Finally getting settled into our dorm here in Paris! After at least 30 hours without sleep, I am having trouble typing all of this without drooling onto the keyboard. Which brings me to my first word of advice for fellow travelers, IF YOU CAN SLEEP ON A PLANE, SLEEP ON THE PLANE!! We arrived in Paris this morning but in order to avoid being jetlagged for a few days, we had to wait another 12 hours to sleep. I am a mere half an hour away from sweet and glorious sleep. So if you have the ability to catch a few Zs on an uncomfortable plane ride, do so because it will pay off in the long run. Also, if you are assigned class readings to do before you depart, don’t wait until the plane ride to read them. I thought “Sure, I’ll have plenty of hours on my long plane ride to read all of that stuff for class.” The truth is that today, plane rides aren’t all that dull. The plane we were on had fully loaded tv monitors in the back of each headrest. Instead of reading my materials, I watched a couple movies and even played some games. So if your teacher tells you to read the materials before you depart for the trip, do exactly that because you’ll be kicking yourself if you don’t.
As far as culture shock, I experienced it immediately upon entering the city of Paris. Expect to be blown away no matter where it is you’re traveling. Having never left the country until now, I had never knew just how different life is in other countries. We’re on the other side of the planet but it feels to me like another world.
I’d tell you more but I’m nodding in and out of consciousness. Expect more in the near future!
-Garrett
An American In Paris 