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07/10/2025 | 8 MINUTES READ

Fitting in with the French

Abigail V.

Virginia Wesleyan University | Paris

When I was first accepted into my study abroad program in France, I was very nervous about trying to fit in for several reasons. First, I’m American, and even though I speak some French, I’m far from fluent and certain I have an accent. I knew this alone would make me stand out.

Young woman sitting on the steps of Claude Monet's pink house in Giverny, France.

This is from when I visited Giverny, the home of Claude Monet. This is my favorite place I’ve been to in France so far! 

Additionally, I am biracial, and many people have a view of France as the “old-world France” that was predominantly white and Catholic. France doesn’t take any census data on race, religion, or ethnicity, so it’s hard to tell the exact numbers, but just walking through Paris, I can see how much has changed and how outdated that stereotype is.

Paris is such a diverse city that I felt relieved when I arrived and honestly a bit silly for worrying so much about standing out because of how I looked. Don’t get me wrong, I still try to blend in and look like a European. I avoid wearing sweats, ripped jeans, or shorts because one of the WorldStrides directors told us that people here don’t really wear those items. However, fitting in based on my skin tone has not been a problem at all. Paris is honestly more diverse than my hometown in Virginia. I’ve seen people from all different walks of life. Many of them are no doubt tourists, but just as many are also French.

A white castle with pointed towers and intricate details, situated on a hill overlooking a calm river and surrounded by lush green gardens.

This is from a WorldStrides excursion to the Loire Valley. Every château we visited was beautiful, but Château d’Amboise (pictured here) was my personal favorite! 

A white castle with pointed towers and intricate details, situated on a hill overlooking a calm river and surrounded by lush green gardens.

I’ve noticed that people here seem to mind their own business. Unless they’re pickpockets, the French are not looking around and judging people as they walk by. I know that’s an anxiety many people have when they come to other countries because we all want to fit in. We don’t want to disrespect the culture, and most importantly, we don’t want to feel discriminated against.

It has truly been a wonderful experience being in such a diverse city and getting to try all sorts of different foods and see diverse communities. The arrondissements (neighborhoods) have very distinct feelings to each of them. For example, there is a big difference between the city center and the Latin Quarter. There’s just so much to do. Even though the ISA program I’m in is pretty small, it’s not hard to find someone with similar interests who wants to explore the areas you do.

Display case filled with various breads, pastries and other baked goods inside a modern bakery.  A bakery employee arranges baked goods while several customers wait in line. The interior of the bakery features a modern design with warm lighting and arched windows

This is just one of the places where you could get food at Galeries Lafayette. There was such a wide variety of all types of food there! 

Honestly, the only thing that makes people look at you or makes you stand out as a tourist—at least from what I’ve noticed—is talking very loudly in public spaces. People here do talk with each other, but it’s much more subdued. If you’re talking loudly, especially in English, they know you’re an American tourist. But that’s more what they care about: maintaining a quiet space, not how you look.

That being said, here are some of my tips to fit in with the French:

  1. Say “Bonjour” whenever you enter a store, museum, or other public space! It’s polite to greet people, except for on the metro, which leads me to number two:
    Don’t be overly friendly. It sounds a little odd, but walking around and smiling at everyone on the street looks a little weird here and can make you stand out as a tourist. Being too friendly with strangers can make you a target for scammers and pickpockets.
    Try to speak a little French! Even if you don’t pronounce everything right, it’s good to know a few key phrases, like “je voudrais” for ordering something. Even though most people in Paris speak English, it’s polite to show you’re making an effort instead of just expecting them to speak English.
    When in doubt, wear black. Personally, I like wearing bright colors, but they certainly make me stand out. If you truly want to blend in, neutral colors are the way to go.
    Wear comfortable shoes! When I was preparing to come to France, I read so many blog posts saying French people only wear sneakers for walking and switch to nice shoes when they arrive. From what I’ve seen, people wear sneakers and jeans (not ripped) all the time. Don’t stress too much about your outfit, just make sure you’re comfortable enough to walk 5+ miles per day.
    Don’t sweat the little things. Try to fully enjoy your time abroad! Bad things can happen, but it’s important to try and focus on moving forward and making the most of the time you have.
The Eiffel Tower viewed from the ground, with a group of people in the foreground admiring the structure. The sky is cloudy, and the tower's metal framework is clearly visible.

No post about France would be complete without a photo of the Eiffel Tower! I took this photo while on a Seine River boat tour with WorldStrides.

The Eiffel Tower viewed from the ground, with a group of people in the foreground admiring the structure. The sky is cloudy, and the tower's metal framework is clearly visible.

If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out! The WorldStrides team was extremely helpful while I was preparing for my study abroad, and you can reach me at avillacru7152@gmail.com for any questions about my personal experience.

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Abigail V.

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  • Culture
  • Tips