Yukari Ueno, 2nd year student in the Faculty of Humanities
[Study Abroad Destination] University of Montaigne, Bordeaux (France)
[Study Abroad Period] October 2017 to July 2018
Hello
Hello. My name is Yukari Ueno, and I'm currently studying abroad in Bordeaux. Bordeaux is a very beautiful city in southwestern France, famous for its wine. The climate is mild, and it doesn't snow even in winter. It's a fairly large city, so the city center is always bustling with people, and shopping is convenient (although many shops are closed on Sundays).
DEFLE, the French language school I attend, brings together people from various countries, and classes are divided according to each person's French level, making it perfect for learning about different cultures and improving your French. It's also great for meeting French people who are learning Japanese, and it's easy to make friends. I spend almost every afternoon with my French friends. There are also Japanese people from various prefectures, but there are only about 10 of us, so it's a comfortable level of interaction and I feel at ease. Furthermore, France is geographically located roughly in the center of Europe, making it easy to travel to Italy, Spain, England, Germany, and other countries, so I think it's a fantastic place for travel lovers.
I feel like I've changed so much after spending six months here in Bordeaux. French people don't understand unless you say it, and they have a lot of discussions. Spending time with French people, whose family backgrounds, interpersonal relationships, and ways of thinking are completely different from mine, has made me realize things I would never have noticed if I had stayed in Japan. If you're interested in France, I would definitely recommend taking the plunge and studying abroad. You'll encounter so many things you can't experience in Japan.
