A Girl's Survival Guide: Dating in France

Credit: Joanna Kitchener

What's more romantic than falling in love in the city of love? Almost every girl that goes studying abroad dreams about falling in love in Paris, even I went through that phase. But before you venture out into the world of dating French men there's a couple things you must know.

Study Abroad Horror Stories

I know I usually don't focus on the bad things that could happen when you go study abroad but it is important for me to acknowledge that things do happen. Today in my Commercial French class we were talking about cultural differences and some study abroad horror stories. Most of the people in my class are international business major and my professor was the head of the IB study abroad program for 9 years so he has a fair share of problems that he's had to resolve.

American vs. French Universities round 2!

It is back to school week here at SDSU and the transition back to the American university has been easy but incredibly frustrating. I know in my initial post I said that I preferred the American system because it was all I knew prior to experiencing the French university system, but now that I'm back I have to admit I miss the French system a lot.

I have found here that...

1. Students don't take school seriously.
2. Professors joke around and/or distracted and don't get right to the point.
3. Professors revolve the class around the textbook instead of the subject.

American vs. French Universities

So after studying in Paris for a semester I've compiled a list of things that I like and dislike about the French university system. Just as you'd expect there's a lot of differences between the two systems but you'd be surprised what things I'm complaining about or maybe not if you're French.

Q&A #1

Last semester tumblr user aminataaa (who's French) asked me a couple of questions regarding how I felt about attending a French university and the French. I thought they were really good questions so instead of answering them on Tumblr I've decided to dedicate entirely to her questions. If you have any questions please don't hesitate to email me or send me questions on Tumblr, I'm looking forward doing more of these posts in order to help current and future study abroad students.

A Californian's Tips on how to stay warm in the fall

My fall essentials: Warm headband, button-down shirts, and  a wool sweater.

Yes, you've read correctly... IN THE FALL! Despite the common misconception it does get cold in Southern California... for about two months in the year but the point is that is does get cold. Paris currently feels like San Diego in the winter which is about 30º-50ºF. I have already seen my fellow Californians walk around like a stuffed animal by wearing a ton of layers and their fluffiest jacket as if it was already snowing. I've even read on Facebook statuses that the heater has already become their best friend. Let me tell you I'm not doing any of that because my plan of attack is to get used to the cold since I know that it's just going to get even colder in the coming weeks.

USA vs. France: Concert Edition

Venue: La Cigale

Artist: SebastiAn, member of the Ed Rec crew performing at Festival Les Inrocks

First day of class in Paris

Usually the night before I go back to school I have a lot of trouble sleeping and when I wake up I'm just a complete mess. My nervousness kicks into high gear and I have to keep my fingers crossed so that I don't spend over 20 minutes finding parking, but here in Paris it was a whole different story.