CULTURE SHOCK STORIES
Task:
You are going to read an extract retrieved from a weblog – Becoming Unbound. Four paragraphs have been
removed from the extract. Choose from paragraphs A-D the one which fits each gap (1-5).There is one extra
paragraph which you do not need to use.
CULTURE SHOCK: THE STORY OF A FRENCH EXCHANGE STUDENT
During the current semester, spring 1998, I have been
studying at The College of New Jersey on exchange from
France, where I live as an international student. Though I
am a citizen of the western African country of Cameroon,
I spent the majority of my life in the Central African
Republic where I completed my elementary through high
school education.
1
Classes in France are organized the same way they are
here in the U.S., in a semester system. The only
difference is that students can graduate after three years
instead of four. I was about to graduate when I resolved
to spend some time in America. I decided to learn more
about English-speaking culture before I move ahead for
my master's degree in Translation from English to French.
2
First of all, I have found that in terms of studies, there is
much more work here than in France. I had never faced
such an amount of work during the three years I had
spent at my university. I had even studied American
literature, but did not have as many books to read as I do
now.
3
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I guess the difference between the French educational
system and the American system is that in France, the
courses cover a particular subject in depth, whereas here
the classes embrace a large range of topics, but more
superficially. However, the interesting point is how the
classes are more alive here than in France because the
American students are more apt to speak and to express
their opinions clearly on a subject.
The classes here are also smaller, which could make them
more interactive. But they aren't because most students
do not try to study together. This would allow those who
understand quickly to help those who do not, but instead
each student works alone.
4
What I find fantastic is how the professors are more
approachable here than in France. The students can easily
communicate with them during their office hours without
an appointment and through e-mail. The professors really
care a lot for their students, especially for me since they
know that it sometimes can be difficult for me to
understand everything. I really appreciate their attitude
because it has helped me a lot.
Source: Retrieved on May 16th 2011 from
http://unbound.intrasun.tcnj.edu/archives/lifestyle/old/lifes98/france
/index.html
PARAGRAPHS A-D
A. For
example,
my
Women
Writers
class
D. I can remember my first days in one of my
requires at least six books, not counting the
classes where I was struggling because we
excerpts. I have read many novels, and
had to work on computers. I felt nervous
written many essays on them, but I think
because I was not able to use the computer
what I have to do here is at least five times as
and listen to my professor teaching at the
much as what I did in France.
same
time.
It
was
really
difficult
and
challenging for me, but with the professors
B. When I first came here everything looked so
help, I can say that I feel more comfortable
big: the streets, the buildings and the cars. I
now.
was not too surprised because America has
always been presented to me as the country
of dreams where everything is giant. I was
E.
Eight years ago, I moved to France to study
excited by the idea that America was no
English at the Universite de Saint-Denis (Paris
longer just an imaginary country, but a real
VIII). I decided to come to the United States a
country in which I had to live for a while. I
year ago when I realized that in order to
have already been here for a month-and-a-
further my English studies, I needed to live in
half (at the time of this writing), and I have
an English-speaking country.
noticed some major differences between the
countries.
C. The other thing that astonishes me is the
difference
students
in
here
terms
have
of
technology.
easier
access
The
to
computers, allowing them to go to websites
for research. In France, some people have
computers at home, but the majority does not
have access to computers at all. At my
university, there are two or three computer
laboratories, but they do not meet the needs
of around 6,000 students. I have never even
heard a professor mention an address for a
website. The fact is that they know how hard
it is for students to access the Internet.
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