Paris Information Guide Everything you need to know while in Paris! Table des matières Contact Information ............................................................................................................... 5 Our address .................................................................................................................................................................................. 5 How to get there ......................................................................................................................................................................... 5 Office Hours ................................................................................................................................................................................. 5 The MICEFA Team ................................................................................................................... 6 Communication ...................................................................................................................... 7 Student Mail and E-mail ......................................................................................................................................................... 7 Cell Phones or “Téléphones portaBles” ............................................................................................................................ 7 Cell Phone carriers .................................................................................................................................................................... 7 Internet Services ........................................................................................................................................................................ 8 Wi-fi Hotspots in Paris ............................................................................................................................................................ 8 Transportation ....................................................................................................................... 9 The Paris metro system (RATP: Régie Autonome de Transport Parisien) ...................................................... 9 Carte Imagine “R” ...................................................................................................................................................................... 9 Carte Navigo découverte ........................................................................................................................................................ 9 Passes ............................................................................................................................................................................................. 9 General Information ............................................................................................................. 10 Electrical Appliances .............................................................................................................................................................. 10 Computers .................................................................................................................................................................................. 10 Budgeting .................................................................................................................................................................................... 10 Cost of Living in Paris ............................................................................................................................................................ 11 Housing ........................................................................................................................................................................................ 11 Books ............................................................................................................................................................................................ 11 Meals ............................................................................................................................................................................................. 11 Personal Expenses .................................................................................................................................................................. 12 Employment ............................................................................................................................................................................... 12 Entertainment ........................................................................................................................................................................... 12 Travel ............................................................................................................................................................................................ 12 Housing ........................................................................................................................................................................................ 12 Housing References/ Listings ............................................................................................................................................ 13 Key Housing Terms ................................................................................................................................................................. 13 Final steps for your visa once in France ................................................................................. 14 For American Students .......................................................................................................................................................... 14 Travelling and your visa ....................................................................................................................................................... 15 For Canadian Students .......................................................................................................................................................... 15 Travelling and your visa ....................................................................................................................................................... 16 Further Information ............................................................................................................................................................... 16 Additional Procedures: Renewing your visa ............................................................................................................... 17 Cultural Adjustment ............................................................................................................. 17 Signs of Culture Shock ........................................................................................................................................................... 17 Coping Strategies ..................................................................................................................................................................... 18 Safety ............................................................................................................................................................................................. 18 When in Paris, do as the Parisians ........................................................................................ 20 Tone of Voice ............................................................................................................................................................................. 20 Politeness .................................................................................................................................................................................... 20 Cultural Relativity ................................................................................................................................................................... 20 Dating and Sex .......................................................................................................................................................................... 20 Some useful vocabulary and information ..................................................................................................................... 20 Pharmacies ................................................................................................................................................................................. 21 Clinics ............................................................................................................................................................................................ 22 Academics ............................................................................................................................ 22 Class Attendance ...................................................................................................................................................................... 22 Teaching Methods ................................................................................................................................................................... 22 Teacher/ Student Rapport 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