I have been taking orientation classes all this week, which aren't what I would call orientation classes at home. They're for international students, so they're in French, covering mostly the style of the French universities and an overview of modern French social/political issues. So, they're kind of an introduction to, "Here, this is where you'll be living and how you'll be studying for the next semester." I'd like to say they are super helpful - don't get me wrong, it's good to have a transition between winter break and classes starting - but my French 410 class at SLU was about modern France, so a lot of the social stuff, we covered there. But it's not bad to have a refresher course.
A typical day this week has consisted of going to class in the morning (at 10 am, usually), having an hour break for lunch, and then having class again from 1pm-3pm, or 2-4pm, or something like that. An afternoon class. For lunch, I've gone to the little university cafe every day. They have sandwiches, salads, some hot entrees, and fruit, I think... I've just gotten a sandwich so far. And coffee. The sandwich is apparently the French lunch staple. They're a bit different though - usually a baguette cut in half, with a little bit of something on the inside. Tuesday I had a ham sandwich which was literally a piece of ham and some butter on a baguette. Then Wednesday or Thursday, I had a ham and cheese sandwich, which left out the butter, but had lettuce on it. Woohoo, livin' big! (The food at my apartment has been much better!)
After classes I've done a few different things. Mostly run errands to get myself settled here. On Wednesday, I actually didn't have any classes, so I tried to pick up my credit card from the bank, and then get a cell phone (for which I need said credit card). Wednesday was also the first day of "les soldes" here (tangent on that to follow), so I was going to go shopping. I therefore left my passport at home, because I had heard some horror stories about people getting their wallets stolen with their passports in them. Turns out, I needed my passport to get my credit card. And a copy wouldn't suffice. So, I couldn't get my credit card or my cell phone. Luckily, I made sure to remember my passport on Thursday, so I got both of those things taken care of, accompanied by my fabulous program director, Laurie, who assisted if I needed any translation help. Conclusion of this story: I have a credit card and cell phone now! It's like I really live here! :)
"Les soldes" are a fabulously exciting, also sometimes stressful, French phenomenon. Stores are legally not allowed to have sales whenever they want. (Solde = sale; les soldes = the sales.) The French government regulates that they can have sales twice a year, in January and in July. So the winter sales started this past week, on Wednesday! They last about 5 weeks. I hit a few of them up on Wednesday, but am SURE to return later, as they keep reducing the prices. On Wednesday things were on sale between 30-50%, but they lower them to around 70%, my host mom told me. I bought a few things I "needed" on Wednesday - a wallet, a large purse (which I will use as a school bag. backpacks aren't very common here.), a French- French dictionary (very exciting), and a sweater for 50% off (because I actually only brought 2 by accident - if you know me, you know how much I adore sweaters. this was a must)! It was a pretty productive day! :)
La rue de la République - one of the major commercial streets, where I did my shopping. (note: the French equivalent of canvassers to the left. I was so excited.) It was super busy.
This post is getting somewhat long - sorry, and hope you're sticking with me! On Friday after class, I went to grab coffee with a couple of other international students - one from Germany, one from Australia, and one from China. We have quite the diverse group going. :) It's really fun to chat with them and learn about the differences between all of our different cultures. Oh, and to talk politics, of course. Because that's what I do... I found out that it's mandatory to vote in Australia. Like, if you don't, you get fined. This system obviously has its flaws, as does every system, but I find this better than trying to restrict people's right to vote like we do in the US.... I digress. Anyways, it's been cool. Also, I think the US is the only country ever to have such a high drinking age. And apparently American zippers are backwards. The important things I've learned so far.
I'll add another post shortly with some more pictures! If you haven't seen them already, I posted an album of photos on facebook: this link should work!
A toute à l'heure!
Emma
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