Thursday, February 10, 2011

Updated List

I like:

  • My host family (love 'em)
  • The food.  My host mom is an amazing cook.
  • Speaking French all the time
  • The ability to buy alcohol everywhere (Jillian had a 1664 with her lunch in McDonalds at 11 AM)
  • The alcohol (I have missed French wine... I can't say it enough)
  • Public transportation
  • The beautiful architecture
  • Fresh bread everyday
  • Amazing coffee everyday
  • Soccer and Rugby on televisions in bars
  • Dogs EVERYWHERE.  The French take their dogs out all the time.  Not only do they walk their pups all over the city, but dogs are welcome just about everywhere.  I have seen dogs with their owners in grocery stores, the tram, clothing stores, and bars.  America should get on this trend.
  • The sales month in France.
  • The price of something is what you pay.  When you go to buy shoes, you don't need to worry about a sales tax; it doesn't exist here.  It's wonderful.
  • Sidewalk cafes
  • Trains


I dislike:

  • People who do not wear deodorant and then stand next to me on the tram
  • Murses... (man purses) they're everywhere!!!!  It's quite funny so I guess that is more humorous than a dislike
  • The exchange rate
  • Communication difficulties with everyone back home
  • Creepy French men
  • No free refills (BOO)
  • Songs that are now popular in France were popular 4-5 months ago at home
  • Cigarette butts lining the sidewalks outside the local university
  • There are never paper towels in bathrooms here.  I understand that it's better for the environment, but I think that France does it just because it's cheaper.  
  • Everything (except the post office) closes at noon for lunch and stays closed for about two hours.  I understand that everyone needs a break, but why don't you take lunch in shifts?  The bank and administrative offices are closed. Some stores close at noon.  It's inconvenient.
  • Administrative tasks take forever.  I was well into my second week of class before I was issued my student ID.  
  • There is no time between classes.  Classes are one hour, but they start and end at the same hour.  If you have class at 2 and 3, by the time your 2:00 class ends, you're already late for your 3:00.  I'm used to at least 10 minutes between classes, you know, for a break and to get across campus, but here, that does not exist.
  • Word limits.  I didn't come to France to write essays, but I'm going to have to anyway.  For these essays, there are word limits.  If you exceed these word limits, the professor subtracts 2 points (grades are out of 20) for every 10 words.  This is a lot.  For someone who is wordy (clearly), this is going to be a challenge.

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