How I did it: I did study abroad with AIFS for 5 months in Paris. After some struggling I got all my VISA and passport stuff done and was able to live and work in the city of lights. It was the most amazing experience.

Lessons & tips: - Always speak French first with people, but if they'd rather speak English with you follow their lead. People can get frustrated if you insist on speaking French poorly at them.
- Talk to people! Strangers were so friendly to me and some of my best experiences in Paris were meeting people on the bus or in cafes.
- Take time to explore neighborhoods other people don't. Always be open for adventure. Drink as much wine as you can and buy as much cheese.
- Ride the bus. It takes longer but is much more scenic than the train. I have a great mental map of the city now because of the buses I took everywhere.
- Walk around by yourself sometimes. People are always welcoming to a traveler who comes on foot and alone.
- But also make friends! Get pizza at the Pink Flamingo Pizzeria and eat it next to the Canal St. Martin on warm nights with a bottle of wine. Sit on the Pont des Arts. Take the walk from the Pantheon up to Notre Dame sometime. Take walks in the Bois de Bologne on Sundays and lay by the lake.

Resources: I loved my Lonely Planet Paris guide and Hopstop was my go to for public transportation.

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Feb 23, 2011, 01:09PM PST | 0 comments | 4 cheers