Before we started this project we looked at examples of previous work by past students.  They were varied in terms of content and style, and we decided that we would make our blog more modern.  So, as everyone it seems, uses the internet nowadays, we thought that it would be a good idea to create a blog.  This would mean that readers could follow, comment and generally participate in the discussion.

Our starting point was to conduct a number of filmed interviews with some of our French friends and colleagues.  We drew up a questionnaire:

Questionnaire for interviewees

Name:               Interviewed by:

Occupation:

Town of origin:

Age Group:      

• 18-30
• 30+

Where in England did you visit?

What were your expectations of England before you went there?

Did your experiences match your expectations?

List 3 things you liked about England

List 3 things you disliked about England

What is your opinion of English food?

What differences did you find in buying typical French food in England?

Behaviour - what differences do you notice between the English and the French?

Do the visiting English students make you want to visit or not visit England, and why?

Any other observations you would like to make, or questions you would like to ask?

We selected a number of fellow students and lecturers and allowed them to choose whether to conduct their interview in English or French.

Books on Cultural Differences

Raymonde Carroll presents an intriguing and thoughtful analysis of the many ways French and Americans—and indeed any members of different cultures—can misinterpret each other, even when ostensibly speaking the same language. Cultural misunderstandings, Carroll points out, can arise even where we least expect them—in our closest relationships. The revealing vignettes that Carroll relates, and her perceptive comments, bring to light some fundamental differences in French and American presuppositions about love, friendship, and raising children, as well as such everyday activities as using the telephone or asking for information. 

A very useful book in helping the reader understand the essence of being French...It gives enough historical background, developments of ideas so that the idiosynchracies of the French life and work style are seen connected in a wider context...There is a fine balance between culture -- its origin and manifestation -- and descriptions of daily events and stories...A book that is a must for business people doing business with the French or wanting to understand the behavior of French citizens here in the US.

Before A Year in the Merde, Stephen had never written anything longer than a report on British coffee-drinking habits. Inspired partly by the culture shock on his arrival in Paris in September 2002, and partly by the enviable sales figures of Peter Mayle's A Year in Provence, Stephen started keeping a diary of his experiences. He turned the journal into a novel when Anglo-French relations were at their worst during the Iraq War of spring 2003. Stephen is still living in Paris with his French girlfriend and her lingerie collection.
Stephen Clarke- Links to more of his books

Links to Websites about the Cultural Differences

I thought France would be like England, but I was in for a shock!

Differences Between England and France

Respecting Cultural Differences in France

Joan of Arc statue in the Place du Matroi

Kate, Annie and Beth

Annie, Beth and Kate at the Christmas Market

Kate, Annie and Beth out for lunch!

IAV- Now known as ESAD

The Cathedral

The Intro

Hi there!  We are Beth, Kate and Annie.  As part of our amazing Erasmus year at the IAV here in Orleans, France, we decided that for one of our projects we would like to take a closer look at the interesting differences between England and France:  the life, culture, food, shopping and generally views of one country about the other.  The three of us have been living in France for four and a half months now,  and some differences we noticed straight away, others we are only just beginning to realise. All very interesting!

We are three students studying Interior Design at DeMontfort University in Leicester, and we were given the opportunity to come to France to study at the Institute of Visual Arts (IAV) in Orleans for an academic year.  We saw this as a great chance to study the subject that we love, from a different viewpoint, and also to learn French, not only for the benefits of communication, but also to boost our future career prospects.

River Loire

Cobbled Street

The city of Orleans is situated 125 km, about an hour, south of Paris, on the River Loire, almost in the centre of France.  It has about 250,000 inhabitants, and is the smallest city in France to have a tramline.  The city is steeped in history: St Joan of Arc was one of its heroines, and retains much of its historical heritage, particularly in the old town in the centre of the city: tiny cobbled streets, beautifully lit at night, tall, half-timbered, narrow houses and all dominated by the enormous cathedral.

The IAV or Ecole Superieur d'Art et Design as it has recently been changed to, is a former Art School specialising in the teaching of Graphic, Product, Furniture and Spatial Design.  It is a small Institute with about 200 students but with a high teaching ratio.  It is located in the cathedral quarter near the city art gallery.

The city of Leicester is also centrally situated in England.  It has a long history in the textile manufacturing industry.

DeMontfort University was formerly Leicester Polytechnic, and  has many faculties, of which the Art and Design Department offers a wide range of courses to the 3000 students who attend it.