I realized that I have not covered the topic of studying abroad very thoroughly in my blog, and now I will tell you all about my happenings because of my imminent departure.
Basically, NYU has a branch (yes, let's call it that) in Paris. In the 16ème arrondissement. I have luckily found an apartment just a stone's throw away from the little campus on my own through the wonderful suggestions from the housing coordinator.
Why did I not choose to go through the housing process that NYU provides?
Because my mother will be joining me for two weeks upon arrival, and I thought it would be best to get an apartment sooner than later. She's very lucky that her job allows her this much flexibility. In fact, I'm pretty lucky to have her coming with me. At first, I was quite reluctant because I felt that I was being babied. Now, as we approach my departure, I'm growing more and more grateful that she's coming.
In the NYU branch in Paris, there are two programs. Program I, and Program II. The differences? Program I is for those who are new French speakers, those who have, what the site says, "little or no knowledge of French." Whereas Program II is for "students with one or more courses beyond intermediate French." Thus, all the courses in Program II are taught en Français.
Et moi? Where does that put me? After years of IB and AP French (my high school was just cool like that...), and courses in college, I'm in Program II.
If you haven't taken a college-leveled French class, you can always take a placement exam at NYU to see where you place. Convenient, non?
So being in Program II, I am thoroughly pleased...very excited, very petrified. My courses? Here:
1. Spoken (or Written, haven't quite decided) Contemporary French
2. Workshop in French Language/Culture (required 2 unit course)
3. Business French (being adventurous, as you can see)
4. Paris Through Its Museums and Monuments (Oh yes)
5. European Society and Cinema (Score!)
Not too shabby, right? Je vais faire tous en Français. Alors, j'espère que je parle assez bien.
I am so sorry to have passed up this wonderful opportunity to talk about all of this. But, really, if you have any questions, do contact me. I have all the 411 about IB and AP tests, French courses here, and all the juicy stuff in between.
Right now, I'm just looking to buy some ground voltage converters and all that jazz. There's only a week left until I have to leave, and I've already changed my schedule once...and I've been in contact with my landlord, right?
She's a really great woman. I e-mail her and ask her a question, and within five minutes (I swear) she calls me back with an answer. Unfortunately, her English is quite limited, and so our conversations consist of something like:
Her: Uh...allo?
Me: Yes?
Her: Do you ah...speak...Français?
Me: Oui, je parle un petit peu français.
Her: Je vous dis que vous avez les choses très important dans votre appartement et comme etc etc
Me: Uh, oui...
Her: Comprenez-vous?
Me: Aah...oouui...
Basically, she speaks too quickly for my taste. LUCKILY though, she e-mails me also. Whew. But I'm sure she has been telling me more than she's been writing me.
Well, oh well. C'est la vie.
Also, for you potential Communications majors (kind of like me!), if you want to study abroad in Paris, and at the same time take courses to fulfill your major requirements, then you'd probably be looking at AUP. The American University in Paris (or of Paris?).
The AUP is in the 8e arrondissement (I believe) and it offers communication courses. The thing is that because it's not an NYU location, there are often complications between the course units. So, it's just a little messier to be going to AUP. But, all the courses are taught in English, and it's basically true to its name: an American University that happens to be in Paris.
Since I'm a Communications major, you may be asking me Why didn't I choose to go to AUP to continue taking Communication courses? 3 reasons:
1. With AP and IB credits (yes, I did get a full IB diploma and take many AP courses), I'm kind of on the track of early graduation (by a year!), so I'd like to take a breather.
2. I'm minoring in French. So what better place to complete my minor than in France?
3. Look at the courses I can choose to take! Bellisima! Oh wait, that's Italiano.
Hopefully that covers some confusion between the two programs. Basically, i felt like if I were going to study abroad, I needed to get my bang for my buck, and I felt I wouldn't have done myself justice by going abroad learning in English, ya know what I'm saying?
If you guys are lucky, you will all get the same opportunity to study abroad. :)
Here, though, is something I've finished artfully:
Before:
After:
