words of wisdom

lost and foundMy advice to other students planning to study abroad: first of all, just do it. Anxieties that might seem almost insurmountable usually work themselves out--fears that I had prior to coming to Paris are almost laughable now. The first step is just getting there, and after that, all you really need is an open mind. It’s important for your own happiness and sanity to have a sense of agency, and to feel that you are capable of getting things done, and of navigating the city. Therefore, get out as much as possible, explore, and talk to people (in their language) as best as you can. Living in a foreign country can be exhausting, especially when you first arrive, and the temptation to just stay inside and speak English exclusively is hard to resist, but your effort definitely pays off.
Before you go, you’re going to have to deal with a lot of paperwork, and the whole process—especially when getting your visa—is pretty stressful. But along the way, take some time to do some research into the place where you will be staying. I’m not suggesting reading a ton of guidebooks; you should be able to find lots of useful information online about things like good restaurants, shopping, etc in your city, and especially in the area in which you will be living. It’s valuable to do a little reading up in advance, because it makes the city seem more accessible and real to you. I began the year with a list of places I wanted to return to, and of new places I wanted to visit. Having that information available to me meant that, wherever I happened to be, I could go to a museum or have a great cup of coffee if I got the urge. It doesn’t really matter what approach you take to the city—my roommate has spent the term trying Vietnamese food all over Paris, for instance. The important thing is to find reasons to leave your neighborhood, and to visit parts of the city that you might otherwise ignore.
My other piece of advice, which is actually kind of contrary to the idea of doing research, is to get lost as often as possible. As you’re walking around, try to be open to possibilities, and turn down unfamiliar streets. Much of a city’s character is found off of the main thoroughfares, and some of my favorite stores, restaurants, and places in Paris are ones that I have stumbled across purely by accident.
Finally, a short list of my must-sees in Paris: falafel on rue des rosiers, hammam at the mosquee de Paris, café crème at your café au coin, the pompidou center, the promenade plantee, any and all marches and brocantes, place des vosqes with some friends and a quart of strawberries, the village voice bookstore, crepes at breizh café, dancing at the pop-in, and everything at rose bakery.