Center for University Programs Abroad (CUPA)

CUPA (Center for Undergraduate Programs) is an excellent program for motivated students who enjoy trully exploring a foreign country. CUPA enables you to take classes at any of the thirteen or so universities in Paris (Paris I, II, III, IV, VIII, XIII, etc.), you can also take classes at the Science Pro, the Institut Catholique and for very motivated students at the Ecole normale supérieure. CUPA works with each student individually to find out his or her interests and then points to you where you can find those courses. If you are less adventurous, CUPA also offers its own courses which are taught by French professors and which are very small and typically excellent. One course that has remained popular for many years is the History of Art and Architecture in Paris taught by Professor Boicos which enables you to spend one day of the week in the class room and the other day exploring different museums and architectural sites in Paris. CUPA is a small program with I think a maximum of 40 students. It is catered to students who are academically ambitious and who wish to emmerge with French culture. The directors (one French, one American) are extremely friendly and eagerly encourage their students to go to cultural events by reimbursing opera, theater, and other artistic events and by organizing classes for students specific interests (i.e. nude model drawing courses, music lessons, etc.).

Definitely go away and live somewhere. It is, I think, the most important experience you can have in your life. Learning another language is incredible and gives you access to a whole other experience, people, and culture. I am now on my second stint abroad and am actively trying to think where I can go next and how I can get there. If you have any questions about CUPA, please feel free to write me an iNote. cheers

Plan a couple of travelling excursions early on, it will be cheaper and you'll have something to look forward to so you don't get really homesick or unmotivated in the beginning.

This was a while back (1993-1994) but I am living again in Paris and have some fun spots. Scherckan on Rue Oberkampf is a very cool bar and place to get a great not to expensive steak (the Pave Scherckan). It is very small, intimate, mostly French, friendly staff, and wonderful ambiance. Chez Prune on the Canal St. Martin is always fun especially on a warm summer night. The Fumoir is good for a cheap happy hour martini. The fumoir in the China Club is very cool, especially in winter with the fire place. You have to like smoke though. Barrio Latino is fun if you like dancing and a little bit of the fashion crowd but don't want to spend your life's savings on a drink. L'Epi Dupin if you got some cash saved up is amazing for lunch. Best meal for the buck. The antique market at Porte de Vanves is incredible. The Bastille food market on Sunday mornings should be your weekly shopping store. That should get you started.

Go check on the flee markets, Vanves, Plus, etc. You can find nice things for the house that have a lot more character than IKEA and are often much cheaper. Opening a bank in France can be a difficulty. Make sure you have a letter that it is a proof of domicile. It is virtually impossible to open a bank without one. I recommend the Banque Populaire. They were very friendly and had no restrictions. Other banks like the Société Générale told me I couldn't open a bank unless I was spending at least 2 years in the country. Watch out when renting with charges which can be very expensive. Also note that electricity is very expensive. Therefore, if you have electric heat make sure you bring a lot of sweaters!