Pre Departure Notes: Part 2

Hi everyone! My date of departure is coming up very quickly and I am getting more excited minute by minute! Here is the second portion of my required pre-departure notes:

1. Dean Foster: Doing Business in FRANCE

• Second largest trading nation in western Europe
• Stronger national culture
• Don't be afraid to speak the language
• Preblem solving is more detailed, pay attention to this when providing proposals and negotiating
• Put time into developing a relationship
• Be genuine, show interest, and be personable

2. Basic French - French Travel Phrases 

• Some French phrases to keep in mind!
• Je prends l'avion pour Paris - I'm taking a plane to Paris
• J'ai réservé une chambre - I reserved a room
• Mon parable ne marche pas ici - My cell phone does not work here

3. Traveller's Survival French 

• Start and end conversations in French! 
• It's always important to try speaking French, even if you aren't perfect!
• Don't forget the differences between feminine and masculine. 

4. Learn basic French: The best basic French toolkit

• Ca: that/this (use this a lot!)
• Don't be afraid to be over polite. 
• Carte - menu
• Practice masculine/feminine
• L'addition - the bill

5. Metro and RER Lines and Signs

• France by Train
• Many trainstations, although different, use internationally used pictograms
• Many train station attendees speak English
• Train stations present time in military form
• Paris Metro Map
• Quickest way to get around Paris
• Possibility of getting the Paris Visite Metro Pass?

Pre Departure Notes: Part 1

Hello all! I've started this side blog as a way to document my exciting trip to Paris, France! I'll be jetting off to "la ville d'amour" on the fifteenth and I couldn't be more excited. It's not my first time, but I'm looking forward to having a more relaxed, slower experience so that I can really soak up the amazing culture I've missed so much. Because this I'm going to Paris as a study abroad experience, I've been asked to take notes on several small videos and articles before I go. As someone who's already been to France, I hope I can compare these to what I already know, and learn some more!

1. Paris, France: Lunching on the Seine by Rick Steves

• What interesting food! I didn't get a great chance to try the amazing tastes of Paris last time, I will definitely try more the next time I go. I love being adventurous and the "steak tartare" is something I am going to seek out. 
• Must make list of foods I need to try.
• I love that the French take their time eating a meal. Taking a minute and truly enjoying the many flavors life has to offer is something we don't do in America enough!

2. Paris, France: Latin Quarter Cafe Culture

• This is the area that my friend and I will be staying two days before classes begin. I can't wait to set of on our own and experience typical French "café culture."
• Winding streets are what I think of when remembering France. Cities are often not laid out like the grid patterns we see here in the US, which makes exploring much more fun!
• I had no clue this area has so much history relating to great artists and writers, I wonder if there are any famous artists that resided in the 5th Arrondissement? 

3. Paris, France: Orsay Museum

• I've only used the Metro once in France, and don't remember it much, but I'm very excited to be able to get to know the city on my own by way of the metro.
• As a city-goer, I've been on a few subway systems and each of them are slightly different, but easy to figure out. I wonder if this will be simple too.

4. Paris, France: Rue Cler Street Market

• One of the things I'm most excited about is going back and seeing the open, fresh food markets.
• Cheese! My friend and I are going to have to have our own cheese and wine party for ourselves.
• Everything is so fresh, I can't wait to try!

5. How to Follow Proper Business Etiquette in France

• Having business cards in French is something I never would have thought of.
• Know a few key phrases in French.
• No appointments in July or August, heaving vacation months! 
• Use low-key, logical presentations.