Settling in....

Settling in...

 

With two weeks of REAL french life under my belt, I felt it was just about time for another update. I think headings are necessary:

Lectures

I have now started to attend french lectures, understanding very little but finding it very amusing all the same. (actually writing this on my iPad during a International public law lecture right now-use of time and all that!) Im also studying criminal, contract, private and constitutional law...all in french. 

French students, thank god, are ALOT more conscientious in lectures than we are in England. They hang on to every word from the lecture, and you always know when the lecturer is saying something of great importance when you hear a wave of typing sweep the massive, draughty lecture theatre. Thats when I try to listen harder. However, as we have been advised on many occasions, tip number one for erasmus students is to approach one of the said conscientious french students and explain how you are a poor erasmus student and its too difficult for us to listen, understand and write our notes in lectures so would they mind emailing me theirs and they mainly cant wait to help and I have got my speech down to a T. So basically our lectures are spent mostly trying to unravel what is being said, working out the dates and sections of the code civil they throw at us then comparing, with great hilarity, what ridiculous made-up word we each thought they might have said!!

I have been told that in a few weeks I will notice an improvement on the speed of unravelling, and I must admit I have already noticed this improvement. Slow but steady!!

Cooking

Baguettes, croissants, baguettes, baguettes and some pasta and pesto. This is no exaggeration of the consistence of my diet thus far. Not great, and I have grown about three more bellies thanks to ridiculous amount of carbs consumed. Its basically impossible to eat well here, the kitchen provided in halls can not really be described as a kitchen; more of a room of worktops with a sink and two hobs-shared with like 60 people. No oven, no microwave, no utensils - NIGHTMARE!! Thankfully, the rents bought me a double hob and cupboard to put in my room and the main utensils and I have managed to make a spag bol - big achievement. The other option is the RESTO U, basically a massive cafeteria serving hot food for 3 euros a go. Pas mal. 

Sports

Sports integration has begun this week! Very exciting news for me-no more running aimlessly and getting profoundly lost in this strange city and getting strange looks doing push-ups in the park! So much to do and get involved in which is great, and it only costs 10 euros for sports membership for the year which includes gym membership, unlimited swimming, classes and sports clubs! Unbelievable! Monday was devoted to trying out water-polo which is probably my new favourite sport. Being the only girl that turned up, I was got well and truly stuck in trying to prove my ability despite being a girl aaand I was only pushed under the water a few times-bonus!! Tuesday, i attended the competitive swimming class, training as I did when I was at school, a bit of a blast from the past and im not sure im going to carry on doing that. Have still got rowing, salsa, body sculpt, box fit, running club and yoga to try! 

Nightlife

Best till last-still absolutely loving life in the LOVE BOAT. But you will be pleased to know that we have broadened our horizons and allowed ourselves to sample some other Nancy nightclubs. Namely, 'LE CHAT NOIR' nightclub, which entails a revolving dance floor (very confusing after too much vin rosé!!), 'L'ENVERS' nightclub which entails a park slide as an option for entry in the club. At which point I would like to point out that the said additional elements to the nightclubs do not necessarily comply with any sort of health and safety regs, deffo a recipe for disaster for the Brit Kidz in the near future! Last night, Sarah and I sampled two more upmarket clubs in the centre of the city, but sadly, these clubs did not have any such crazy features but still provided a wicked night! I even met a fleet of olympic rowers - win! 

So although I could go on forever, I think this ESSAY of a post pretty much sums up my life here so far. Feeling really happy and settled now after a few wobbly days at the start. Meeting some amazing friends and loving french life, relaxed to the max - a never ending holiday. Vive ERASMUS.

Ciao for now!! 

BISOUS XOO

Touchdown

La vie française

Salut mes amies!!

Firstly, I am happy to announce that i am alive, well and just about coping with everything that being une etudiante francaise throws at me. Today is the evening of my 6th day (crikes Iv been here for a week) and i have 100% fallen in love with the town of Nancy. It is beaut. I would even go as far as to say that it is more beautiful than Paris which is obviously a big statement.

 The town itself represents an idyllic view of a typical french town, with streets after streets of grand stonewashed buildings with massive doors, and windows with private balconies and shutters. In the centre of town is place stanislas, a big square with venecian influenced architecture, lined with cafés in which it is easy to pass hours with a glass of vin rosé watching the world go by. There is also a new york style central park called Park a la pepienere, great place for chillaxing, using the outdoor gym, going to the zoo (there is a zoo in the middle of this park) and for attending concerts at the outdoor theatre - just lovely.

So aside from my lonely planet-esque quide to Nancy, my arrival here on friday was, as expected a little bit turbulent. Thanks to sally the sat-nav, we located my halls fairly quickly and on arrival the moody, unwelcoming and quite frankly fat receptionist asked me for my halls confirmation letter. At this point, i nearly exploded with anger because i did not receive such a document despite furious telephoning and emailing the residence. So she gave me an evil glare and proceeded to shuffle through piles of paper until she came across my application with my mug shot attached. Anyway - i finally got the keys to some halls down the road to the one i applied for. A dirty, depressive looking equivalent to the halls i applied for. The room i had been allocated was DISGUSTING, yellow stained thin mattress, disgusting sink and desk chair and the window was probably the only window in Nancy without a shutter!! Now, I wouldnt describe myself as a princess in most situations and i normally get on with it. However, the thought of living in that dingy room for the whole year practicaly reduced me to tears. So, long story short - I complained to said horrible reception lady who phoned the 'directrice' to see if i could be re- allocated to a better room. A better room which i am now tucked up in bed in, a better room with a window shutter, an en-suite, lovely mattress etc etc. HAPPY DAYS.

So after dumping my bags in my better room I left to make my way to the welcome meeting for erasmus students in the faculté de droit (the law school). I obviously got lost as i only left myself 15 mins to get there and i was obviously 25minutes late - standard behaviour. Although it seems that being late is easily forgiven here which bodes well for me as i would be late for my own funeral. The lecturer jabbered on in french for a good two hours explaining how great this year will be for us - even though theres gonna be loads of work. I quickly noticed that there was a large section of brit kidz in the meeting and Monsieur Gassier warned us that the brit kidz are renowned for hanging out together and this is something we must not do because we will not improve our french. And what did we do? We all got together that evening, pre drank a bottle of €2 vin rosé and continued to get suitably trashed together at the welcome evening in the LOVE BOAT. The LOVE BOAT for future reference

 is absolutely amazing, we brit kidz absolutely can not get enough of the LOVE BOAT with its playlist mainly consisting of hits from the 90s' (Shania Twain and the Spice Girls) and it is likely that we will surpass many a soiree there. I did, however, integrate with the other erasmus students, have met lots of lovely german girls, a greek guy who is 'mon meillure amie' (basically my new gay best friend) - i hope Monsieur Gassier will be proud. But the brit kidz are deffo winning in the popularity stakes, they are all lovely, up for a laugh and bring a little bit of home with them.

In other news - i have succesfully managed to set up my own french bank account, french phone, i have bought and eaten lots of baguettes, and attended and understood a few sentences of REAL french law lectures. I would say im nearly a fully fledged french citizen. Very nearly. 

Start booking in your visits people - i cant wait.

BISOUS XXXXXOOOO

Pre-Nancy nerves

Heeelloooo world of bloggers!!!

As I am about to embark on my first adult adventure...I thought I should mark the momentous occasion by creating a blog in order to note my ramblings and sure to be ridiculous experiences of my year abroad in Nancy, France. Even if this blog is of absolutely no interest to readers (likely), I think it is a necessary requirement for my own records in years to come!

I have known about this upcoming year for at least three years now, and up until now it has existed as a semi-conscious section in my head, having not really thought or done anything significant in order to prepare. And now, I have three days until my departure and it still hasn't sunk in that I am moving to a different country to study more of the stupid law and this time it will be in FRENCH. (lol). Having already meandered through two years of studying Law at Reading University I'm not sure how much of my time I will religiously devote to my studies. Im aiming to pass the year academically and ace the year socially. Fair aim in my opinion. 

My knowledge of Nancy so far is somewhat limited. Its definitely on the border of Germany, it's definitely around 3 hours from the likes of Paris and Brussels (where I am flying into on Friday) and its definitely around 87km from the nearest ski resort (saaweeet) according to my friend Chantelle who willbe joining me on my nancy legal adventure!!

So basically, I have three days to organise my life, pack my required crap into two 20kg suitcases, say my goodbyes and get my cool, and French chic head on in order to make a big impression on Friday ready for the International student's welcome party in the discotheque 'Love Boat'. CANT WAIT!!!

Peace for now and a Gros BISOUS 

Em xxx