TBS Tips :)

Hello blog readers,

In a few weeks a group of students are coming in from University of Cincinnati. I AM SO EXCITED! I don't exactly know the people who are coming very well but I am nonetheless ecstatic for their arrival. I think that it will be really nice to be able to speak English freely and not have to worry if what I said made sense. I am not complaining about the English levels of those around me. English is their second language and they are AWESOME. However, it will be exciting to use idioms again... :P

I comprised a list of things that I've found after living here for a month. I thought that maybe people at home would like to see the things that I've discovered and learned about France/Toulouse in the short 6 weeks that I've lived here.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION:

• Call your bank and the numbers listed on the back of your card(s) and notify them of your traveling plans. It will take 10 minutes of your life before your departure but it is better than being in a foreign country with a useless card and no way of contacting the necessary people to fix it.
• On that note, make sure to ask a teller/consultant at your bank about their policy on withdrawing cash internationally because it may end up being easier/ less costly than you think.
• You will have the conversion rate, probably some type of international transaction fee, and an ATM fee. Those can add up. So when you draw out cash, draw out a lot. The international fee is probably based on the percentage of money you withdraw, that being said, just take out a bunch at once.
• I find it easier to deal in cash. Pretty much every place will be able to take your card. I've never had a problem with any of my cards so it is a viable option.
• Be mindful of the exchange rate. $1 = .70€
• There are a billion coins, you will have a pocket full of change. There is 1¢ 2¢ 5¢ 10¢ 20¢ 50¢ 1€ and 2€. Those are all coins... Annoying and superfluous but it is what it is.
• For the love of all things holy DO NOT exchange your money at the airport. They will gouge you with fees. There is this sketchy shop that literally changes money, very very very small fee if there is a fee at all. I can show you if you arrive with USD. I think you may still have time to ask your bank to order euros for your trip. If you take that route, do it soon because it will take about 4 weeks to get the euros to you. Just food for thought.

SAFETY:

• Toulouse is pretty safe. People are generally nice. Cincinnati is much more dangerous so use the same common sense but I wouldn't be overly worried.
• I've found that pick-pocketing is not a problem in Toulouse. Be aware of your surroundings and don't fling your purse just anywhere. Make sure that it is close to your body. Cross body, totes, handbags, etc. If it can go on your shoulder and under your armpit, that is the most ideal. Eat with your purse on your lap, between your legs, or secured to your chair/table. It is a crime of opportunity so don't give them the opportunity and you won't have any problems.
• The bums/homeless people are RELENTLESS. They are easy to spot out so just ignore them and if you must speak, "No merci monsieur! Au revoir!" AND KEEP WALKING. They will follow you if you lead them on. I was literally pushed around by one but they are pretty harmless. They just want some money or cigarettes.
• If it looks like a sketchy dark alley, don't walk down it.
• CARS WILL NOT STOP FOR YOU IF YOU ARE JAY WALKING. Watch and follow the traffic signs.
• Try your best to blend in as much as possible. It makes you less susceptible to harassment.
   Also, if you must speak on the metro in English try to speak in you "indoor" voice. As childish as that sounds, people can pinpoint that you are from the US and more likely than not it will lead to unwanted confrontations with weirdos and uncomfortable situations in a confined space.
   

GENERAL KNOWLEDGE:

• The French take their dogs everywhere. Stores, subways, buses, restaurants,
  anywhere. That being said, they do not pick up after their dogs. Be on the lookout for dog crap because it is all over the place.
• If you go out to eat... It will take 2 hours. The waiters don't like bothering you if you are eating or chatting with the people you are dining with. Also, you do not tip the waiters/waitresses, gratuity is included in the price.
• THE FRENCH ARE SOOOOOOO SLOW. Just be patient and learn how to sloooooow down.
• I drink bottled water so it is up to you as far as your water consumption method.
• Everyone smokes cigarettes.
• There will be accordions playing in major areas.
• JUST BECAUSE YOUR PLUG FITS DOESN'T MEAN IT WILL WORK. Check the labels on all your electronics because you need it to say "Input: 100V-240V" If it says that then all you need is the little converter to let you plug it in. If it is anything outside the 100V-240V then you need the adapter to change the voltage.
• The French military/ police will show up randomly with assault rifles and ride the metros around or hang out in the stops. Do not be alarmed. There isn't a bomb or anything. They just show up every so often to make sure the general public know they are present and in charge.
• THERE ISN'T A STARBUCKS ANYWHERE NEAR TOULOUSE
• The "faire la bise" or the cheek kissing is a little weird at first but don't let it freak you out. It means, "I recognize you" or "we know each other." Lean your head to the right to touch the other person's cheek with YOUR left cheek. Two kisses, one on each side and sometimes people do three. If you mess it up you may end up kissing someone on the mouth. I don't think that it will really be an issue for you because I started doing it about 4 weeks in.
• We consider the first floor of a building to be "Floor 1." However, here is is "Etage 0."
• The showers may not be as the showers are in the United States. It will likely be a hose with a shower head that is NOT attached to the wall and above your head. 
   So a shower head on a rope that you have to hold over yourself when you want to rinse off. (I hate it).
• The French firmly believe on not working on Sunday. Be prepared for anything and everything to be closed on Sundays or just at any random time. Grocery stores, convenient stores, restaurants, shops, etc. So make sure you have anything you'd ever need for Sunday's on Saturday night before 8:00pm
• There isn't anything that is 24/7 so just let that one go.
• The WiFi is ridiculously substandard when you compare it to that of the US... Your host family SHOULD have a much better connection than people living in student residences or other shared WiFi connections. The key word is SHOULD. I really hope that they do because I know how difficult the change will be and I went through it literally alone. However, try to not get super angry with it. I was livid for about 3 weeks straight but after you let it go, it is really freeing. 
• FREE WIFI ISN'T A THING IN EUROPE. Except at McDonald's. 

PACKING:

• The French dress very well and I urge you to do the same. I suggest not wearing t-shirts, sweatshirts or sweatpants out in public. There is a high chance that you will be socially ostracized. However, nice sneakers are completely acceptable.
• Bring black and a lot of it.
• Boots with short heels (2-4 inches) super cute and I promise you won't be mad if you bring them.
• As far as clothing goes... If you haven't worn it in the past month in the US then don't bring it. If you don't wear it at home, you will not wear it here.
• Converters converters converters. Bring at least 3 or 4. It will be the "Northern Europe" ones. The fat, two-pronged ones. It is silly but I only brought two and I've bought 3 more since I've been here.
• Get an international hairdryer. The required input is ridiculously high on hairdryers and it will blow up if you have the wrong voltage.
• This sounds stupid but bring your own toiletries. The toiletries that are sold here are grossly overpriced and ridiculously small. Bring whatever you will need for the amount of time. You have 50lbs for your suitcase. Use it wisely.
• Put all your bottles liquid soap/makeup/toiletries in ziplocked bags. And it wouldn't kill  you to tape the lids shut. One of mine exploded and it was really annoying.
• I don't know how the host family situation will be but bring a towel for your shower.
• Backpacks are OKAY but very rare with girls. I'd bring a large tote bag for your school supplies.
• Bring a notebook or two because simple lined paper (as we use) isn't available here. The paper available here either doesn't have lines, is graphing paper or paper with like 100000 lines.
• Netflix doesn't work in Europe. So entertainment for your downtime is a must. There is a way to make it work but my internet is too slow for youtube... So there's that
• Bring an umbrella or a raincoat.
• BRING MEDICINE. If you have or get allergies/headaches/heartburn/sinuses often bring whatever you need for that. Medicine is not as available as it is in the US. Bring your Allegra, Advil, Pepto Bismal, Zertec etc.
• Just word to the wise. Don't waltz around with your passport out in the open. Hide it because someone can/will take it from you. Bring copies of your passport/visa/isics card.
• Side note, the only reason I've ever used a money belt was to transport my passport. Bring one if it makes you feel better but honestly, I've only used it twice in Toulouse.
• Keep your receipts for anything you will return with. Clothing/souvenirs/gifts/what have you. You will be taxed twice if you don't show your proof of purchase at customs.
• When dealing with customs, you are a student, you are here to study. Use short phrases. Act normal. You have nothing to hide. Just don't yammer on and on.
     

SCHOOLING:

• The French schooling system is extremely different. Be open and accepting.
   Pretty much everyone hates it so just know you are not alone in your feelings towards it.
• The French kids are the worst group members ever... That is not an exaggeration. 
• The classes are 3 hours or 4 hours long. They will begin at either 8:30am or 9:00am and end at either 5:00pm or 5:30pm. You have two hour lunch breaks so that is nice :)
• The cafeteria ladies only speak French. They are kind of bitchy if you try English with them so just ask someone standing next to you in line. They will help you out. Lunch will be 3€-5€ so carry cash if you want to buy lunch at the school.
• The campus is out in the middle of nowhere and there is only one building. It will probably take about 30-45 minutes to get there each morning. You will probably have to take a subway and a bus to get there. The buses are the annoying part because they leave every 20 minutes to 30 minutes. So don't miss the bus. Schedules are provided so that shouldn't be a problem.
• English is probably the professors' second language so be patient with them as well. They really don't like when you correct them so just have some tact.
• The keyboards are non-qwerty. They have a different set-up so be sure to look before you type.
• There will be tons of students from all over the world in your classes and most of them have great English skills.

Nothing will go according to plan... So just roll with it.