Surprisingly, I haven't been too tempted to procrastinate, recently. Finals are coming up and I've had a spurt of gumption, but it's time for a study break since I officially initiated my visa application this weekend.
Applying for a visa to study in France has...a lot of steps. First you have to submit an online form, then you have to mail in a money order, and THEN you can make arrangements for an appointment at your consulate to see if it will be possible for you to get a visa. Additionally, the online form was written in Franglais, and none too easy to decipher at all times...and then the fee via money order really just adds insult to injury, although I guess I see why they'd want their payment to come guaranteed. On the other hand, they charged me an extra $1.05...why should it cost extra when I'm just buying money?
And so it begins...now I just have to figure out how to arrange my consulate visit and make sure I'm not forgetting any important forms. Woooo!!
Showing posts with label complaining. Show all posts
Showing posts with label complaining. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Info Sesh-a-go-go
What: A pre-departure info session
When: Yesterday
Why: To educate us about the dangers of going abroad and particularly how to act appropriately in other countries
What I Learned About France (from a handout...and some light commentary)
GENERAL PROTOCOL: Natives are appalled by the way anyone else speaks French - including some other Frenchmen.
NAMES/GREETINGS: A light handshake is the usual form of greeting, but a visitor should not offer his hand to a person of superior authority. (And here I was teaching myself how to do three kisses on the cheek as opposed to two...dag.)
APPOINTMENTS/PUNCTUALITY: Prior appointments are the rule. Punctuality is a sign of courtesy. (But my French French Prof. said time is fluid in France...so much for that, I guess.)
HOSPITALITY/GIFT GIVING: An invitation to visit someone's home, even after long acquaintance, is rare. But for that occasion, a small gift of flowers (not roses or chrysanthemums) or chocolates for the hostess will be appreciated.
Cuisine, and therefore noon and evening meals, are an important and respected part of daily life.
Gifts that appeal to intellect or esthetics are especially appreciated.
(...but what if I want to bring roses?)
CONVERSATION: Avoid personal questions, politics, and money as topics of conversation.
Also, something I deduced on my own: they eat a lot of fish in Nantes. I'd better start practicing with some tuna sandwiches...
When: Yesterday
Why: To educate us about the dangers of going abroad and particularly how to act appropriately in other countries
What I Learned About France (from a handout...and some light commentary)
GENERAL PROTOCOL: Natives are appalled by the way anyone else speaks French - including some other Frenchmen.
NAMES/GREETINGS: A light handshake is the usual form of greeting, but a visitor should not offer his hand to a person of superior authority. (And here I was teaching myself how to do three kisses on the cheek as opposed to two...dag.)
APPOINTMENTS/PUNCTUALITY: Prior appointments are the rule. Punctuality is a sign of courtesy. (But my French French Prof. said time is fluid in France...so much for that, I guess.)
HOSPITALITY/GIFT GIVING: An invitation to visit someone's home, even after long acquaintance, is rare. But for that occasion, a small gift of flowers (not roses or chrysanthemums) or chocolates for the hostess will be appreciated.
Cuisine, and therefore noon and evening meals, are an important and respected part of daily life.
Gifts that appeal to intellect or esthetics are especially appreciated.
(...but what if I want to bring roses?)
CONVERSATION: Avoid personal questions, politics, and money as topics of conversation.
Also, something I deduced on my own: they eat a lot of fish in Nantes. I'd better start practicing with some tuna sandwiches...
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