I have enjoyed becoming more immersed in French culture by having an inside look at the workplace. Even though it is an American company, everyone speaks French together. At lunch it is difficult to connect with them because they speak in French even though they can speak English if they want to. They are kind, however, and asked us many questions about our school and time in Paris during the first couple days. They are also surprisingly hilarious and sarcastic. I love the way they phrase their English when they are making a joke. It is much more creative because they know less words in English.

During one of our conversations in Paris, Jeff made an interesting comment about the French education system. His impression is that in America, universities are much more concerned with what a student learns by the end of their time attending the school. In France, their mindset is that you go after what you want to learn, it is not fed to you. I see this attitude in EON culture. Everyone moves independently and expects us to do the same. They do not ask how we are doing, it is our responsibility to ask for help if we need it. I enjoy this because I love learning and solving problems alone, but I do not enjoy asking for help. I have been stretched in situations where I genuinely do not know what to do.

I would like to have some deeper conversations with the people there, but I have not had a good chance to. One thing I have been most amazed by is how willing they are to drive us home if they see us walking on the side of the road. I would be surprised to experience this in even America. In the future, we are planning to go out for pizza and I hope that this will be a time we can get to know them better.