These questions and answers were suggested by students.

 Daily life

 What should I pack? What’s the weather like?

 LAUREN: Pack clothes for all seasons – the weather is very variable. Bring an umbrella, a warm coat and scarf. But also bring spring clothes because it can be nice.

 SARAH: Do not pack too much. It is not worth it to lug your stuff around and to not necessarily have enough room for it all. Most important: khakis, jeans, cotton long-sleeved shirts, a winter wool coat, a rain coat (!!), an umbrella, some sweaters, a scarf, some nice clothes for going out to dinner, an opera dress if you want, good athletic shoes, boots, your favorite cosmetics/bathroom supplies because they are expensive here.

 BRYAN: As far as packing is concerned, set out everything you could possibly need and divide it into 2 piles. Choose one of these piles and divide it in two. Put one of these smaller piles in a suitcase and leave the rest at home. Although the weather is quite cold and miserable most of the year – something southerners like much less than northerners – DO NOT OVERPACK in the clothing department. Remember that you can buy almost anything here – except Redbrill and Mountain Dew – and leaving things at home can be a great excuse to shop or to get packages from home.

 Is there a group flight? Will someone meet me at the airport? How do I get to the hotel from the airport?

 LAUREN: No group flight. “It’s our first adventure on our own”. Memorize how to pronounce the address of the hotel and take a cab!

 SARAH: No there is not a group flight and it is up to you to find, book and get to your flight independently of Educo. You will have the address of the hotel but it is up to you to choose the best way to get there.

 BRYAN: No, there is no group flight and no one will meet you at the airport aside from the friendly customs agents. You obviously wanted independence when you chose to come to Paris, so now you’ve got it in a major way. Intimidated? Just wait until you try heaving that last suitcase into the bus or that taxi-driver mutters too fast…

 Do I need a visa? What type of visa?

 LAUREN: You’ll need a student visa. Instructions on how to get it will be provided by your campus study abroad office.

 BRYAN: Yes, you need a visa. The type you’ll need and the process you’ll go through depends on your consulate, i.e. the consulate closest to your place of residence (home). Consult your study abroad office or the French Consulate in the US for further information.

 Should I bring my laptop? Can I find a converter in Paris?

 LAUREN: Yes – it will be invaluable to be able to type at home, better yet, you may be able to hook up to internet. It is easier to bring the converter from the States but you can buy them in France.

 SARAH: Bring your laptop if you want to avoid problems in the “high traffic” computer room and perhaps you can connect to the internet chez vous. Converters are easy to find in Paris.

 BRYAN: Laptops’ utility/necessity in France depends on you. Educo provides internet access and stand-alone computers, but laptops can be quite convenient for avoiding the atrocious French keyboard, for escaping the lines and sign-up sheets at Educo, and for that late-night cramming. (Note: you are not guaranteed that your living situation will accommodate at-home internet access).

 Should I sell my soul before coming to finance the semester?

 LAUREN: Everyone’s budget is different. Try to save as much as you can. It’s not that cheap to live here, but there are ways to get by.

 BRYAN: Paris is quite expensive; keeping up that world-class reputation adds up in the long run. If you don’t sell your soul before you arrive, I strongly encourage you to plan ahead to sell it while you’re here or afterwards…whether by selling out by staying home (spending no money) or by cashing in on Satan’s many offers around the city (spending/making money in ways we shouldn’t hear about).

 Are there many Americans in Paris? Will I be speaking English all semester?

 LAUREN: There are many Americans in Paris. It’s up to you to force yourself to speak French in order to improve.

 SARAH: There are dozens of American schools which have programs in Paris, you will undoubtedly run into many Americans, as Paris hosts students of many nationalities.

 BRYAN: There is a surprisingly large expat population in Paris, and there will be days when your English or Arabic skills will take you further on the metro than your French…but believe it or not, French is still the national language and there are countless opportunities to put it to good use. Make an effort et voilà – le français devient de plus en plus naturel…

 What about phones? Should I buy a portable or is a fixed phone better? What should I do about calling the US?

 LAUREN: Decide what’s best for you when you get here. There are pros and cons for both. For calling the US, there are plenty of international calling cards available.

 SARAH: It is easier to evaluate your phone situation when you arrive. You may decide to buy a portable, activate a phone line, have neither, or both.

 BRYAN: You will need to have some sort of phone while in Paris – no, that monastic vow of silent isolation is not a possibility – so budget the expense. Some living situations will permit you to have a fixed phone line…along with a bill every two months consisting of subscription fees, per call fees etc. (Note: In France and most of the non-US world, you must pay for every call you make whether local or long-distance.)

Cell phones – “portables” are another possibility, with their own set of costs and perks: convenient yes, but privacy is a little less common. Pre-paid cell phone plans are available in addition to subscribed/billed cell phones…and either can be roughly as cheap (read: as expensive) as a fixed phone.

 Is Internet easily accessible? Where can I find it?

 LAUREN: Educo has internet access available for students, but there are plenty of inexpensive internet cafés all around Paris.

 SARAH: Internet is easily accessible both at the Educo computer room and at the hundreds of internet cafés in Paris which can be found in every quarter.

 BRYAN: Educo provides a computer lab with internet access…albeit frequently limited by high demand and by those blasted French keyboards. There are also tons of internet cafes around the city with a range of services…and prices to match.

 Is it easy to workout in Paris?

 LAUREN: There are plenty of gyms available but as they are pricey, you will have to investigate. Remember – jogs along the Seine are free!

 SARAH: There are many gyms that one may join, or one may walk or run in many residential quarters. Parisians get a lot of daily exercise simply by walking.

 Will there be time to travel? Should I buy a Eurail pass? Is it easy to travel around Europe?

 SARAH: There will be plenty of travel time, both on weekends and during short breaks. I recommend buying some sort of rail pass before you come or evaluating your time situation and travel plans in Paris and have your parents send your pass, which must be purchased in the USA. www.counciltravel.com carries them. Because of the extensive rail system – intra-Europe - travel is very easy and relatively inexpensive.

 BRYAN: There will be time to travel if traveling is a priority to you and you make time to travel. Your Educo tuition includes 1-2 weekend excursions (depending on your semester) within France, but Educo does not officially encourage other weekend travel. Thanks to well-developed air, train and bus networks, it is quite easy and not terribly expensive to travel around Europe. As far as travel passes go (Eurail, Europass etc.), it may be advantageous to explore options after your arrival and then have someone buy/mail you the pass from the States if it’s still the best option.

 How’s the food? Can vegetarians survive?

 LAUREN: The food is great! Try a Nutella+banana crêpe! Vegetarian restaurants are available…

SARAH: I have never had a bad meal here – the extraordinary quality and range of fruits and vegetables in France make being a vegetarian easier than in the US.

 BRYAN: The food’s great, thank you, and has enough variety to cater to most tastes. It is probable that everyone – vegetarians included – will put on a few pounds before that flight home.

 How independent will I be?

 LAUREN: Depends how independent you want to be.

 SARAH: You will be as independent as you have ever been. There is the opportunity for unlimited independence, but there is always an Educo support system to help you out when/if you need it.

 BRYAN: Very ….and if you haven’t gathered that from my previous responses, you may want to re-evaluate your decision to throw yourself into our world (just kidding!).

 Is it possible to work in France? Have former students had internships?

 LAUREN: Internships are available to American students, but don’t expect to be paid.

 SARAH: Internships or “stages” are possible and have been done before by other students. Babysitting or conversation exchange or tutoring is an easier way to make money.

 BRYAN: Yes, you can work in France, although in true French fashion, there are a million and one hurdles to jump through first. Talk to Giulia after arriving about internship possibilities and about past participants’ internships.

 Is Paris safe?

 LAUREN: Yes, just zip up your purse and stay aware of your surroundings.

 SARAH: Paris is as safe as you make it. If you are smart, cautious and confident, you should never have a problem, but if you are looking for trouble, you will find it. France is undoubtedly safer than southern Europe and given its size, Paris is a safe and secure city.

 BRYAN: Is any city safe? More importantly, are you safe in any city?

Should I open a bank account? Can I write checks? Should I bring my credit cards? How much money should I bring? Where can I change money? Are there ATMs?

 LAUREN: Bank accounts are not necessary. You cannot write American checks in France but you can use your credit cards, especially Visa. Bring enough money to get you through a week in NYC – that should do it – then use your ATM cards. There are change places everywhere.

 SARAH: Unless you are here for a year, you probably have no need for a bank account. You cannot write American checks. You should bring one or two major credit cards and an ATM or check card. Don’t “bring” money – maybe $200-300 in traveler checks and some Euros (you can get them at AmEx). You can change money anywhere or just get money from ATMs and pay the fee.

 BRYAN: Bring your credit cards and tons of money but realize you won’t be taking it home. ATMs are conveniently located  on every corner and between every few stores to milk every last cent from your account. It is possible to open a French bank account, but this, too, involves that French flair for red tape and hurdles…and is really not all that necessary (the final goal of a zero balance looks the same worldwide, regardless of the currency).

 How can I get around Paris?

 LAUREN: Metro and bus systems are great and easy!

 SARAH: Paris has an extensive metro, bus and night bus system. It is also easy to navigate on foot and taxis are readily available. You will most likely use the metro and bus 99% of the time.

 BRYAN: Aside from the more elite limos, taxis and cars, Paris runs extensive subway (metro) and bus systems to move masses of Parisians, their dogs and even tourists from one end of town to the other. This system is complemented by a high-speed RER network, serving the suburbs, and an intricate national train system for all your other needs. Your “Carte Orange” will give you access to zones 1 and 2 of the metro, RER and bus systems. (Cleanliness and efficiency are both relative to your previous experience with public transportation).

What is the medical system like in France?  What should I do about my prescriptions?

 SARAH: Bring prescriptions or have them sent monthly.

 BRYAN: The medical system in France is as developed (or underdeveloped) as its counterpart in the States, although it is socialized…meaning French citizens pay less per visit and more in taxes, a phenomenon that won’t affect you that much. In other words, you will still have to carry plenty of cash to your doctor’s appointment. NB: According to French law, no one can be refused medical care in an emergency.

            Bring enough of your current prescriptions with you to last the whole semester/year, accompanied by a written physician’s prescription (not a pharmacy receipt or a copy of the prescription).      

 

Academic Life

How long will it take my grades to transfer?

 SARAH: 6 months????

Will all my courses in Paris be accepted by my home institution?

 LAUREN: Make sure to stay in touch with your advisors and the DUS of your departments to discuss the courses you’re taking and if they’ll be accepted.

 SARAH: Not necessarily, but if you choose your courses carefully, more or less within your major, and more or less from the list of pre-approved courses.

Is the course load similar to that in the US?

 LAUREN: It’s different – instead of weekly assignments, there are 2-3 major assignments ( papers or exams)

What are the classes like compared to the US?

 LAUREN: They are much longer – 3 hours per week in one shot!

How big is the program?

 LAUREN: About 50 students – numbers from each university vary.

 SARAH: Approximately 60 students, in theory, 20 from each university, but in reality the numbers vary with a strong Duke presence first semester and a strong Cornell presence the second semester.

 Acknowledgements :

Many thanks to Lauren Moskowitz, Bryan Parr and Sarah Pearse who greatly helped us in this endeavor.