is one way to go!

And for me, I recommend France.

If you're unsure, visiting as a tourist first is a good idea too!