The Start

Hi All.

Welcome to my blog of my adventures in Paris. I'll give you a little information about the trip first. I have wanted to go to Paris to study since high school. I am going through a program called CEA (I actually have no idea what it stands for). They set up my housing, classes, etc.

I'm taking all of my classes in French. Naturally, I'm a little nervous about this part. A lot of people going through my program are taking classes in English, with all American kids in American style classrooms. I am here for immersion. I am here to understand what it's like to live in another country, to look at the world from a completely different point of view. Without learning the language and really trying to understand the culture, I won't experience the full benefits of being abroad.

The program is called: University of Paris IV – Cours de Civilisation Française de la Sorbonne. It's through La Sorbonne, the oldest school in France. Classes are taught by professors from La Sorbonne and my classmates come from all over the world (not France though). My French language class is 2 hours a day, 5 days a week. Once every week I'll also have a phonetics class to improve my accent. Then I'll be taking 2 other classes at the school, both in French. Those will be 2 days a week. As of now, I plan on taking Paris: Architecture & History and Political & Economic Issues in Modern France. I don't pick my classes until I'm there, after I take my placement exam to determine which exact level I will be in.

CEA arranged my housing. My apartment is in the 13th arrondisement, next to the Latin Quarter and about a 20 minute walk from my school. It's near the Metro Stations Les Gobelins and Glacière, Chinatown, and the Luxembourg Gardens. The 13th is an up-and-coming neighborhood in Paris. It isn't too expensive (which is really nice) and it's not touristy at all. I'm living with another guy from CEA, named Justin Johnson. He goes to Boulder and is from Dallas, TX. He seems like a very nice guy. I really don't know much about him and I won't meet him until I get to my apartment in Paris. I'm trying to learn how to cook because I'll have a kitchen in my apartment. I am pretty close to Rue Moufftard, an extremely popular market place in Paris, where I will buy groceries. I will have a pretty small apartment: a bedroom, a living room, a kitchenette and a bathroom. Low expectations can't disappoint, right? You can see the door to my apartment here:

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I don't know many people in Paris. A few people from Michigan, a few from Highland Park, and a few random connections. But I'm excited to go to a city without knowing many people. I can't wait to meet so many people from so many different countries. I have friends studying in Florence, Rome, Barcelona, Madrid, London, Prague, and many other places all over the world. Those visits are going to be very fun. I have a 2 week spring break in mid-April and I hope to make many weekend trips, while still taking time to explore Paris and France. I really want to travel to Israel some time during my time in Europe. My ideal trip would be Paris to Greece, Greece to Turkey, Turkey to Israel and then back to Paris. I have a bunch of friends in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem and I would love to visit the country again, just a year after my first time there on Birthright. My program lasts from January 29 until May 30. I'm hoping to stay later than that to travel and possibly work at a winery.

How to Stay in Touch:
I will keep you all updated on my classes and travels throughout the semester. Feel free to leave posts or e-mail me at any time (Admiller15@gmail.com).
BBM: I'll have my blackberry so I will be accessible easily by e-mail and BlackBerry Messenger (pin:2453b3c).
Skype: Skype is probably the best way to have conversations. If you download Skype (it's Free), you can talk to be through voice or video chat for no charge. Click here to download Skype: Skype. My Skype name is Admiller15.
French Cell Phone: I get free incoming calls to my french cell phone. To call from the states, dial 011 33 6 14 28 05 41. If you're in France, dial 06 14 28 05 41. If you're in Europe, dial + 33 6 14 28 05 41.

I've been busy collecting all the random items I'll need when abroad: adapters for electricity, a new raincoat, walking shoes, headphones, etc. Other than that, this 5 week break is the longest break I've had in the past 4 years. It's been great to really relax and get ready for Paris. A bientôt!