Fight or forfeit.

I told you all that I would eventually start to complain about things that have gone wrong while I'm here, and I believe that this is a perfect opportunity to visit them. So, before I left Ramapo, my lovely home institution, I asked for a written document saying that my scholarship wouldn't be in jeopardy if I studied abroad for a year. I was met with the response, of course not, you don't need any papers stating that, study abroad students do it all the time. Great! Not. First week I was here I received an email stating that my scholarship is going to be revoked. Yada yada yada, a few emails later, the situation is solved. In my favor. Next, the apartment I was originally put into (Aligre) was a mess. My college apartment, having endured countless frat parties, was needless-to-say in better condition. (See the photos below) On top of that, it was extremely shady/unsafe at night. I was aggressively followed to my door and harassed. Another night we had a doorman, not of the paid variety, who didn't mind relieving himself on our door. After bitching and moaning, which I'm great at, I got changed into a homestay without charge.

It's been a good time minus the fact that the welcome father is a complete d-bag, but I enjoy the mother, an astrologist and abstract artist. She's wonderful. Next, I was informed that the classes I planned on taking the spring semester were not being offered. The list that we were shown was just the class list of last year. Fantastic. Me along with a few other people were royally screwed. The others were forced to change cities completely, one going to Ireland, the other to Aix-en-Provence. I, luckily, found another program within Paris that had classes that would count for my major. I switched into that, which resulted in another email war between me and CEA. I prevailed a second time after threatening to just return back to Ramapo for the spring.

When I switched the program, I received an invoice from my school stating that I have to pay the full amount of the program within 1 month. This sounds reasonable, however, before I left Ramapo, I asked the Study Abroad Office adviser( on 3 separate occasions ) how and when do I pay the school. My question was met with "oh don't worry, it will be billed to you when you return" LIE! Consequently, she was fired. One could imagine why. So this past week has been dedicated to a fafsa, student loan applications, numerous projects and midterms etc. etc. I specifically didn't want to deal with these applications here because it becomes 1,000 more difficult. I'm in the process of finishing all that paperwork up, and hopefully by the end of the week I will have that done.

My problem of the week arose today when I checked my email. I was told that since I changed my programs I will not be covered for winter housing and A)I have to pay for it or B) I have to find my own housing. Hmmm. I'm sure one could understand my frustrations. This means, inevitably another email war, but this time I just might give in. CEA rants and raves how they want this to be the best experience, but they're making my experience a living h-e-double hockey sticks.

What do I do?

I can't leave, I'm here to learn French and to become proficient in it. The credits I receive here will allow me to have a French Minor back home, and ultimately allow me to teach French to highschool students. I can't do this back home; there aren't enough students interested in the higher level French classes for them to be offered. I want to be here, but I also NEED to be here. I'm stuck in an impossible position of fight or forfeit.

Staying here is proving to be an endless battle.
Let's see who wins.


I must admit, the apartment doesn't look that bad through these pictures, but believe-you-me, it was. There were no lighting fixtures, the sink dripped, there was mold on the bathroom ceiling, the plaster, yes plaster was coming off the walls, there were no curtains, the couches were hand-me-downs or picked up off the street and subsequently wreaked of homeless man, the floor was stained and unfinished for at least 10 years, not art on the walls and this list just goes on. Plus, it was dangerous to enter at night. Now, I can admit I was being a little princess, but compared to everyone else's apartments, we got the shaft, and I wasn't having it. This is Paris, but we were living in Harlem.

Fin, I'm done complaining.