Here, There and Everywhere

It’s official-- I’ve been here a full week and what a whirlwind week it has been. There’s almost too much to talk about, too many things that have happened or that are different (for better or for worse). It’s just not real. And every time I sit down and try to write what I see, it’s like there’s not enough time or words to fully describe anything and everything.

I arrived in Lille after a very long day on a train that did not disappoint me in both the other travelers as well as being much better than any American train, even with the rushed transfers and the train that had to be returned to the station. Let’s just say that my opinion that European trains are better than American trains remains true. Getting into the dorm was quite the experience. I don’t know if people haven’t thought it through or what was going on, but they don’t give you your key at the housing place, but you have to go pick it up at your dorm, which you need a key to get into. It’s a major Catch-22. And by the time I carried and dragged all my luggage through Vieux Lille (Old Lille), I was not happy to have to bang and knock on the door of my dorm. Needless to say, once I actually got into the dorm and settled in, I realized that I really am in Europe and in a pretty nice dorm. There are some things that take getting used to, but nothing that I can’t handle.

The whole of last week was basically running around during the day and then meeting up with other international students. I wish that could be like that every day because even I still don’t think I could learn to get around this city fully. It’s so much different than any city I’m really used to because of all the side streets, streets that don’t connect, and alleys that would be very helpful to know. I’m sure I’ll eventually figure out how to get around to the really important places, aka La Catho and the grocery store to give you some examples. I’m trying out a “new” way to get La Catho tomorrow… it should be interesting. My other huge excitement includes the fact that I have to cook for myself for the first time in my life. Knowing that, I think I’ve been relatively successful (though some may not believe it) cooking such a variety of dishes as chicken, grilled veggies, baked potatoes, and pasta. Pretty advanced for a learner, I’d say.

Let’s just say that there isn’t a shortage of international students here and we all can pretty much recognize each other, especially if we’re in FLSH. I think the class registration was a good bonding time since everyone was so confused and you had to help each other out because we have to put together a schedule that no French student would ever have, partially because we do take classes from a variety of academic areas. This, unfortunately (or fortunately) creates havoc when making a schedule and uneven class schedules for the semester. For instance, I go basically from 10:30 AM to 9 PM on Tuesdays, but then have no classes on Fridays. Today, being the first day of classes, can honestly say I think I prefer the system I am most used to, but I guess that’s natural and partly stems from the fact that international students have totally different schedules than the French students. But honestly, would an email saying that the classroom has been changed be really that hard? I think not.

So far in my one class, I know a couple people I met over the past week. I’m not sure for all of my classes, but I at least know one or two in most of them. I think that helps out a ton, but we’ll see when I end up in a class where I know no one. It’s bound to happen with at least one or two classes since I’m taking 10 classes this semester, though it may not. Living in the dorms and away from the other two people from St. Norbert has really been helpful in getting to know people. And the fact that there is a decent mixture of people that were here last semester as well as others that are new like me is reassuring. One, I won’t die over here or be emotionally scarred by the differences, but also that I’m not the only one in the boat.

This past week has brought about a lot of new and exciting experiences and I have no doubt that this next week will be just as interesting!

Interesting Experience: Market on Sunday... talk about sensory overload!