Has anyone studied abroad??? I will be attending Paris for Fashion Design Classes!!!?

Question

Besides getting my passports do you have any tips???

Man you guys are helping me out because I am nervous

Answer 1

Make sure you make a copy of your passport, in case it gets lost or stolen you can take it to the embassy & get a new one sent to you in a week or so. Also, keep your social security card (and anything important like that) out of your wallet, or better yet leave it at home.

Call your bank and credit card company and let them know you'll be in a foreign country and tell them the time period.

You can use the phone in the hotel to call home, however, it's really expensive. It's better if you buy a calling card & use a payphone. My school gave us special cell phones that we could use while we are here in europe, but it's also expensive. I suggest you download a program called Skype. Basically, it's a phone service (plus instant messenger) for your computer. It's free to call someone else with skype, or a very cheap fee to call a cellphone or house number, and all you need is a microphone (mine is built in) and headphones.

I'm not really sure about how bad theft & pickpocketing is in Paris, but it's pretty big here in Berlin. Try to stay away from places that are too "tourist"y, and keep your purse turned to the front & always zipped/buttoned up.

Be careful in nightclubs because everyone is bumping up against each other and you never know if one of those people is pickpocketing you. When you go out clubbing use a smaller purse you can hang around you, and also use the coat check when available. Most of the time it only cost one euro to check your bags and coat, and that's the best way to make sure you don't lose anything while partying.

NEVER accept a drink from a stranger. Period. And especially if you don't see the bartender preparing it.

Make sure you know the phone number for your hotel--- and the address for that matter. Also, numbers for emergency, and maybe a taxi company in case you're out late & public transportation is closed (it's definitely happened to me!).

Make sure you bring with you a power converter & adapters for your electronics. The wattage and wall plugs are very different. Most electronics stores (BestBuy, Circuit City) and places like Target carry them.

If you are bringing a digital camera, even if you have a memory card, I think it's good to load the pictures onto your computer every night. That way, if your camera gets damaged or stolen you won't lose all your pictures too.

Definitely try and learn some French before you leave. Just little stuff like:
-thank you (merci)
-please (s'il vous plait)
-do you speak english? (parlez-vous l'anglais?)
-i would like... (je voudrais...)
-yes (oui)
-no (non)
-hello! (bonjour!)
-goodbye. (au revoir.)

Just common phrases like that, you can find lots of resources online or go to your local bookstore and browse some of the french dictionaries. I don't know any German, but the stuff I do know I mostly use when I'm in a restaraunt or store. The French aren't the nicest people if you don't speak their language, but at least put in an effort to speaking the language, and even though they'll laugh they'll give you points for trying.

Above all, just have fun. Keep an open mind to the food and the culture. Besides going to class, you will be in a brand new place, so soak it up. It goes by really fast. I've only got about 35 days left here unfortunately--- but I'm having the time of my life.

I hope your trip is wonderful, and stay safe!

Answer 2

Paris is an amazing city! I was there this summer and I am going back next Fall for a semester. Here are some of my tips:
1. The French are some of the nicest people you will ever meet. If you try to make an effort to speak French they REALLY appreciate it. If you don't have time to learn, get some basic phrases down and anytime you do business or buy something greet them. It is just a way to acknowledge they are there and it is polite. Knowing "merci" "de rien" "je voudrais..." and "bonjour" can get you a LONG way.
2. Getting a passport is easy but can take a long time now (6-8 months). Apply as soon as possible. Total it should cost less than 120 total (with pictures and all) and you will need 2 forms of ID (drivers ID and birth certificate should be fine). Keep a couple copies in your luggage and copies with your family for emergencies.
3. Check with your school to make sure you do not need a Student Visa if you are going to be in France for a long time.
4. In Paris get yourself a book called Paris Pratique Par Arroundissement. This book is AMAZING because it has all of the bus lines, metro line, tourist sites, and streets of Paris and it is pockect size. This way you are never lost!
5. Before you go to Paris, get the address and the number of the American Embassy.
6. Have FUN! Paris and France are EASY to navigate! Explore and meet lots of people. It is an amazing city with lots of amazing sites! My personal favorite was the Latin Quarter but try to see it all!

Have a great trip!

Answer 3

Paris darling LA not anything to do. So hurry up with the French courses and to get the DELF and DALF. Centro in Mexico is having well matters with its scholars, however it's close to as luxurious as to research in Europe.