Sarah is a 20-year-old junior from Wellesley College studying art history and French cultural studies in Paris. It is interesting to see her perspective from abroad on politics and on the economy.
“My parents and some of my friends asked me how France views the current financial crisis in the United States which leads me to believe that a lot of the people in the U.S. have NO IDEA that the whole world is now completely destroyed economically. Everyday, in every paper in Paris, there is an article on the financial crisis now in France, not just the United States. What is France’s reaction? They are angry at themselves for being so dependent on the U.S. The G7 had to meet, this and that International organization had to meet, et cetera et cetera. A quote I got from a French newspaper said that “French banks will never be the same after this.”
What is my reaction? Well, my sadistic reaction is that, at least the Euro is going down with the dollar. I had to take out a lot of money to go to Germany last weekend, and needless to say, when I looked at my bank account, I was a little horrified. I also have to add that I’m also thrilled to look for a job in 2010.
As far as this upcoming election goes, the vast majority of French people are, of course, pro-Obama. And by vast, I mean over 80%. They ask me what I think about Sarah Palin, and tell me that they were sad to see Hillary go (this totally shocked me). All French adults I’ve talked to so far have told me they would rather Hillary had gotten the nomination than Obama, but “sadly, it’s too late.” I miss Hillary too, but I like Obama.
Continuing in the trend of political blogging, I just received my absentee ballot a week ago. A lot of people my age are refusing to vote, which annoys me a little. I don’t necessarily find the act of voting in the United States very empowering anymore, but I also feel like, if you don’t vote, you do not have the right to complain about U.S politics for the next four years, and I treasure moments where I can complain about our bureaucracy.”
5 responses so far ↓
1 Shorty Do-op // Oct 10, 2008 at 9:07 am
I had a similar experience studying abroad…the world is sooo liberal
2 jay // Oct 10, 2008 at 9:47 am
thank you for sharing the global perspective. i’m one of those people you talk about hwo had no idea what was happening in america was efectign the rest of the world this much. shows how out of touch i am.
3 Chris Riley // Oct 10, 2008 at 9:48 am
Why do you say people your age are refusing to vote? Have you spoken with Americans who have expressed that opinion? Why do you think that would be?
4 Margie // Oct 10, 2008 at 10:33 am
I had similar experiences while studying abroad during the 2004 US Presidential elections. While it was frustrating to hear the endless criticism of the US from the Europeans I interacted with, it helped validate my study abroad experience and appreciate the power we hold as American citizens.
5 Kim // Oct 14, 2008 at 10:59 am
What I found interesting when I was studying abroad (London, 01) was the way that people would ask why our government would do certain things, most often “Why are you in Afghanistan?” I remember being amazed that I was being asked to represent the views/motives of the entire country just because I was there.
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