From American High School to French Classrooms

Post written by Ambassador Abroad, Claudia, who participated in our High School Abroad Program in France for a Academic Semester!

From American High School to French Classrooms

I thought switching schools during my high school semester abroad meant new classmates and maybe harder classes, but moving from an American high school to a French one turned out to be a completely new way of learning and a different system!

Schedules

The first difference that could send the average American student into shock is the school schedule! In the US, we normally start around 8-9 am and finish at 3 pm. In France, however, school begins at 8 am and ends at around 6 pm! Oui-I know, I was taken aback too. “How do you fit any other extracurriculars into your day?” you might ask.

Most French students don’t do activities on school days-except Wednesdays. On Wednesday, we get to finish at noon! Honestly, although some days can get a little draining, Wednesdays feel like a mini weekend break in the middle of the week. Most students use this day for activities, and I usually go to the downtown area of Toulouse. Right now, I’m writing this blog in a cute cafe along the Garonne River!

Our weekly hours change day to day, so we don’t have class 8–6 every day. For example, my schedule is Monday 8–5:30, Tuesday 8–4:30, Wednesday 9–11, Thursday 8-4:30, and Friday 8–12. We repeat the same schedule every week.

Lunchtime Freedom

Lunch lasts one hour and thirty minutes! This feels like such a luxury, because back home, we only get about 30-45 minutes. Although, we are allowed to leave the school if we want during this time (or any free period you have, as long as you’re present in class). Near my high school, there’s a bakery, supermarket, gym, McDonald’s, and a clothing store. Students often walk around or grab lunch outside.

Phones are allowed on campus, but they are usually not used in class. We receive school computers, but we barely use them during lessons. Most work is done on paper.

Academics and Social Life

The school system is also different. In the US, students typically attend three years of middle school and four years of high school. In France, it’s four years of middle school and three of high school. Sophomore year is “Seconde,” Junior year is “Première,” and Senior year is “Terminale.”

School here is more academically focused than socially. Events and clubs are rare, and sports are only on Wednesdays with no competitive teams. My school has dance, MUN (in English!), and a few other activities, but it’s not like the amount of options back home.

Grading and Classroom Culture

French grading is out of 20, and teachers can be strict. Yet, as an exchange student, I’ve noticed teachers are welcoming but expect respect-always greeting them, waiting standing at your desk before sitting, and using the formal version of you: “vous” instead of “tu.” Class sizes are usually 30–35 students, but for some classes, we split into “demi-groups,” which allows for the teacher to focus on us more individually. For all our classes, we stick with the same people and don’t have any classes with other grades.

Conclusion

Overall, attending a high school in a different country has been a mix of surprises, learning experiences, and cultural differences. It gives me more of an open mind and is a challenge that will help me grow. If you’re interested in studying abroad, I highly recommend exploring all CIEE’s high school abroad programs!