The ISA JournalFitting in with the French

When I was first accepted into my study abroad program in France, I was very nervous about trying to fit in for several reasons. First, I’m American, and even though I speak some French, I’m far from fluent and certain I have an accent. I knew this alone would make me stand out.

Additionally, I am biracial, and many people have a view of France as the “old-world France” that was predominantly white and Catholic. France doesn’t take any census data on race, religion, or ethnicity, so it’s hard to tell the exact numbers, but just walking through Paris, I can see how much has changed and how outdated that stereotype is.

Paris is such a diverse city that I felt relieved when I arrived and honestly a bit silly for worrying so much about standing out because of how I looked. Don’t get me wrong, I still try to blend in and look like a European. I avoid wearing sweats, ripped jeans, or shorts because one of the ISA directors told us that people here don’t really wear those items. However, fitting in based on my skin tone has not been a problem at all. Paris is honestly more diverse than my hometown in Virginia. I’ve seen people from all different walks of life. Many of them are no doubt tourists, but just as many are also French.

I’ve noticed that people here seem to mind their own business. Unless they’re pickpockets, the French are not looking around and judging people as they walk by. I know that’s an anxiety many people have when they come to other countries because we all want to fit in. We don’t want to disrespect the culture, and most importantly, we don’t want to feel discriminated against.

It has truly been a wonderful experience being in such a diverse city and getting to try all sorts of different foods and see diverse communities. The arrondissements (neighborhoods) have very distinct feelings to each of them. For example, there is a big difference between the city center and the Latin Quarter. There’s just so much to do. Even though the ISA program I’m in is pretty small, it’s not hard to find someone with similar interests who wants to explore the areas you do.

Honestly, the only thing that makes people look at you or makes you stand out as a tourist—at least from what I’ve noticed—is talking very loudly in public spaces. People here do talk with each other, but it’s much more subdued. If you’re talking loudly, especially in English, they know you’re an American tourist. But that’s more what they care about: maintaining a quiet space, not how you look.

That being said, here are some of my tips to fit in with the French:

1. Say “Bonjour” whenever you enter a store, museum, or other public space! It’s polite to greet people, except for on the metro, which leads me to number two:
2. Don’t be overly friendly. It sounds a little odd, but walking around and smiling at everyone on the street looks a little weird here and can make you stand out as a tourist. Being too friendly with strangers can make you a target for scammers and pickpockets.
3. Try to speak a little French! Even if you don’t pronounce everything right, it’s good to know a few key phrases, like “je voudrais” for ordering something. Even though most people in Paris speak English, it’s polite to show you’re making an effort instead of just expecting them to speak English.
4. When in doubt, wear black. Personally, I like wearing bright colors, but they certainly make me stand out. If you truly want to blend in, neutral colors are the way to go.
5. Wear comfortable shoes! When I was preparing to come to France, I read so many blog posts saying French people only wear sneakers for walking and switch to nice shoes when they arrive. From what I’ve seen, people wear sneakers and jeans (not ripped) all the time. Don’t stress too much about your outfit, just make sure you’re comfortable enough to walk 5+ miles per day.
6. Don’t sweat the little things. Try to fully enjoy your time abroad! Bad things can happen, but it’s important to try and focus on moving forward and making the most of the time you have.

If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out! The ISA team was extremely helpful while I was preparing for my study abroad, and you can reach me at [email protected] for any questions about my personal experience.

Abigail Villacrusis is a student at Virginia Wesleyan University and an ISA Featured DEI Blogger. She is studying with ISA in Paris, France.