French Politics and questions about France?

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Rillifane

Sarkozy is a candidate somewhat right of center and Segolene Royal is nominally a Socialist. M. Sarkozy has made it clear that he wishes to improve relations with the United States and rejects the facile anti-Americanism that is fashionable among the allegedly intellectual set.

Sarkozy beleives that France must be willing to shed some of its welfare state policies and encourage people to work harder if France is to maintain its competative edge. Royal (unrealistically in my opinion) seems to think that if everyone stamps their little feet and wishes really hard then France's 10% unemployment will disappear in a big poof of smoke (which she will then blow in the face of "Les Anglais").

You will need a carte de sejour if you plan on staying in France for over 90 days and yes, you should carry it with you at all times although it is very unlikely that you will be routinely asked to produce it.

You should consider adding Aix en Provence to your list of cities. It is an old and historic city in France and known today as a University center. Of the four that you listed I'd pick Lyons which is the gastronomic center of France. The food is just wonderful there.

Quiet is good. The French are generally a somewhat formal and reserved people especially compared to Americans. I take it that you are Chinese (I am half Chinese). It is likely you have seen how American tourists behave in China. Just do your best to act exactly the opposite of the way they behave.

Hello-Paris

I will answer you only about towns because you have already many informations on your others questions.
I live in Paris, but I can tell you the main important things to help you to choose. All these 4 towns can be well. It depends what you will do, what size of town you prefer, what activities you want to do.....
-Lyon is a very big town (2nd town in France behind Paris). The advantages are that you are not very far (1 hour driving) to the Alps if you like skiing. It's a town where you eat and drink very good things (sausage and wine...). Lyon is about 400 km from Paris but only 2 hours with TGV (High speed train). As a great town, you have many things to do, and a fantastic old town to visit.
- Bordeaux is also a great town, in the souht-west of France, on the Atlantic ocean. Bordeaux is the town of wine. I think life is more quiet. Close to many beaches on Atlantic.
- Poitiers is big but not so than Lyon and Bordeaux. The town of futuroscope (big parc with new technical attractions) and not very far from the castles on the Loire river. I think about 300 km south from Paris.
- Reims is the closer from Paris, about 150 km in the east. The town of Champagne. In winter, it will be colder than the other towns.

So if you are used to live in greats town, choose Lyon or Bordeaux. Personnaly, I would chose Bordeaux to be near the sea and the weather is the warmer. Anyway these 4 towns are each ones the main towns of departments.

Just one another word : French people prefer always foreign people when they try to speak french, even if they don't succeed to speak very well.
After one year (and after 3 months already), I'm sure you will speak french and you will understand most of french people.
Maybe, you will keep a little accent, but don't worry, you won't be alone and it's charming.
To write french, probably you will have more difficulties because our language is difficult....many french people are always writing with mistakes.

laurie b

Hi there,
Basically Sarkozy is a Republican without the religious part of the Republicans in America, otherwise it's pretty similar and Royal is a Democrat. For the rest, I like neither of them but that's only my opinion, it's worth what it's worth...

About the cities, I don't really know much about those places, I'm from the very north of France. Reims is going to be the coldest of the place you said, and Bordeaux the warmest, but you could have guessed that from a map, sorry I can't help more...

I'm sure your teacher is right about the carte de sÃ©jour and it's going to be pretty easy to get through the closest French consulate, depending where you live in the US. Once in France you should always have it not because if you don't you'd be arrested, that seems a little extreme... But it's better to have it on you in case you need to prove your identity to the police and at the same time, prove that you're legal being there...
As for the language people will appreciate your attempt at speaking French even if it's crappy, there's nothing worse than Americans assuming everyone understands english... That makes French people mad, go with the French, they will apreciate the effort and switch to English on their own if they speak it...
As for being quiet it's not a problem, but it will be a lot easier to get the most out of your experience if you make an effort to talk to people. I know it's not easy...

After a year in France your french will improve, but it really depends on what your level is right now... Being in the country can only work to a certain point... Watching in TV in French is a pretty good exercise once you're there and of course talking to people!

Good luck!!!

Edouard B

Question 1: Sarkozy is from the right party (UMP), and Royal is from the socialist party. Sarkozy wants to reform public services, migration laws etc..., while Royal wants to keep things like they are. Anyway, that's just my personal opinion.

Question 2: Within your choice, I have visited: Lyon, Bordeaux, and Reims.
Definitely, I go for Bordeaux.
The town was refurbished in the late 90s~early 2000s, accommodation are still cheap, and the student life is just wonderful.
I really like public transport in Bordeaux because everything is so easy to reach. Moreover, as it is a medium-size town, it is easier to meet up people.
As regards the accommodation, you should find a room for 250~300â‚¬ per month. It would be much better to share a flat with French flatmates. Indeed the vast majority of Chinese use to live in CROUS accommodations (sort of council house), so avoiding them will help you to improve your French.

In terms of costs, Bordeaux is cheaper than Lyon, but more expensive than Poitiers and Reims.
If you have a frugal lifestyle, you can live in a medium-size town with 450~500â‚¬ per month.

Question 3: People like English speakers, so I'm sure you will find many people who wants to improve their English. Of course, you can swap your English/Chine for French.
Also I suggest you to hang out with Erasmus exchange students. You will learn not only French, but you will discover the culture of many other foreigners. I think there are many Erasmus parties all over France, especially in Bordeaux.

Good luck, and have fun.

French Ingrid

1) Sarkozy is "republican" and Royal more the second (can't remember sorry).
What is new, Sarkozy (as Royal) is the first president who never knew a war, he is 50 years old and that is young.
I didnt like him but now i think that is a good point to have a young president, who practice lot of sport and who is everywhere.

2) Lyon is nice and people too,
Bordeaux, people are very arrogant i'll never go back there,
Poitiers, i don't know more, it is not big,
Reims, i only know the cathedral, people is nice but nothing to do there, nothing to move the night

3) Britany is very nice and people realy nice, its the little england, i don't think that is so expensive but im not sur, unfortunetly it often rain as in south west.
Montpellier (on the south coast, middle) is realy nice, nto cold, and the youngest town of france (cause all the students there), that is clean and people is realy nice.

4) Yes you need your id card on you every day, i do like that but in my life the Police asked me it maybe 3 4 times no more, and as you are american you'll dont have problem with police.

5) That is not a problem if you french is not perfect to begin, cause thats cool to make the effort to speak in french, and if you speak in english, it is very important to know than in France we only learn english british, you'll need to speak slowly to be understed (me too, i don't understand american, or the person repeat 10 times but i can perfectly understand british).

6) I think than if you don't begin to speak that is internationnal lol i'm the same, that depend with who i'm speaking but i'll begin to ask where is the person from etc etc

7) After 2 month you'll have a very good french, but not if you speak english everyday to everypeople

Anything to know, if you are invited anywhere and you meet an english speaker friend, that is not polit to speak in english (or another language), you have to speak in french (cause people can speak you don't want they understand you).
Often the work begin at 8h30 to finish at 5h30pm but that depend, the shops are closed on monday in france but you'll can find minimum a bakery, a tobacconist, a pharmacy...etc.

Good luck for the rest, if you go to Paris... i'm here !! no problem i'm at 10min from there by train
I hope you understood all what i say cause i learnt english alone and i dont use dictionnary, i try.

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