Although some may argue that the All-American Dream is better than La Vie Française, I as a member of both cultures can argue that I significantly prefer France much more. Not only have I altered my behavior and moved from one country to another, but I have witnessed first-hand the ways in which an adolescent like myself has the ability to view and differentiate the ways in which life and culture presents itself differently and better.
After being born and raised in the state of California for sixteen years, a move to France certainly brought into perspective the life I was accustomed to living and the life which I was about to embark on. Although I was already very familiar with France and grew up speaking the language, I never truly experienced living on a day to day basis with routines and responsibilities to fulfill. It certainly was a shock and an adjustment to integrate myself socially into such a culture and school system, but my eternal fascination and passion for the country and all the aspects it has to offer drove me to become an all-around French women.
In France, I am granted the right to be more of an independent person. It is seen in the way in which the education system requires more from the students, the way in which adolescents can get around independently, and the way in which people my age and every age in general are very aware of their culture.
Even though I love adhering to the way that requires me to truly go beyond my limits educationally, it is also the little things that make me love my lifestyle more in France. I love taking the bus and tram after school and admiring my beautiful surroundings as I walk home. I love going downtown on the weekends to have lunch, walk through shops, or even just people-watch with my friends. But in the end, most of all I love finally being able to truly exercise the culture I prefer and have always been pulled to the most. Staying home and constantly depending on my parents to take me where I needed to be, not experiencing a true sense of culture and joy to be alive, and being surrounded by an education system that asked so little of its students really does not take the crown when comparing France and America.
I have nothing against my home and I grew to love and understand my way of life in America, but I have a new home now and I’m at the edge of my seat to see what I will find next.
Palm Desert, California 
Dijon, France
Camille
