The French education system looks quite different from back home in the United States. While the general structure of teaching different subjects generally remains mostly intact, the way these subjects are taught and the different pathways available to students differs greatly. The structure of higher education in particular initially confused me, but after having studied here for several months I finally have a better grip on it.
La Terminale: The Final Year of High School
In French high schools (lycée), students can choose one of three pathways: le baccalauréat général (bac) aimed for those looking to pursue studying at university, le baccalauréat technologique (bac technologique) and le baccalauréat professionnel (bac pro) that train students for students for specific jobs (e.g. to become a social worker or an electrician).
Students exiting their final year of high school (la terminale) following the bac général take the baccalauréat exam to enter into French universities.
