The Value of French Cultural and Intercultural Capital Abroad

Abstract

A dramatically different scenario compared to the last chapter, has emerged from my data on the intercultural experiences of French nationals, expatriate graduates and mid-career graduates. The transnational experiences of both cohorts of my study have produced intercultural individuals who are open-minded, tolerant and fulfilled. They return home as proactive members of their society equipped with innovative ideas, keen to initiate progressive changes to their immediate and external environment. However it appears these ideas are tantamount to notions of grandeur and they are promptly put back in their place. The findings of this study are similar to those emerging from my previous research on acculturation and reentry (Patron, 2007, 2009) where re-adjustment difficulties and insular attitudes of some French people are concerned. The trajectory of studies and work experience carried out abroad for the participants of this inquiry vary considerably as do their age groups as the objective was to present a cross-section of scenarios.