France: Jenna Crolla (Daily Life in Aix-en-Provence)

Living like a local, à la française, in Aix-en-Provence means totally adjusting how I approach a daily schedule. The pace of living here is significantly slower than what I’m accustomed to in the United States, so to connect with the culture, I have to slow down as well. All my classes are scheduled in two-hour blocks, and an unspoken rule is that teachers will take 5-10 minute breaks at the halfway point. These breaks are when the local French students stand up to stretch, get water or food from the vending machines, or take a quick smoke break outside. They end up congregating either in the hallway or the courtyard, and it’s a nice opportunity for me to practice my French with them.

As for food, which is a huge part of French culture, there’s no bulk buying from Costco or eating on the go. It’s most common to buy groceries several times a week, filling only a bag because that’s all that can be easily carried back home. Especially when it comes to produce, that must be fresh. I have morning classes Tuesdays and Thursdays that end an hour before the morning market does, so I swing by to pick up anything I think I’ll use for dinner that night. It’s uncommon to see anyone eating a sandwich or chugging Starbucks lattes as they scurry to work or class. Everything is a sit-down affair, coffee comes in a small espresso cup, and you should plan at least an hour for a meal so you don’t rush your digestion or your waiter. The hardest part of adjusting to French eating culture for me has been the 8pm (or 20h as locals would say) dinner times. My Wisconsin stomach is always starving by 6pm, but I make do with snacks!

 

Jenna Crolla

Hometown: Mount Horeb, Wisconsin

Major: International Studies

Program: Academic Programs in Aix-en-Provence