Learnings from France

This is a very important topic which i would have to review once i head back to India. Since have been free the whole day today thought y not think over this right now itself. Always knew that if i see bookish knowledge wise this trip would be a waste but in the practical sense this trip has taught me loads...

• The most important thing that i have learnt is how to live with 5 other people in the same house. Man, it is difficult. 6 people, 6 different views of looking at things, 6 different ways of doing things. But it has taught me loads about adjustment, compromising and understanding

• Another great benefit of this trip has been that i have, finally, learnt cooking. At least survive karne ke liye toh i can make now. Be it all from roti to chawal to sabzi, i can manage.

• How to manage a house. The dustbin is overflowing, the dishes are dirty, the clothes need to be put out for drying, there is dirt everywhere. Things which i never, ever thought abt earlier. But now... I know my future wife is gonna be really happy to know all this

• Now moving out of the house. Seeing the people here in Europe has opened my eyes to a completely new way of looking at life. The amount of time that parents spend here with the kids is just fantastic. Be it cycling, roller skating or playing soccer, Parents here give quality time to their kids. Work is important but more important than family, never.

• The educational system here emphasis more on practical training rather than theoritical knowledge. For us, we have just a summer training for 2 months, these guys have to do 6-8 months throughout their masters. For us exams are the ultimate test where u just eat n vomit the book. Here grades are on basis of practical work u do.

• French are very open to others and their freedom of expression. Be it living in with ur boyfriend/girlfriend or kissing openly. If you love someone whats wrong if u stay together. As mature adults you have the right to live the way u want. No organisation or political party has the right to teach u the way to live. For Indians since these things are restricted they put too much importance to it. Here its as normal as any other factor of life

• Before coming to France loads of people told, "French are really hostile towards foreigners. They would talk in French even though they know English". But all this stereotyping ended once i came here. The most helpful people i have come across have been in France. Be it Pascal, whom i met in Besancon (he was out for a walk but ended up showing us the whole city for over 5 hours) or the sales woman at the SFR showroom (not knowing english she called up her friend who acted as interpreter on the phone) or our own landlady (the freedon that we got plus the first trip to the supermarket with her plus the dinner that she hosted). Hats off to all the wonderful people that i have met in this wonderful country.