Top five differences between French and American university students

That is, as far as I can tell.

1. They read. Like a lot. And for pleasure. Any time there is any situation in which they have to wait (like if a professor is late or they’re riding home on the metro), French students will whip out their literature. And I’m not saying literature in the broad sense–you won’t see any Twilight translations or beach fluff. You’ll see Sartre or Camus.
2. Sweatpants are no where to be seen. Everybody looks decent for class–even the ones that are 9:00 in the morning. This means full makeup, luscious hair, and trendy outfit. And that’s just the boys…
3. They are really into their note-taking. First of all, you won’t see any computers in class. On the rare occasion that you do, these students are never on the internet shopping, chatting, or watching last night’s football game. But what really impressed me was the care many French students put into writing pretty, organized, and clear notes. This involves many different colors, indents, font sizes, etc….
4. If a French student comes in late to class, s/he won’t just sneak to the back of the room. S/he will actually say, “Bonjour” to the professor, who is then obliged to stop lecturing and say “Bonjour” back.
5. They wear these really tiny, funny-looking backpacks

–Maria