interview with Haneen, a student at the Université Jean Moulin Lyon 3

Context

In 2015, the Université de Lyon, the Métropole de Lyon, the Région Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes and the University Collective for supporting Syrian students launched a large-scale financial, administrative and psychological support program for Syrian students.
Its goal? To give ten Syrian students, selected based on their academic performance, the opportunity to pursue their studies in France whilst the crisis in Syria prevents them from studying at home.
At the start of the 2016 academic year, following a year-long intensive French language course at the Université Lumière Lyon 2's International Center for French Studies (CIEF), the students started specific teaching programs in line with the courses they were taking in Syria.
These accounts are not intended to reflect on their past and the difficult situation in Syria. Instead, they aim to focus on the students' university careers, their new lives in France, their plans and the future.

Haneen, a student at the Université Jean Moulin Lyon 3

Haneen studied Psychology for two years in Syria at Tishreen University in Latakia, on the Mediterranean coast. Haneen is currently enrolled in the first year of his law degree at the Université Jean Moulin Lyon 3, having arrived in September 2015.

Hello Haneen. You have been studying law, which is a really hard subject for international students, for two years now. How did you find it at the start?

I sometimes found it difficult to follow the law lectures and to understand the intricacies of the French language. I also spent a lot of time learning the vocabulary and language used in French law.

I found it especially hard to meet people at the start because they are so many people on my course. I just had acquaintances at the start. We came from very different cultures.

Would you say that you experienced some sort of culture shock when you arrived?

Yes, particularly with personal relationships. I found that people were very individualist. Generally speaking, I didn't think that people were very nice. In particular, people weren't very patient in shops. When I arrived, I remember being told off by a supermarket cashier because I was too slow, but it was all new for me!

Please reassure us - are things better now?

Yes, of course! Luckily, I also met other people, particularly Master's students from my university who were more open to talking and to international news. These people helped me find ways to adapt to my new life in France. Now I have true friends from Lyon!

Have they shown you the city of Lyon and its cuisine?

DGenerally speaking, I don't really like French food, especially the cheese. However, I do love the pastries, especially almond croissants. I often go to the bakery near my accommodation and the shop assistants always know what I want!

That's great. Has it taken time to get accustomed and adapt to your new surroundings?

I hated Lyon when I arrived, but that was strongly linked to my personal situation. I was in France, separated from my family. I was depressed. I really like Lyon now. The quality of life in this city is really great. I recently went to Germany and I said to myself, "No, I prefer Lyon". It's my city.

Now that you know Lyon well, have you had time to broaden your horizons and visit other places, particularly in the region?

I would really like to visit other places in the region. In particular, people have talked about the town of Annecy, which looks really beautiful. But my studies take up a lot of my time...

You are currently studying for your law degree. Do you plan to pursue your studies in France after you finish your support program?

First of all, I would like to finish my law degree in France, because, even though there are a few differences, the Syrian legal system is relatively similar to French law.

In the long term, I would like to become a lawyer and practice law in Syria. If possible, I would like to specialize in family law or even do a Master's in international law.