People experience different kinds of culture shock. For picky eaters, they have trouble finding food they like. For claustrophobic people, crowds and public transportation might make them uncomfortable. For control seeking over organizers like me, it’s the laid back European lifestyle that is taking some getting used to.
Even in Canada I would be considered a person who over thinks and over prepares – so in France this makes me seem like a crazy person. I have only been here a week and I have already been frustrated with early storse closings, businesses taking two hour lunch breaks, and even the impossibly casual system for choosing courses at my new university. I am a list maker, a scheduler, and I am finding it impossible to plan out my day perfectly when everyone around me is only really considering the next 5 minutes.
I have given it some thought, and if I really want to get the most out of this exchange, I’ve got to step outside of my OCD-like pattern and become more like the people around me. My way may be more efficient at times, but I can also spend too much time worrying and predicting. There is no better time for me to take up a (somewhat) Laissez Faire lifestyle than for the next four months. Maybe I won’t set my alarm unless I have to, I won’t stress over my marks (which I can do, thanks to my school’s pass/fail exchange system!), and I won’t make AS many lists!
This may be the biggest challenge I will face in my travels. I was going to make an action plan on out how to tackle it – but I took a nap instead. Maybe I’ll wil do it tomorrow…apres-midi…