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January 18th 2008

Published: January 18th 2008

I probably should have started this when I got here; but since I didn't, the first one will just be super long! I will try to update weekly, if not more often, depends on how much is going on.

The flight over went really well. The food was quite gross, but what else can a person expect from plane food? 😊 None of my baggage was lost, so that was also good. I was picked up from the airport by a girl from the school. We also picked up two girls from Greece, a girl from Mexico, and a girl from China. They were all very nice! The apartment is very nice and is in a very good location. The only downfall is that there isn't a living room area where people can come and hang out.

Saturday was absolutely gorgeous! I spent most of the day wandering around looking at everything and getting comfortable with the city...nothing too exciting.

On Sunday I met up with some of the other exchange students and we went out for lunch. Then we went to the Brazilians' apartment and spent the afternoon hanging out and trying some Bordeaux wine (3 euros a bottle!)

Monday we had orientation for school. Everything is run a lot differently here than it is back home - each class only lasts for 2 1/2 days - so we have the class now, then don't take the final until June! The finals are based on notes, so I'll have to pay a lot of attention in class. Monday night we went to a movie. I don't remember what it was called, but it was absolutely terrible. Then we went to a bar...I still find it really awkward to be able to go into a bar and get drinks, so I haven't actually bought any yet

Tuesday we had to go back to the school for a short orientation which ended up being a waste of time because the wireless internet didn't work. After the orientation, I went downtown with Cassie and Alex to do a little shopping (we usually don't actually buy anything, but looking is fun). Then Alex and I met up with a few others for more shopping and dinner. We went to a really good cafe - I had my first croque-monsieur (French version of ham & cheese) - so good! We then met up with all the other exchange students for some ice skating. Everyone had a really good time, even though very few people actually new how to skate. I met someone from Germany who knows quite a bit about the NBA, so that was awesome!

Wednesday morning Alex and I went to open bank accounts where we get 80 euros just for joining the bank! It's glorious! I pretty much bummed around and took care of a few things for the rest of the afternoon. Wednesday evening, we went to someone's apartment to hang out before everyone met up at New Amsterdam, a dance club/bar. They played techno, and it was quite weird to dance to it!

Thursday afternoon we went to a chateau to learn how they make wine. We also were able to taste the wine they make there. The white wine was very good, but the red wine wasn't. After we tasted the red wine, she said it was a bottle that still had to sit for 3 years to be ready to drink, which is why it didn't taste very good. After the chateau, I played poker with some of the guys - I ended up getting second, so it was too bad we didn't play for money! Then all the exchange students went to a traditional French restaurant. It was amazing! We had chicken salad, steak and potatoes, and a Bordeaux desert...probably the best desert I've ever had! Caroline, a girl from Ireland that I met earlier in the week, was here last semester as well adn had joined the basketball team at the school. I decided to join as well - we have practices on Tuesdays and games on Thursdays - I can't wait to start!

A student group at the business school planned so much for us to do this week - it was a lot of fun and a great opportunity to meet a lot of the students!

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