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Why I Fell in Love with the French (and Not Just Paris)
When I was in college, I was part of a student organization whose goal is to facilitate the onboarding of international students by organizing meetups, dinners, and events.
I met and spent a lot of time with students from all walks of life. Among them, I found a special connection with French.
This bond wasn’t just about shared interests or hobbies; it went deeper, touching on I believe shared values, philosophies, and outlooks on life.
Something about their simplicity, authenticity, and rawness fascinated me.
I met more than twenty French students in college. Not all at the same time. But I’ve always found myself spending time with them. Hanging out. Going out. Drinking at a local bar. Eating at a Chinese restaurant.
As a matter of fact, my go-to friend group in college consisted of 60% French. I’ve always felt home with them. Always felt happy with them.
It’s funny because a lot of Americans dislike French people as they can come off as rude or uptight. Some even complain about how they reek of cigarettes. I even have friends of mine who had terrible experience when they visited Paris because of these and some say it’s overrated.
