As a French Erasmus student, I was initially surprised by the rhythm and structure of daily life in Liechtenstein. I’ve noticed that my German fellows, whether it is at uni or in the dorms, tend to have a different relationship with time management — being punctual, eating earlier, and generally following a more structured routine. I believe this relates to a berooted cultural mindset toward organization and, if I may say, a certain “straightforwardness.” Overall, and however, I've felt like the cultural differences are very subtle; they lay in the core part of the onion/iceberg cultural model.

Being a rather much extroverted person, I tend to express my thoughts in a passionate and spontaneous way — sometimes it could be even perceived as a bit “insurgent,” but it never comes with bad intentions. It could be explained by my French background and education, where speaking up and sharing one’s opinions and critics is part of deeper discussions (long dinners, philosophical debates, or our elongated moments around the table). I understand that in some other cultures, quietness and restraint are often more considered, as for Liechtensteiners, who seem to be generally quite discreet and value more their personal space and privacy. Conversations can be more reserved, especially at the beginning of relationships. It always depends on the context, obviously.

However, I’ve perceived a lot of similarities within my group of friends, as we more or less share the same generational references and lay on common grounds. I’ve really enjoyed talking openly about our differences — especially as a French person, since everyone seems to hold different clichés and a certain fascination/interest with French culture and language. I have for instance noticed that, not only in Vaduz, for a lot of stores, or menus in cafés, the use of French is very frequent regarding marketing purposes, and I am still a bit (positively) surprised to be able to observe our influence across the world. And, in addition, I’ve grasped that Liechtensteiners are familiar with Swiss and Austrian cultures. The country’s position between Switzerland and Austria naturally indulges a blend of influences that I have been able to spot.

Adaptation had to be implemented also regarding work hours. Living in Paris meant convenience for shopping hours, in the context of having an intense and fast life. Indeed, in Liechtenstein, on Saturdays, some shops close around 4:00–5:00 PM, and shops and offices also follow structured opening hours, typically from 8:00 or 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 or 6:00 p.m. Many are closed on Sundays, reflecting the country’s small size, being driven by a community factor. Restaurants may also have shorter lunch and dinner hours compared to France. This kind of life rhythm helps in creating a clear separation between professional and private life, something I found refreshing compared to the often more hectic pace in Paris.

Going on an Erasmus in Liechtenstein is, I guess, the opportunity for many students to be invited to slow down, as to appreciate these cultural "shocks", whether they are subtle or very much noticeable. On my side, I have been able to get more time for myself, make some new friends from all over the world and slowly create deep relationships with them, as I go on in life with a fresh start an even gain some perspective on my own life in France.

Staying in Liechtenstein has made me more aware of how cultural attitudes are shaped regarding time, work, and how all of these elements build our daily experiences. The contrasts and nuances between the French and Liechtenstein cultural ways taught me to appreciate both their straightforwardness and relationship with organization, blended with my own spontaneity!