Registered for classes

Jan 6, 2014

Today was a pretty busy day. At 11am I met at the API with other students who are interested in doing an internship teaching English at a local French middle or high school. I haven't been assigned to a school yet so it's not official, but if the coordinator can find a school near my area that can accomodate my university schedule (which I purposely left open for this internship), I should get it!

After the meeting about the internship, API served us some galette des rois ("King Cake") -- a cake made to celebrate the Epiphany. There's a figurine inside and whoever's piece has the figurine inside of it is the king or queen for the day.

After eating the cake, API brought us to Paris Diderot to register for classes because foreign students cannot register online and instead have to register each class separately with its department secretary, which was a pain. So we had to look at classes offered on a bunch of bulletin boards and write down the course titles, numbers and class times. API made (or at least strongly suggested) that we register for more classes than we are going to take in case we decide to drop 1 or 2 of them. This was actually really annoying because I'm almost positive I'm going to drop a couple that I don't really want. It would be fine if I could drop them online, but I'll have to go back to the secretary to drop them in person.

I think I'll be taking History of the 20th century, History: big cities during the Enlightenment, and a French to English translation course. I also have to take a class once a week at the API center on intercultural relations, and I'll hopefully get accepted to the teaching internship.

The Diderot campus is a little confusing so even though we were given a tour I still don't really know where anything is. The good thing is that most of the other API students studying at Diderot chose the same classes as I did so we should be able to figure the campus out together, haha.

Registering for classes took a couple hours, but once we fnished we got the rest of the day to do whatever. Nathan and I needed to buy some things so we decided to find the Carrefour closest to our host family's apartment. Note to self: never go to a French grocery store/market around 5-7pm ever again. It was packed and we waited in line for over an hour before we checked out.

When we got back to the apartment, we finally met one of the Swedish students who are living with us. Her name is Agnes. She introduced herself in English -- I don't know if it's because she doesn't like speaking French or thought we wouldn't be able to communicate with her in French, or if she just likes speaking English. I should meet the other girl tomorrow.

I'm exhausted from having meetings/orientations and running errands all day. But tomorrow should be a lot better. The only thing API is making us do is meet to go on a walking tour of Le Marais, which is divided into two parts: the west side is known for its LGBT scene and the east side is where the majority of the Jewish community lives in Paris. It's also a district known for fashion and art galleries. It should be a lot fun!