Financially speaking, times are tough in education. People are therefore understandably asking whether or not trips involving studying abroad in France can justify the cost and effort involved. We offer a resounding yes! Why is France so popular for studying abroad? Taking a trip for study purposes to France is popular and it always has been - at least since the middle of the 20th century. Why is that? Well, there are certain practical considerations: • It's close at hand therefore easy to get to • Traditionally, France has always encouraged and welcomed educational tours from overseas. That's part of its long-established policy of proliferating an awareness of French culture and removing the mutual misunderstandings, suspicions and hostility between Europeans that has led to so many wars in the past. • It's easy to get around and it's also a great chance to practice that GCSE French. However, none of these are necessarily evidence that students learn very much from such trips - so do they really? Again, we say most certainly. Why is France different? One reason why studying abroad in France is so beneficial is that it can make students aware there is a different and sometimes almost alien world-view that exists only 20 miles from parts of the coast of England. Through the 19th and 20th centuries, much of the world has adopted what the French call 'Anglo-Saxon' values. The use of Anglo-Saxon here is somewhat vague and generally applies to the United Kingdom and USA, but also sometimes to other parts of the English-speaking world such as Australia. The values of this French perspective 'cultural grouping' have proliferated and are seen to be very much those of consumerism, commercialism, unbridled competition, profit-above-all capitalism and individualism as survival-of-the-fittest in social and economic terms. By contrast, the traditional French social and economic approach has inclined much more towards collectivism, socialism, regulation, control and state-centric activity. It doesn't really matter which set of values you adhere to or believe in, what is important for students is to see and experience a different set of views and values. It's about opening minds and thinking outside of the cultural box we grow up in.
How is this visible? Clearly, if you're walking around the Eiffel Tower you're not going to see these philosophical differences, but you might elsewhere! For example, when staying in small town or even village in France, you'll see just how much more of a day-to-day role in life is played by the Mairie (town hall) than the equivalent in a British town. Visiting French commercial institutions is also fascinating, as you'll typically see a very different take on life, including the rights of employees, attitudes to pricing and competition. Social structures and benefits in France also reflect these differences hugely, as students see when they look at things such as social benefits and health care provisions. French people also have very different systems relating to things such as credit, finance in general and savings. So, yes, studying abroad in France is hugely beneficial for young people. It gives a mirror-image of the way things are done in many other countries of the world and that has to be mind-broadening for students. Angela Bowden works for EST (Equity School Travel), the UK's largest educational travel company, providing opportunities for studying abroad. EST encompasses a wide range of learning opportunities in worldwide destinations.
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