Chen Chia-ling, who studied French at university, came to Lyon to attend French classes for a year and then formally go to university. She applied to go to both the departments of economics and education.

"The nature of the two departments is completely different. Which subject were you really most interested in and in which did you have the strongest background?"

Facing this question, she shrugs and says, "The two departments were the same. Without interest or foundation, whichever will take me, I will go for it." The reason for applying to these two departments is, "That is where there are most students from Taiwan, so at least I will know a bit about the conditions."

Chen Chia-ling is not an extraordinary case. "Don't know what to study," is a common phenomenon among students from Taiwan at Lyon.

Four cold walls and a solitary light: The restlessness of the students from Taiwan at Lyon is great. The majority of them come to study language and, after a few months, without having settled down, they are off again. The number who are studying in earnest there is not more than about ten.

Because of language restrictions, most of the people who come are graduates from French departments. "Having studied French for four years in Taiwan, they still have an illiterate feel about them on arrival." Most of the foreign students have this feeling. After strengthening their language skills there are not many left who have it in them to attack French literature. Most of them change departments.

"There is no student organization here. Everyone is dispersed among isolated departments." Lin Shu-ching, who is taking her master's in economics at Lyon's Second University, describes the situation when you have just arrived and are suffering from homesickness, as "four cold walls and a solitary light."

The "master's class" is in fact really the fourth year of university, which is in accordance with French custom. The French system of study divides higher education into three stages: The first stage, encompassing the first two years of university, is a kind of general education. The second stage marks the beginning of specialist education and also takes two years. After completing the first year of this stage you attain your degree; at the end of the second year you have to submit a thesis and graduate to the level of master. The third stage is the doctorate. This can take a long time--many people are still there after eight or ten years. (See Sinorama May, 1978, for details of the French education system).

After students from Taiwan have strengthened their language ability, they begin studies with the third or fourth year. It seems there are no exceptions, but all have to face the same difficulties. Apart from language difficulties, the lack of specialist knowledge and their being strangers to Europe are also causes of trouble.

Less than the best will do: "Many French students at language school study for two degrees. Language is a tool which is complemented by cultivating a background in another specialty. It is not very easy to study for two degrees in Taiwan, but you can study for credits. You must at least have decided your direction before you leave the country and lay down some kind of foundation through self-study," says Lien Yi-hui who has been studying in France for two years and is currently reading in education but who has also suffered from a lack of specialist knowledge, as she strolls in the grounds of Lyon's Second University.

As we speak, a Chinese girl comes to ask in broken French at the office of the language school about where the French language class is. She has just come from Taiwan and is also a graduate in French, planning to first strengthen her language before going into university.

"What do you plan to study?" she's asked.

"Anything. It depends on which department will take me."

A very knowing answer.

[Picture Caption]

The student canteen is very cheap. A meal costs about 10 francs.

(Right) Under the French system if your grades are not up to scratch then you have to take the whole year again, so examination time is tense and even rest times are frenetic.

A small cupboard? All residents have a small space in the dormitory kitchens. The cheap accomodation attracts many overseas students.

A small cupboard? All residents have a small space in the dormitory kitchens. The cheap accomodation attracts many overseas students.

（Right） Under the French system if your grades are not up to scratch then you have to take the whole year again, so examination time is tense and even rest times are frenetic.