2025「わか杉のさと奨学金」奨学生　C.S.さん

2025年9月30日
読了時間: 4分

　高校生の長期留学を支援する制度がほとんどない秋田県において、国際教養大学（AIU）の学生たちが秋田県高校留学推進委員会を設立し、高校生の”挑戦したい”という気持ちを応援すべく、長期留学を全額助成で後押しする「わか杉のさと奨学金」。　

　2025年の奨学生であるC.S.さんのフランス留学体験談を共有します。今回は一部英語での作文にもトライしてくれています！

ぜひお楽しみください！

The different of dining culture 〜The culture that enjoying the time with close people〜

　 After three months in France, I’ll introduce the dining French culture that differs greatly from Japan. The value of eating is only enjoying dishes but communicating with others in France. Eating at home is an important part of one's personal life. That is why I consider it an important factor for the issue of declining birthrates and aging population. It is shown by the length of time spent preparing and eating and who to eat with. I’ll explain with these 2 points.

In France, people spend less time preparing and cleaning up meals than in Japan. Basically French meals are one-plate dishes and used in an oven. Seasoning is simpler than in Japan. Also many houses have dishwashing machines. The time spent both before and after eating is very short. In contrast, eating time is very long. There is a culture called aperitif in France. On Friday night, for example, French people enjoy snacks and hors d'oeuvre before meals. After that they have main dishes, desserts, cheeses and hot drinks. The way of eating is completely different from one in Japan. Moreover, they have meals with not only family but colleges or relatives several times in a month. It has such opportunities in Japan too, however they are extremely few. Long meals are also a time for peaceful conversation and laughter. They taste delicious meals and enjoy talking with others. It must be a happinessful time. This culture could influence happiness in relationships and daily life.

By spending time in France, I could realize the importance of eating. It has a value that people can communicate naturally and feel happy. Family time around the table while talking is much more comfortable. I feel that French culture that values time with close people is nice. That must increase the happiness in daily life.

To Make Akita a Better Place to Raise Children

　I’ll take up the ease of raising children in France and suggest an idea for Akita. In France, people who don't know each other converse as if they're friends, such distance between the people is delightful for families with children. I'll tell you my experience in St-Malo. My friends and I took a bus. The bus was crowded and full of kindergartners. They couldn’t all sit in seats. They looked so dangerous, however we failed to act. At that moment, the coordinator accompanying us spoke to the kindergarten teacher and then picked up the child. She continued to carry the child to our destination. I was surprised but it was normal. They make casual small talk and become friends for a moment. It is an easy living environment for families with children. Because it is easy for people around them to show favoritism forward to their children.

　What about Akita, then? Are we negative toward children? I don't think so. Our problem is just not having the opportunity of conversion. Have you spoken to the person seated next to you in a bus? What are you doing for a crying child and his parents? Even if you don't mind his cry, his parents will be sorry because of no conversation. To start a conversation, I'll suggest greetings to the person sitting next to you. It comes from another French culture that brings people closer together. In France, when people enter stores or public transactions, they must greet their employees. I believe that this greeting is a conversation starter for them.

　The recent shift to nuclear families in Japan has made it more difficult for parents to raise their children. The parents will be comfortable by the positive acceptance they receive of their children, even if people around them couldn't help them directly. All of us know that habitants of Akita are kindful. It's certain that we start greetings to each other as a neighbor.

10ヶ月の留学を経て

　この10か月間、私はフランスでの子育ての様子について、実際に見たり聞いたりすることで日本との共通点や違いなどを見つけるという目標のもと生活してきた。そんな私の留学で達成できたこと、そしてできなかったことを述べる。　

　達成できたことは、5人の子供を育てるホストファミリーにフランスでの子育てについて尋ねることだ。私のホストファミリーは、彼らの職業としてホストシスターに加え5歳から10歳までの4人の子どもを育てている。日々彼らの子育ての様子をより深く理解するために直接尋ね動画にまとめた。動画内では彼らの職業について、そしてフランスで子育てをする利点と欠点について尋ねた。利点として、フランスの少子化対策が両親たちに精神的な余裕を与えていることがわかった。

　そして達成できなかったことは、託児所のボランティアだ。子育ての様子を知るだけではなく、実際に経験することで気づくことがあると思いさがしたものの、ついにチャレンジすることができなかった。子どもたちは毎日たくさん喋り、また喧嘩もする。彼らを育てるということ自体がとても大変なことだが、一般的な家庭は自身の仕事と両立させなければならない。改めて子育て世代の大変さを実感した。ボランティア活動はその苦労を自分で味わう機会だったため、とても悔しく思っている。

　今回の留学で、フランスでの子育ての様子、そして子育ての大変さについて理解を深めることができたと思う。今後はこれらの発見をどうやって秋田のために生かしていくか考えていきたい。