Customer service…the greatest cultural challenge
February 12, 2014
There have certainly been some interesting cultural shocks I’ve experienced in my 5 months to date in Toulouse. The most striking is probably the complete divergence in mentality between the UK and France when it comes to customer service. This apparently does not exist in France. In all honesty you get the feeling when walking …
I see challenges as opportunities
February 8, 2014
When we travel we often compare everything to our native traditions or the traditions where we live. During my first semester I cannot say I have experienced any cultural challenges as I was communicating with French people and learning for their culture. I have started experiencing cultural challenges when I started working at zChocolat. As …
Kissing culture, personal space and bad driving
February 7, 2014
Post written by Jasmine Philpott. Living in France has been less ‘challenging’ than I anticipated, firstly because it is almost the same as England, and secondly, in most areas where the two differ, France is better. I suppose there have been a few awkward moments where I am reminded that French people are not the …
The French work to live and do not live to work
February 6, 2014
For me, one of the most intriguing issues surrounding the French culture lies in their mannerisms. They are known as the ‘kissing culture’ and I would be lying if I said I haven’t found the way they greet people difficult at times. For example, on several occasions I have found it too intimate when meeting …
The challenge to find friends in La Palma
A challenge I encountered during my time abroad is the demographics of the island I am living on. The town has a population of 18,000, it is also the capital of the island. Santa Cruz is a nice place to live, don’t get me wrong but there is not a lot on offer when it …
Coffee, nicotine and family…thats all a Lisboan needs
So after a brilliant (well needed) break in the UK, I am back in Lisbon for my last stint before I go to Madrid. I’m trying to take in as much Portuguese as I can before I switch to madrileno Castellano, which is seeing me almost disorientated. I really am enjoying the simple things though, …
Adapting to the culture is just as important as acquiring the language
February 5, 2014
Post written by Katherine Hughes. With only three months left in France, I honestly don’t know where the time’s gone and I’m already beginning to reminisce and get nostalgic over my experiences here. As I reflect, I suppose it is the cultural differences between England and France that have contributed to the most memorable moments …
I thought the preconceptions were just stereotypes…I was mistaken
Before living in Spain, I presumed that all the preconceptions I had about life here were just stereotypes. I was mistaken. Even though Spain is a county frequented by many Britons, there is a stark cultural difference and most of the typical things associated with Spain are actually quite accurate, especially here in Seville and …
The French love a good protest
When setting off from the UK to France, I was aware, as I think all Brits are, that the French love a good manif (protest) or a good strike. The stereotype is that they love anything that will allow them to fill the streets and to voice their dismay at something. Since living in Paris I …
Adjusting to life as Hamburgers
Hamburg is a cosmopolitan city and holds its own in terms of diversity. People from all backgrounds settle here and seem to have few problems adjusting to life as Hamburgers (yes, Hamburgers!). It’s hard to write this while remaining tactful, not to mention politically correct, but if I’m going to write about cultural challenges then …
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