I arrived in Paris just ten days ago, but I feel like I've already learned so much about the city. Last week, I attended a welcome program for other foreign students and had the opportunity to meet people from all around the world. I've met friends from Australia, Singapore and all over the U.S. too! Perhaps one of the best things about spending time with my new friends from all of these places is having the opportunity to learn about so many different cultures.
As for how they do things in France, it's amazing how much you can learn just from walking around the city and watching how the locals live their lives. At times, it has felt like Parisians (as people who live in Paris are called) are not as welcoming to Americans, as they seem to want to keep to themselves, but I hope that the feeling will fade once I get to know the city and the local people better. Paris is a big city or at least it's much bigger than my home city of New Orleans and so public transportation can get very hectic and crowded, unlike anything that I have ever experienced. I have to admit that I've been mostly walking because it can be nerve-wracking being surrounded by so many people speaking a different language.
