and member of the Club International des Jeunes à Paris
(français) |
William Castillo, a 32 year old student in sociology and comparative politics at Paris University 10. |
"Rediscover your culture and discover others"
Just after turning 32 years old, William Castillo already has a long course behind him. Born in the south of Mexico, in the province of Tabasco where cocoa comes from, he has lived since he was 14 in Mexico. Arriving mid-September 2005 to Paris, he began a Master's program of sociology -comparative politics at Paris 10, a diploma which appears to be the logical follow up to his 4 years of studies in international relations in Mexico. He also worked for the government in his home country and doesn't hope to stop there ... the future president?
Meeting with a member of the Club International turns to the future.
What do you think of life in France?
It's an enigmatic, interesting country. I love French, the cliché world is right: it's a very romantic language! France has the same roots as Spain. It's a developing country with many problems. For example, I think that the CPE (Contrat Premiere Embauche) is in regression and it's because of this that there are many demonstrations.
Otherwise, I love the culture and the museums. I study also and the education is maybe a little repetitive but it's another view. Otherwise, I love the culture and the museums. The history is different and it's interesting to be able to compare the evolution of my country and that of France. Here, unlike Mexico, the levels of life are more or less equivalent.
What surprised you or shocked you when you arrived in Paris?
In Mexico, I studies French for five years and the first thing that shocked me was an announcement by the RATP concerning the vigilance of the train stations: I don't understand anything! I told myself "Oh my God!" Here, like in Mexico, the population is stressed, but the people become aggressive more quickly. They go even until hitting others in the métro with a certain hypocrisy: they push but excuse themselves right afterward. On the other hand, I have the impression that the generation of the 35 and 40 year olds has some difficulties sometimes accepting the immigrants. You can see they have a fear or a ratio of competition. I am not a victim, I have many good French friends, but I was able to observe that in the métro.
And what do you think of Paris apart from all that?
It's a city that pleases me enormously because of its liberal society. For example, you can see homosexual couples in the street, which is impossible in Mexico. I observe the people a lot and I noticed that the French are more serene than the Mexicans. That is seen in the métro: when the people are lost in their thoughts, they look often up, head in the air, whereas in Mexico, people have their heads lowered all the time and are preoccupied by their "immediate" problems.
I like the mentality of the citizens a lot, and the numerous cultural activities. I think that the people are more cultivated than elsewhere. All of the people read in the métro. It's possible to have culturally higher discussions with the French. And if I had the money, I would buy an apartment in Paris!
Outside of your studies, how do you spend your free time?
I take part in a Mexican folk dance group in the Mexican house (at the Cité Universitaire Internationale). It's a good hobby; we make a presentation almost every month. The Club International sold tickets for the last show and the members come to see us. The Cité Universitaire is a region where you can meet people from the entire world. Otherwise, a good part of my free time is occupied by the activities of the Club!
How did you discover the Club International? What do you think of it?
A friend from the Mexican house invited me to the Club, I didn't know anything. I therefore decided to take an excursion to Giverny. Then, I frequently went to their website. It's a good idea for finding friends, knowing Paris or the other districts of France, in a friendly environment. I did as many activities as possible. The visits to the districts were marvelous, the guides explain everything. It's a good exercise for a foreigner. Thanks to these visits, I know Paris better than some of my friends who lived there for years. I followed the example of my friend who made me discover the Club by bringing my other friends to register themselves.
One last piece of advice for a foreign student who will soon step foot in Paris?
The only piece of advice: become a member of the Club International! It's the best medium to rediscover your culture while knowing the others. Otherwise, you must try to keep up to date with the cultural activities going on in the city. For example, on the website of Mairie de Paris. Good luck!
Interviewed by Christian Pambrun