Catching Up

     Well I haven't written in a while because my computer crashed about a week ago! It turns out that my hard drive was completely dead, and I had to get it replaced (a costly and timely affair, apparently!). I am glad to have it back, but I used my time without a computer to immerse myself more fully into Paris and French life. One of the main reasons I use my computer everyday is to check the headlines back home in the US as well as the headlines here in France. Fortunately, I discovered that my French cellphone is also a radio, so I've been listening to French radio stations a lot. It's a good way to work on my listening skills and also to know what's going on in the world.
     I'm now beginning my fourth week of courses at Reid Hall. I'm particularly enjoying my Paris 1789 to 1939 class because every other class, we meet on location in Paris. The professor is very knowledgeable, and is basically a fascinating tour guide. So far we've visited the Pantheon, Eglise St. Sulpice, and the Jardin and Palais du Luxembourg. This week we'll be visiting La Place de la Concorde and some points of interest around there. It's pretty amazing having the city of Paris at your disposal to study and visit and experience!
     I also began my 'tutorat' the week before last, which is a one-on-one thirty-minute conversation session that I have with a French student. I'm lucky to have a very nice and helpful student named Cécile, who was an exchange student at Wesleyan. This week I meet with my other 'tutor,' Véronique, who will assign me reading and papers based on the seminars I attend at the Collège Internationale de Philosophie, which will be my fourth course that I am taking this semester.
     I've also started my 'stage,' which roughly translates to an internship. I attend a course at a Parisian university that is taught in English and is about American business and ethics. The professor asks me to contribute my opinion or critique the other students' presentations. It's very interesting to be have this insight into the French university system - it's really different than what I know back at Wesleyan! I'm also surprised at how well the French students speak English. I'm hoping to get to know some of them better in the future so that they can give me some good tips on where to go for fun in Paris!
     I feel like I'm feeling getting to feel knowledgeable and comfortable here in Paris. The last week in February we have a break, so there will be no classes. I'm looking forward to spending this time getting to know Paris even more thoroughly. I've made a list of the places that I haven't visited yet... although many of them I'll save for nicer weather! It is still very cold here, with occasional snow that turns into rain. Everyone says this is abnormal for Paris, so I can't wait for it to get warmer and more temperate!
     I've also just posted a few pictures of the streets around where I live, as well as Notre Dame (which is only a few blocks away). You can find them on my Flickr page. I hope you enjoy them!