Waking up this morning it still hadn't hit me just where I am. At 8:45 all the students staying in my residence met in the lobby to walk over to campus for orientation. We had a few info sessions, a tour of the school, free sandwiches for lunch (which were actually really good; I had smoked salmon), filled out some forms, and finally got our student ID cards.
My American friends, my Canadian friend James, Mathias from Finland, and a new Canadian friend named Erika all went into Paris for the afternoon. After getting off the metro at l'Arc de Triomphe it hit us that we were finally here. We were all teaming with excitement. We made one last attempt to get our phones set up, but they said we had to have our French bank cards. We gave up and started sight seeing around Paris.
We walked the Champs Elysees, went shopping in Zara, and bought pastries at the world famous Laduree. We then walked to the Eiffel Tower and basked in its Parisian glory. After we went to dinner at a small brasserie nearby. I had the most delicious duck confit. After dinner we went back to the Eiffel Tower to watch it light up at dark. Getting back to Cergy after that was the fun part.
We got all the way outside of Paris and realized that construction shut down all the RER lines to Cergy. 6 of us were stranded in some nameless suburb of Paris with no way to get home. Thankfully James and Cassie had phones set up and were able to order us a couple Uber cars. We walked into what happened to be a really trendy bar down the road to use their wifi to order our rides. Thankfully from this point everything went just fine, minus getting home a lot later than expected.
Tomorrow is the second day of orientation. After I think we're going back into Paris to continue sightseeing. My French language evaluation is Friday morning and afternoon. Class starts Monday with the 3 day International Negotiation seminar. It's after midnight here and I'm exhausted. I've uploaded several pictures to instagram and my profile is public. All the pictures are available at instagram.com/pailum520.
Wednesday, February 25, 2015
Tuesday, February 24, 2015
The Adventure Begins
Easily the longest day of my life. On Sunday, February 22, I woke up at 6:30 and got into my mom's car by 7 to head to the Charlotte airport. My flight was at 1:05 but we wanted to get there early to eat and get through security.
We ate at Amélie's, a French bakery in the NoDa district of Charlotte, to get me into the Parisian mood. We got to the airport around 10:30, giving me plenty of time to get to my gate.
I had about 40 minutes in Dallas including the flight boarding early and various taxiing delays. I grabbed a small bite and got on my plane to Paris, finally!
The woman sitting next to me found an open row somewhere further back on the plane so I had the whole row to myself for the 9 and a half hour flight. Right after the atrocious in flight meal (I think it was orange chicken) I fell asleep and woke up about an hour and a half before landing at 9:30 am (Paris time), perfect. While waiting in line at the border patrol I managed to hook onto CDG's WiFi to let me parents know I made it to Paris safe and sound. Unfortunately, no other students were on my flight, but I felt confident in my sense of direction.
Now is where the adventure begins. My suitcase was the absolute last to come onto the carousel and of course it was raining when I landed. My suitcase was soaked. Now that I had all my luggage (my backpack, carry-on, and one checked bag) I had to actually get to Cergy. I wandered the airport for a while wondering where the bus station was. It turned out that I was only wandering terminal 2. After wandering some more I found the airport train to take me to terminal 3 where the bus station was. Finding the bus station I went to the information desk to ask which bus to take. The survival guide sent by ESSEC told me, but I wanted to be sure. Thankfully the women at the desk spoke English when they told me which bus to take and to pay for the trip on the bus. I was way too tired to attempt to speak French. I got on the bus and the bus driver told me I couldn't pay on the bus, now is where things get fun.
I went back into the terminal to buy what I thought was a bus ticket. Turns out it was an RER (commuter rail that also goes to Cergy) ticket. I didn't realize this until the bus driver told me kicking me off the bus for the second time. I was done with dealing with the bus, lugging my suitcases with me, and resolved to take the train, which takes about 20 minutes longer than the bus.
I had absolutely no problem with the RER getting to Cergy-Préfecture, the RER stop for the housing office. At the my last stop I checked a map to see where ESSEC was in relation to the stop. I had a vague sense of which way to go and wanted to be sure. There a girl with a giant suitcase and backpacking pack turned to me and asked, in English, if I was a student. Her name is Carolina and we're both 3rd year students at ESSEC. She's an international student from Vienna University in Vienna, Austria. I also learned that she was living in my same residence, so we walked to the housing office together.
We got to campus and took a campus WiFi break to check a map for the housing office. We didn't realize that we could have cut through campus to go to the office, so we went back out and down the sidewalk for about a quarter mile. Just as we go going the temperature plummeted and we were soaked to the bone with a sudden shower. While lugging our bags down an unknown road Carolina exclaimed "I'm going to remember this day forever!" We were certainly a sight to behold: two soaking wet travelers with way too much luggage on a suburban sidewalk.
We realized that we could have cut through campus AFTER arriving at the housing office...of course. Getting our keys and everything was simple and quick. We then got in the van to take us from the office to our residence. We were so happy the shuttle was there because we were tired of trains and walking.
My room is a small apartment with a kitchenette, shower room, WC (water closet), and two bedrooms. My mystery roommate hadn't arrived yet. My room is pretty big with a closet with shelves, a twin sized bed, vanity with sink, window, radiator, desk, chair, and storage shelves. I'll attach pictures so far at the bottom. After dropping my things I went up to a new friend's room. We had been talking on Facebook before coming over. His name is James and he's an exchange student from Toronto. He and I met some other students, this time from San Diego, to take the RER to the mall where we could get French cell phone plans and buy groceries and sundries.
We met a a friend of mine from UofSC at the Orange cell phone store. (We got into contact when we found out we were going to ESSEC together.) Orange said we had to set our phones up online since we wanted no contract plans. I didn't want to order online and wait the 3 to 5 days shipping. We then went into another store and they said they couldn't help us until we had French bank accounts, which I was trying to avoid but eventually relinquished to. We went to the hypermarche (giant store that has everything, like Walmart) across the mall and got food, wine (which was gloriously inexpensive), an extra blanket, and some other immediate needs. After we took the RER back to our stop (the very end of the line) to drop our groceries and go to dinner. We decided to try an Italian restaurant near the train station as it was the only thing open other than Subway (which there are a surprisingly high number of around here). It was actually pretty good. The Italian, Frederigo, in our dinner party accepted it. After dinner we were all jet lagged and our feet hurt, so we called it a night.
When I back to my apartment my roommate had moved in. His name is Giacomo, an exchange student from Bocconi in Milan, Italy. He's a very nice guy and we made plans to get a French bank account and cell phones together in the morning.
The next day we met up with my other two UofSC friends who live in our building. One of them, Bernadette, happens to be roommates with Caroline, my Viennese friend from earlier, so she came with us back to the mall. The American girls, Bernadette and Katie, and I wanted to get accounts with BNP Paribas since it's Bank of America's sister bank. Carolina and Giacomo split off to go to la Societe Generale, another bank. That was a mistake since even at the predetermined meeting point the two groups never found each other. Thankfully one was alone so we all met back up safely in the residence.
Bernadette, Katie, and I were told that BNP was booked until Friday of next week and we had to make an appointment to open an account. We made an appointment and went to the Societe Generale branch in the mall next door. They were booked but sent us to the larger branch near campus. Our appointment was 3:30 so we got the rest of our shopping done back the hypermarche.
Finding the bank was a struggle seeing as none of us understood the teller's rapid French while she gave us directions. We went back to the mall branch and she gave us very detailed directions, which we had no problem with. Opening our accounts was quick and easy. Finally we had all we needed for cell phones. The kicker, however, was that Bouygues Télécom, the company that would let us do everything in store, was out of SIM cards. At this point we were mentally and physically done for the day. Not a single person we spoke with knew English, except thankfully for the woman helping me open my account.
We returned to our rooms to drop off our groceries and have some mimosas with ham, brie, and bread, our oh-so Parisian snack for dinner. After our snack we met back up with Giacomo and Caroline to go to dinner, again at the Italian place since it was the only place open. At dinner we talked mainly about the plan for tomorrow. Orientation is from 9:30 to 2, at which time we have the option of going shopping with all the other students. Having already been shipping on our own, we decided we're going to go into Paris to get our phones set up, explore, and have dinner. None of us have really seen Paris since arriving so we're all really excited.
My French adventure and connections have just begun. Once I get my phone situated and go through orientation I'll feel more at ease here in Cergy. The town itself is pretty dead to be frank. However, Paris is only 30 minutes away so I'm not complaining. I can't wait to see what ESSEC and Paris have in store for me now that I'm familiar with Cergy!
We ate at Amélie's, a French bakery in the NoDa district of Charlotte, to get me into the Parisian mood. We got to the airport around 10:30, giving me plenty of time to get to my gate.
I had about 40 minutes in Dallas including the flight boarding early and various taxiing delays. I grabbed a small bite and got on my plane to Paris, finally!
The woman sitting next to me found an open row somewhere further back on the plane so I had the whole row to myself for the 9 and a half hour flight. Right after the atrocious in flight meal (I think it was orange chicken) I fell asleep and woke up about an hour and a half before landing at 9:30 am (Paris time), perfect. While waiting in line at the border patrol I managed to hook onto CDG's WiFi to let me parents know I made it to Paris safe and sound. Unfortunately, no other students were on my flight, but I felt confident in my sense of direction.
Now is where the adventure begins. My suitcase was the absolute last to come onto the carousel and of course it was raining when I landed. My suitcase was soaked. Now that I had all my luggage (my backpack, carry-on, and one checked bag) I had to actually get to Cergy. I wandered the airport for a while wondering where the bus station was. It turned out that I was only wandering terminal 2. After wandering some more I found the airport train to take me to terminal 3 where the bus station was. Finding the bus station I went to the information desk to ask which bus to take. The survival guide sent by ESSEC told me, but I wanted to be sure. Thankfully the women at the desk spoke English when they told me which bus to take and to pay for the trip on the bus. I was way too tired to attempt to speak French. I got on the bus and the bus driver told me I couldn't pay on the bus, now is where things get fun.
I went back into the terminal to buy what I thought was a bus ticket. Turns out it was an RER (commuter rail that also goes to Cergy) ticket. I didn't realize this until the bus driver told me kicking me off the bus for the second time. I was done with dealing with the bus, lugging my suitcases with me, and resolved to take the train, which takes about 20 minutes longer than the bus.
I had absolutely no problem with the RER getting to Cergy-Préfecture, the RER stop for the housing office. At the my last stop I checked a map to see where ESSEC was in relation to the stop. I had a vague sense of which way to go and wanted to be sure. There a girl with a giant suitcase and backpacking pack turned to me and asked, in English, if I was a student. Her name is Carolina and we're both 3rd year students at ESSEC. She's an international student from Vienna University in Vienna, Austria. I also learned that she was living in my same residence, so we walked to the housing office together.
We got to campus and took a campus WiFi break to check a map for the housing office. We didn't realize that we could have cut through campus to go to the office, so we went back out and down the sidewalk for about a quarter mile. Just as we go going the temperature plummeted and we were soaked to the bone with a sudden shower. While lugging our bags down an unknown road Carolina exclaimed "I'm going to remember this day forever!" We were certainly a sight to behold: two soaking wet travelers with way too much luggage on a suburban sidewalk.
We realized that we could have cut through campus AFTER arriving at the housing office...of course. Getting our keys and everything was simple and quick. We then got in the van to take us from the office to our residence. We were so happy the shuttle was there because we were tired of trains and walking.
My room is a small apartment with a kitchenette, shower room, WC (water closet), and two bedrooms. My mystery roommate hadn't arrived yet. My room is pretty big with a closet with shelves, a twin sized bed, vanity with sink, window, radiator, desk, chair, and storage shelves. I'll attach pictures so far at the bottom. After dropping my things I went up to a new friend's room. We had been talking on Facebook before coming over. His name is James and he's an exchange student from Toronto. He and I met some other students, this time from San Diego, to take the RER to the mall where we could get French cell phone plans and buy groceries and sundries.
We met a a friend of mine from UofSC at the Orange cell phone store. (We got into contact when we found out we were going to ESSEC together.) Orange said we had to set our phones up online since we wanted no contract plans. I didn't want to order online and wait the 3 to 5 days shipping. We then went into another store and they said they couldn't help us until we had French bank accounts, which I was trying to avoid but eventually relinquished to. We went to the hypermarche (giant store that has everything, like Walmart) across the mall and got food, wine (which was gloriously inexpensive), an extra blanket, and some other immediate needs. After we took the RER back to our stop (the very end of the line) to drop our groceries and go to dinner. We decided to try an Italian restaurant near the train station as it was the only thing open other than Subway (which there are a surprisingly high number of around here). It was actually pretty good. The Italian, Frederigo, in our dinner party accepted it. After dinner we were all jet lagged and our feet hurt, so we called it a night.
When I back to my apartment my roommate had moved in. His name is Giacomo, an exchange student from Bocconi in Milan, Italy. He's a very nice guy and we made plans to get a French bank account and cell phones together in the morning.
The next day we met up with my other two UofSC friends who live in our building. One of them, Bernadette, happens to be roommates with Caroline, my Viennese friend from earlier, so she came with us back to the mall. The American girls, Bernadette and Katie, and I wanted to get accounts with BNP Paribas since it's Bank of America's sister bank. Carolina and Giacomo split off to go to la Societe Generale, another bank. That was a mistake since even at the predetermined meeting point the two groups never found each other. Thankfully one was alone so we all met back up safely in the residence.
Bernadette, Katie, and I were told that BNP was booked until Friday of next week and we had to make an appointment to open an account. We made an appointment and went to the Societe Generale branch in the mall next door. They were booked but sent us to the larger branch near campus. Our appointment was 3:30 so we got the rest of our shopping done back the hypermarche.
Finding the bank was a struggle seeing as none of us understood the teller's rapid French while she gave us directions. We went back to the mall branch and she gave us very detailed directions, which we had no problem with. Opening our accounts was quick and easy. Finally we had all we needed for cell phones. The kicker, however, was that Bouygues Télécom, the company that would let us do everything in store, was out of SIM cards. At this point we were mentally and physically done for the day. Not a single person we spoke with knew English, except thankfully for the woman helping me open my account.
We returned to our rooms to drop off our groceries and have some mimosas with ham, brie, and bread, our oh-so Parisian snack for dinner. After our snack we met back up with Giacomo and Caroline to go to dinner, again at the Italian place since it was the only place open. At dinner we talked mainly about the plan for tomorrow. Orientation is from 9:30 to 2, at which time we have the option of going shopping with all the other students. Having already been shipping on our own, we decided we're going to go into Paris to get our phones set up, explore, and have dinner. None of us have really seen Paris since arriving so we're all really excited.
My French adventure and connections have just begun. Once I get my phone situated and go through orientation I'll feel more at ease here in Cergy. The town itself is pretty dead to be frank. However, Paris is only 30 minutes away so I'm not complaining. I can't wait to see what ESSEC and Paris have in store for me now that I'm familiar with Cergy!
Whole row to myself!
I had to get a picture in-flight
The train station I'll be taking to campus every day is beautiful
My room is bigger than I expected
Back of my room
Kitchenette and nondescript shower room
WC and fridge
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