4 tips for Getting Acclimated to a Nantaise Lifestyle

The first few weeks in a new place is always challenging. Adapting to new surroundings, new ways of doing things, new routines and new faces is hard. Think back to your first week at college, and the overwhelming excitement laced with a little bit of apprehension. It’s okay - everyone feels this way! Accept the strangeness and realize that after a while it’ll be natural for you.

1. Eat a Snack

   One of the biggest differences between American and French diets is the time people eat. The French eat a small breakfast mostly of just bread and jam, and a normal sized lunch. Dinner in France for most Americans feels SUPER late, from 7:30 to 8:00 pm. With all of that time, you’ll get hungry! French people have what they call a “goûter”, or snack, around 4:00pm. Relax on a bench in the Cours Cambronne or on the steps of the Opera in Place Graslin with a coffee and a pastry to fill the gap between lunch and dinner. La Viennoise right next to Place Graslin (2 minutes from IES Abroad) is phenomenal, and they have everything from sandwiches to cookies.  

   That being said, if the schedule isn’t working for you, you can always do your own thing! If you usually eat a big breakfast, you might feel sluggish in the morning and need a little pick-me-up then. It’s all about trying new routines and finding what works for you. I’d recommend trying the French routine first, just to get the cultural experience. You might not think it’ll work for you, but after a few weeks, it’ll feel natural and maybe even better than your routine back home!

2. Walk Around

   The first week or two can seem slow, with no classes except orientation, which doesn’t last the whole day and gives you plenty of time to sit and… do what? I chose to walk. I love walking, and I think it’s an underrated pastime, especially in a completely new city. I wander, I roam, I take pictures, I watch people, I watch their dogs. Not only is it entertaining, but it will help you get situated in Nantes! I’ve stumbled upon some of my favorite spots in Nantes during my aimless wanderings. 

   Right next to IES, there’s the Place Graslin and the Place Royale, two huge squares filled with people at any time of day, great for people watching. The Passage Pommeraye and surrounding Centre-Ville is endlessly entertaining for shoppers and window-shoppers alike. If it’s windy and cold, duck into one of the fairy-tale style bookstores or into a café for a nice hot chocolate or cappuccino. Seeing Nantes at walking speed is one of the best ways to get a feel for this vibrant, bustling city and find your own favorite spots. 

3. Stay Present 

   It’s definitely tempting to retreat into your shell at first, as everything is so unfamiliar and unfamiliarity, in general, is not something we like. Try to stay off your phone, computer, whatever else that may take out of the present moment. This is a fantastic, new, exciting experience, and you should try to absorb it all. Talk to people (in French), make friends, wander around, take in your new home. 

   This is not to say that you should always be out and about, and never rest. Take time to yourself if you're feeling overwhelmed or tired. Remember to stay in the moment and not focus too much on what’s going on back home or on your campus. You are likely only here for a semester, so make it count!

4. Remember to pack your good habits

   If you have routines and rituals that keep you centered at home, make sure to take them with you to Nantes. If you run, pack your running shoes. If you do yoga, make sure you fit it into your day here. Bring along the book you’re reading or the knitting project you’re halfway through. The things that make you happy and healthy at home can do the same, just make sure to branch out and find some new ones in Nantes as well!

   I hope these tips help you find your balance in your first few weeks in Nantes, and remember that it takes time to get comfortable in a new place with new customs and new people. Give yourself time to adapt and you’ll feel right at home before you know it! 

Once I memorized my buses and trams, I felt almost like a native because I didn’t even need my phone to get around. It’s a great feeling knowing that you’re familiar with the layout of the city and you can get to class at IES Abroad and at Nantes University like any other Nantais(e). That was my sort of "clicking moment" of feeling at home in a foreign country. You’ll have the same moment where you all of a sudden realize you’re no longer a visitor in but a resident of this amazing city.