Summary
DIARY OF A FRENCH GIRL is the personal journal of a young French traveller who shares with us her perspectives, experiences and insights into the English Diaspora. It is a unique opportunity for Anglophones to take a look into a magic French mirror and to examine themselves through the eyes of a Francophone. On a broader level, this book also serves to prepare all global travellers for the experiences and emotions they will encounter as they journey through different time zones, lands, languages, people and cultures. It offers useful information and coping strategies to all those who embark on foreign sojourns whether in cultures diametrically opposed to their own, or those that (deceptively) appear similar. It is particularly valuable in recommending strategies as to how to successfully negotiate the challenging cultural transitions both on the journey and on returning home as a culturally enlightened global adventurer.
Product Details
File Size: 651 KB
Print Length: 215 pages
Publisher: Bond University Press; 1 edition (April 29, 2012)
Publication Date: April 29, 2012
Sold by: Amazon.com Services LLC
Language: English
ASIN: B007YWXIBA
Diary of a French Girl
Kindle Edition
Product Price
from $15.00
Marie-Claire Patron 
Très enrichissant – Very usefull
Une experience enrichissante et parfaitement analysée à travers un récit du quotidien. Aussi simple qu’efficace.
Si partir à l’aventure vous tente et que l’adaptation est une de vos préoccupation ce livre est une solution, une explication.
A great analysis of a true story well analysed and explained.
If you wish to leave everything but you worried about your integration, this book is an answer.
LikeLike
The story of culture shock and it’s many forms
Diary of a French Girl is the recount of a young french women’s journey to Australia, and the cultural barriers she faces in her living arrangements, university life, and general experiences of being a temporary Sydney resident.
While not a work of fiction, the book definitely sucks the reader into the world of the subject, retold through a balance of academic analysis by the author and through journal pages of the subject herself.
With large chunks of the subject’s journal (in French) punctuating the book, one is spared from the feeling of battling through what is essentially an academic work. The french journal entries are accompanied by English translations, and in doing so it becomes accessible to both the mono- and bilingual readership.
Humourous, and a bit of a trial of errors for our subject, the book uses the age old subject matter of culture-shock to analyse the psychological experiences of intercultural nomads. Naturally, the book comes from the perspective of a French study abroad student, but the subject’s experiences help to support the universality of the author’s analysis.
LikeLike
Illuminating
I took this book on a work trip when I’d just started working in Higher Education. It was easy to read, fun, interesting and illuminating … I looked at the journey for an international student through a new lens.
LikeLike
Delightful read for and about international university students
Some university academics have a gift for writing their research in a form that is approachable and entertaining, while still maintaining rigour. The author of “Diary of a French Girl” is such an academic. Providing university education to international students is Australia’s third-highest export industry. Many universities struggle to support international students to have an optimal learning experience. This book allows university professors and other personnel to get in-the-head of a French student. Beyond this practical rationale for reading the book, it is simply a good read. I started it to learn more about internationalisation, but then couldn’t put it down, and read it in one sitting. I was absolutely delighted with the book’s main character and loved sharing in her story.
LikeLike
Enlightening but Readable
I bought this book as a gift for the young French au pair who is caring for our two grandchildren. She enjoyed it immensely and it helped her feel more confident with her English given the translations throughout the work. However, I managed to read it before passing it on as a gift and found it a delight. It is a solid academic work but written in such an accessible style and reflects both on French and Australian cultures with humour and insight. Look forward to subsequent editions.
LikeLike
Important insight into culture shock
This book accurately describes the challenges that people face when they are living in another culture, and the difficulty that they have when they return to their home culture. The story is interesting and anyone who has lived outside their home country for an extended period will relate to the emotions described in the book.
LikeLike
I wish I had read it before my first study abroad
This book is a must-read for anyone who is planning to study and live abroad. It is also a must-read for anyone whose partner is planning to study and live abroad. Parents and grandparents, sisters and brothers of international students might want to read it too. And if you have a close friend going away for a year or more, this book might help you keep your friendship strong. Thrilling as it is, living and studying in a foreign country is not an easy thing to do. ‘Diary of a French girl’ will prepare you well for the challenge. It will also show how much support from family and friends international students need when they are away. The book is fun to read, and being a solid academic work it shows a common pattern of culture shock and recovery through the eyes of a young French girl in Australia. If I had read this book before my first study overseas, I would have had better control over my life and could have avoided a lot of unnecessary drama.
LikeLike
Very Relatable
I read this book after my semester abroad in Australia and was able to relate to a lot of situations. Being European I was able to understand very well what Natalie is going through. It was also interesting to get to know Natalies perspective on the French culture. Some prejudices were confirmed and from my own experience I can support her statement that abroad you learn to appreciate your home country more. Overall, I can highly recommend to read this book either before going abroad to be prepared or after to feel a little nostalgic and cope with reverse culture shock.
LikeLike