My New School!

I finally got to visit my university, Paris X - Nanterre, today! The campus is a little bit west of Paris and about a 45 minute commute. The campus is bigger, and more American looking, than most French campuses. At first, I was unimpressed. The architecture is nothing like it is in downtown Paris. But, as we toured the campus, I started to really appreciate it.

The campus seems relatively easy to get around and everyone is very friendly. It was hard to get a real sense for what it will be like once the semester starts because so few people were there. But, we got to look at the enormous library, pool, fitness center, tennis/basketball/vollyball courts, and academic buildings. A lot of the architecture is very contemporary and the buildings are very interesting on the inside. I wish I had taken pictures!

Our tour was led by the student who runs a group for integrating international students. As we walked with him through the campus, he kept stopping to talk with various other groups of students. The first group was the Spaniards, the next were the Germans, and we were perpetually presented as "the Americans," so I get the sense that it's a very multicutural campus, which is exciting. Tomorrow night I might be going to dinner/party on a boat on the Seine to get to know other international students. I'm really excited about it so I hope I am able to go!

I also hope that I'll be able to take their placement exam soon so I can pick my courses and FINALLY have an idea of what my life will look like for the next few months!