Brown in France !Paris Program Handbook!

Fall 2017!Brown University!

Office of International Programs!

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BrowninFrance–ParisProgram2017/18

TableofContents

ProgramContacts 2Checklist:PreparingforParis 3Academics 4-9Health&Safety 9-12MoneyMatters 13-14Housing 15ArrivalinParis 16DailyLife 17-19Checklist:GoingHome 20

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PROGRAMCONTACTSBrownUniversityinFrance-Paris6,rueGuillaumeBertrand75011ParisTel:011-33-1-47-34-33-65(fromUS)Tel:0-1-47-34-33-65(fromFrance)Metro:RueSaintMaurWhen calling France from the U.S., remember the time difference. France is six hours ahead of U.S. EST. When it is l0 a.m. in Providence, it is 4 p.m. in Paris.

ProgramStaffSylvieTouxResidentDirectorTel.(cell):011-33-6-99-42-33-65Email:sylvie_toux@brown.eduErinReeserAssociateDirectorTel.(cell):011-33-6-62-24-92-62Tel.(home):011-33-9-51-77-98-14email:erin_reeser@brown.eduBrownUniversityOfficeofInternationalPrograms(OIP)Box1973Providence,RI02912Tel.:401-863-3555Fax:401-863-3311E-mail:OIP@brown.eduOIPOfficeHours8:30a.m.–5p.m.,M-FSeptember–May8a.m.–4p.m.,M-FJune–AugustIfyouhaveanemergencyoutsideofnormalbusinesshoursatBrown,pleasecallBrownUniversityPublicSafetyat(401)863-3322

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PRE-DEPARTURECHECKLIST

[]Preparemyself.ReadthishandbookandotherappropriateOIPpublications,liketheOIPwebsiteandtheTakeItWithYouGuide,OIP’sgeneralstudyabroadhandbook.Bementallypreparedforthechallenge.ReadtherequiredmaterialonCanvas.[]Meetwithmyconcentration/majoradvisortodiscussanycreditthatIwanttocountformyconcentrationandgetpre-approval.Arrangeawaytocontactconcentration/majoradvisors,ifchangesarenecessaryonceinParis.(GeneralcreditforgraduationtransfersautomaticallyforBrownstudents,aslongasyouearnagradeofCorhigher.C=9-11/20intheFrenchsystem.)[]TakewithmetoFrancecopiesofalldocumentsIhadtoprovidetotheconsulateformyvisa.[]Havehealthinsuranceinformation:policynumber,reimbursementproceduresandforms,andlistofmedicalprocedurescovered.MusthaveproofofinsurancewithdatesofpolicyclearlystatingIamcoveredfortheperiodofstudy.MustbringthisletterwithmetoFrance(acardisNOTsufficient).[]Havehadmymedical,dentalandeyesightcheck-upsasrecommended.[]GetsupplyofprescriptionmedicationifIamtakingany.IfIknowthatthemedicationisavailableinFrance,Iwillbringtheoriginalprescription.[]GivemytravelscheduleformyarrivaltotheOIPandtheBrowninParisoffice.[]Besurenottobringtoomuchstuff!OnesuitcaseONLYandpreferablynottoobig.[]ContactmycellphoneserviceprovidertounlockmyphoneifIplantouseitwithaFrenchSIMcard.[]Checkthatallelectric/electronicequipmentthatIbringtoFranceissetfor220voltage.Mostcomputers,smartphonesandrechargeablecamerasarefine.PackanadapterfortheelectronicsthatIcanbring.

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ACADEMICSCarted’étudiant/RegistrationYouwillchooseoneortwouniversitiesbeforearrivinginParisandregisteronlineforeachselecteduniversity(theprocedureisexplainedonCanvas).ThisstepisveryimportantandwillallowyoutoobtainastudentID.ThisIDcardwillbeavailablewhenclassesstarts.TransferringCreditsFrenchuniversitiesusetheEuropeanCreditTransferSystem(ECTS)andeverycourseisassignedavalueinECTS(5onaverage,witha3-12range).ForallEuropeanandFrenchstudentsafullsemesterloadisdefinedas30ECTS.ThefullcourseloadintheBrowninParisprogramhasbeenestablishedat27-30ECTS,givingussomeflexibilitytoaddressdifferencesbetweenthevariousuniversities.Inallcases,thesemesterstartswithacredit-bearingpro-seminar,whichincludesaninitialone-twoweekcoursetaughtbyateamofprofessorsandcontinuesthroughoutthesemesterwithanumberofrequiredculturalactivitiesandoral/writtenassignments.,includinganindependentresearchproject.Thepro-seminarcarriesavalueof6ECTS.Full-yearstudentsdonotrepeatthepro-seminarinthespringsemesterbutinsteadtakeuniversitycoursestotaling27-30ECTS.Inordertoreceivefullcreditforthesemester(4Browncredits)studentsneedtopasstherequiredpro-seminarfor6ECTSandreceive21-24ECTSinuniversitycourses/directenrollment(4-6courses.)Studentstakingfewercourseswillreceivepartialcreditasfollows:

Pro-seminarECTS

UniversitycoursesECTS

TotalECTS

TotalBrowncredits

6 21-24 27-30 46 15-20 21-26 36 9-14 15-20 26 8 14 1NotethatyouwillreceivenomorethanfourcourseunitsunlessyouareregisteredforaGLISP,inwhichcaseitwillbepossibletoreceivefive(5)courseunitstotalforyoursemester.NolettergradeswillappearonyourBrowntranscriptforcoursestakenabroad.YourFrenchgradeswillallbetransferredas"S".Coursetitleswillbetranslatedandlistedonyourtranscript.However,theoriginalgradereportsfromtheFrenchinstitutionswillbeavailabletoyou,whichgraduateschoolsandcertainemployersmayasktosee.TheOIPwillcontactyouonceyourtranscripthasbeenreceivedfromtheFrenchinstitution.Whenyouarebackonyourcampus,theprogramdirectorcanprovideadescriptionoftheFrenchsystemoranequivalencyofFrenchgradesshouldyouneedsuchinformation,e.g.,tosendtograduateschools.NotetoBrownstudents:BecauseallyourclassesareinFrench,theDepartmentofFrenchStudieswillgiveyoucreditforallthecoursesyoutakethatarerelatedtoFrenchcivilization:history,politicalscience,economics,art.However,itdoesnotacceptmorethanfourcoursestakenoutsidethedepartmenttowardsconcentrationcredit(sixifyouareatransferstudent).Asageneralrule,otherdepartmentswillnotacceptmorethantwoorthreecoursesforconcentrationcredit.Sinceeachdepartmenthasitsown

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rules,itisimperativethatyoucheckwithyourconcentrationadvisorbeforeyouleaveaboutthenumberofcourses—aswellasspecificcourses—thatmaybecountedtowardyourconcentrationrequirements.CoursesIfyouhavetakenequivalentprerequisitecourses,werecommendthatyouenrollinL3courses.Classesatthatleveltendtobesmaller,somewhatlessimpersonalandexpectmorestudentparticipationthanintroductorycourses.InsomedepartmentsorUFRs(UnitédeFormationetdeRecherche),youmightbeabletotakecoursesattheL2level,butitisnotthegeneralrule.M1classesmightalsobeopentoyouifyouhavetakentheadequateprerequisitecourses.L1coursesshouldbeavoided.Youwillbeabletochooseamongthird-yearLicencecourses,referredtoL3(Licence3èmeannée)insomedepartmentsorasS5(forLicence,Semester5inthefall)orS6(forLicence,Semester6inthespring)inothers.FrenchstudentstaketheircoursesinoneUFRandhaveveryfewelectives.Forexample,allthird-yearstudentspreparingaLicenceinhistoryhavetotakeacertainnumberofspecificcourseschosenfromtheL3Historylists.EachUFRdeterminesitsownscheduleforonlythosecoursesofferedwithintheUFR.Ineffect,UFR’sareindependentfromoneanotherevenwithinthesameuniversity,unlikeintheUS.Insomecases,theystartandendclassesondifferentdates,whichmayormaynotcorrespondtothe“official”startingdateannouncedbytheuniversity.MostUFR’seditontheirwebsitecourselists,briefdescriptionsandclassschedules,butsomedon't.Iftheydon’t,theycommunicatesuchinformationtostudentsviabulletinboardsneartheirsecrétariat.BecauseFrenchstudentsdealwithonlyoneUFR,theydonot

needdetailedinformationbeyondtheirmainsubject,butyouwill,sinceyouwillmostlikelytakecoursesinseveralUFR’s.Assoonasinformationbecomesavailableontheweb(courselistingswillbepostedfirstandinSeptemberschedulesandrooms),youwillbeabletoaccessitonCanvas.BeintouchwiththeBrowninParisResidentDirectorifyouhavetroublefindinginformationyouneed.Weaskyoutopre-selectmorecourses(10)thanyouwillneedtotake,forthereisachancethatcoursesorscheduleswillchangeatthelastminute,andtimeconflictsbetweencoursesofferedbydifferentUFR’sarecommon.WealsourgeyoutogotothedifferentUFR’sbeforeclassesbegininordertofindyourwayaround,locatethebulletinboards,peekintoclassroomsandgetalayofthelandbeforetheclassesstart.Wewillorganizesuchgroupvisitsduringorientation.ChoosingCoursesBeforeleavingBrown:

•Pre-selectatleast10coursesandcompletetheCoursePre-ApprovalFormaspartofyourapplicationtotheOIP.•TheParisprogrampageontheOIPwebsitehasalinktoalltheFrenchinstitutions’sites,mostofwhichnowhavedetailedandcompleteinformation.•Meetwithyourconcentration/majoradvisortodeterminewhichcourseswillcounttowardconcentrationcreditandtoobtaintheirsignatureontheCoursePre-Approvalform.DiscussselectedcourseswithSylvieToux,BrowninFranceResidentDirector,eitheroncampusorviaSkype.Duringthismeeting,youwillchooseoneortwouniversitiesandhoneyourcourselist.•Afterthismeeting,youshouldcompletetheUniversitiesandcourseselectionformand

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sendittotheResidentDirectorbeforethedeadline.OnceinFrance:

•Reviewyourlistofpre-selectedcourseswithSylvieToux,ResidentDirector.Confirmwhatconstitutesafullsemesterload.Somecoursesmaynotbeacceptableastheyarepartofasetofcoursesthatneedtobetakenasawhole.•Checkthescheduleforthecoursesyouhaveselected.Iftimetablesarenotavailableattheofficeorontheweb,youwillneedtogotoalltherelevantUFR'stocheckbulletinboards.Foreachcourse,youshouldnotethetotalhoursforboththecoursmagistral(CM)andthetravauxdirigés(TD),ordiscussionsection,ifthereisone.WhenthereareTD's,theyareusuallyscheduledatanumberofdifferenttimes,therebyminimizingtheriskofschedulingconflicts.

● CheckthatthetotalnumberofECTScorrespondstotheequivalentofafullcourseloadatBrownandthatthenumberofcontacthoursisadequate.

● Besuresuretoreconfirmcoursesforwhichyourareseekingconcentrationcreditwithyouradvisor.

•ConfirmyourfinalizedlistofcourseswiththeResidentDirector,SylvieToux,fillouttheformUniversitiesandcourseselection,andsendittoBrowninParis.•Foreachcourseprovidetheexactdescriptionoftheassessmentmethod:listexams,papers,exposés,etc.,withdatesandtopicswhenavailable.Thisisdoneusuallylaterinthesemester.Note:Allinstitutionsrequireaninscriptionpédagogiqueinordertobeofficiallyenrolled.Thisprocess,whichisyourresponsibility,willbeexplainedtoyoustepbystepwhenyoustartclasses.

Professors/Assignments/GradesItisyourresponsibilitytomakesurethattheTDinstructors(usuallytheoneswhocorrectpapersandgivegrades)knowwhoyouareandunderstandyourstatusasanexchangestudent.Asmuchaspossible,youshouldaskthemtospecifyfinalassignmentsandrequestoragreeonatopicearlyinthesemestersothatyouwon'thaveamajorpaperdueineveryclassduringyourlastmonthinFrance.ProfessorsinFrancerarelydistributeadetailedsyllabus;rather,theyexpectstudentstoorganizetheirownreadingandworkschedule.Youshouldthinkaboutthisearlyonandknowwhattheexpectationsandassignmentsareineachcoursebymid-semester.Also,ifyousign-upforanexposéduringthefirstclasssession,itisimperativeyounotifytheprofessorifyoudecidetodroptheclass.Inmostcourses,youcanexpecttobeaskedtowritepapersortodooralorwrittenreports.(Theformatoftheseassignmentswillbeexplainedduringorientation.)Allstudentsmusttakefinalexamswhenrequired.Grades

GradesinFrancearebasedonascaleofzerototwenty,withten(lamoyenne)consideredapassinggrade–andanacceptableone.ItisextremelyrareforFrenchstudentstogetover16,andagradeover12isconsideredagoodgrade.Equivalentsareasfollows:• 9-10isequivalenttoC• 11-13isequivalenttoB• 14andaboveisequivalenttoA

Accordingtotheabovescale,weconsidera9tobeapassinggrade,andyouwillreceivecreditifyourfinalcoursegradeisa9.Westronglyadviseyoutokeepnotes,drafts,andfinalcopiesofallofyourpapersinallcourses

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untilyouhavereceivedyourfinalgrades.Inaddition,youshouldbringbacktoyourhomeschoolallsyllabi,bibliographies,notes,etc.,fromyourcoursesinParissothat,ifasked,youcanshowwhatyoudidinspecificcourses,e.g.,toobtainconcentration/majorcredit.TeachingandFrenchUniversities

TeacherandstudentrolesaredifferentintheFrenchandAmericansystems.YouwillobservemanydifferencesinteacherandstudentbehaviorintheclassroomcomparedtotheUS:teacherslecturemoreinFrancewhilestudentslistenandtakenotes;Frenchstudentsrarelyaskquestions,muchlessexpresstheirviews.InmosttraditionalFrenchclassrooms,itisassumedthattheteacheristheonewithknowledgetotransmit,andstudentsgetthatknowledgedirectlyfromtheinstructor,notfromanyoneelse.Moreover,manyFrenchprofessorsconsideroneoftheirmainrolestobetocriticizestudentssothattheywilllearnfromtheirmistakes.Theysometimesdosopublicly,e.g.,afterastudentoralpresentation,iftheythinkthatthewholeclasscouldbenefitfromthecomments.Similarly,intheirwrittenremarksonyourpapers,professorswillmostlikelystresswaysinwhichyoucouldimproveyourwork,andyoumayfeelthattheyareoverlynegative.TrynottotakesuchcriticismpersonallyandrememberthatinFrance,suchfeedbackisthenorm,whichiswhyFrenchstudentsdon’tgetupsetaboutit.Someprofessorssimplydonotgivegradesabove14,inwhichcaseagradeof11or12isreallygood.Learntotakeacommentlike"pasmal,mais..."asarealcompliment!Asaformerstudentputit,“YoumustrememberthatthereisnocomparisonbetweentheFrenchsystemandoursathome,gradesvaryfromprofessortoprofessorbecausenotallgradesarecreatedequal.”

Makesurethatyoumakecopiesofallyourpapersbeforeyougivethemtoyourprofessors.Alwaystrytohandinyourpapersdirectlytoyourprofessors.DonotleavethemwithasecretaryattheUFRoffice;someprofessorsnevergototheUFRbecausetheydonothaveprivateofficesattheuniversity—andthereforenoofficehours.Thebestwaytocontactaprofessoristotalktohimorherafterclassortosendanemail.Advisors/coordinators

Eachdepartmenthasacoordinatorwhoisaprofessorresponsibleforexchangestudents.Donothesitatetocontactthemwithanyquestionsrelatedtoacourse.ThelistofcoordinatorsispostedonCanvas.ProgramTutors

TherearetutorshiredbyBrownwhoareavailablethroughouttheyear(byappointment)togivefeedbackandhelpyoucorrectlanguageerrorsorhelpyouprepareforanoralexposé,forexample.Thetutorialsystemwillbeexplainedingreaterdetailduringorientation.Youareexpectedtousethespellcheckerandgrammareditorbeforeshowingafirstdrafttoatutor.Werecommendyouequipyourlaptopcomputerwith“AntidoteHD”,aDruideinformatiquesoftwareproductwhichcontainsarelativelyintelligentspellchecker,adictionary,athesaurus,agrammarandaconjugationguide.ThissoftwareisavailableonthecomputersattheParisoffice.Ifatutorinaspecificdisciplineisneeded,forexampleinscienceoreconomics,thatwillbearrangedondemand.AccommodationsandDisabilitiesStudentswithdisabilitieswhoneedaccommodationsorserviceswhilestudyingabroadshouldcontacttheOfficeofInternationalProgramsformoreinformation.TheOIPwillworkwithyou,withtheStudent

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andEmployeesAccessibilityServices(SEAS)officeatBrownandwiththeon-siteprogramstafftohelpnavigateaccommodationsattheirstudyabroadhostinstitution.AcademictermsUFRorUnitédeFormationetdeRecherche:EquivalentofadepartmentintheU.S.FrenchstudentsusuallytakealltheircoursesinoneUFR.Becauseofyourspecialstatus,youcantakecoursesinmorethanone.

● Unitéd’enseignement(UE)Acourseorsetofcourses.

● EuropeanCreditTransferSystem(ECTS)AEuropeancredit.27-30ECTSconstituteafullloadforthesemester.

● CoursMagistral(CM)Alecturecourse.Usuallytaughtinlargelecturehallsoramphis;hasseveralTD'sattachedtoit.

● TravauxDirigés(TD)Adiscussionsectionorlab.Meetingsinsmallergroups(about30students)toexpandonalecturetopic.TDprofessorsarefull-timeprofessors,notgraduatestudentsorteachingassistants.TheTDiswhereyouwilldonearlyallthewrittenwork,oralexposésandgetyourgrades.

● TravauxPratiques(TP)Insciencecourses:basicallyalab.

● ModuleThecombinationofacoursmagistral+aTDorsometimesanoption.Allcoursesdonotautomaticallyhaveboth,acoursecancombinethetwo.

● OptionorcoursoptionnelOptionalclasswithinamodule.Usuallyseveralareofferedonvariousthemes:ContrôleContinu(CC);Devoirsurtable(DST);Modalitésd'évaluation.

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HEALTHINFORMATIONBeforeyougo…

Youshouldconsultyourownphysiciananddentistorotherhealthcareproviderforacheckuptomakesuretherearenocurrenthealthissues.Ifyouhavespecificconcernsaboutyourownpersonalhealthsituation,pleasediscussthemwithyourownhealthcareproviderintermsofyourplanstostudyabroad.TheCenterforDiseaseControl(http://www.cdc.gov/)publishesalistofallthevaccinesandhealthprecautionsitrecommendsforthoseplanningastayabroad.Pleasecheckwhatmightberequiredforhealthpreparations,especiallyifyouplantotraveloutsideEurope,totheMiddleEastorNorthAfrica.InsuranceUSHealthInsurance:Becertaintoconsultyourinsuranceproviderforcoverageoverseas.PleaserememberthathealthcareprovidersinFrancewillaskforpaymentupfrontwiththeexpectationthatyouwillgetreimbursedafteryousubmitformsandreceiptstoyourinsuranceprovider.Makesureyoubringyourprivateinsurancepolicynumberandotherrelevantdocuments,includinginformationonallmedicalprocedurescoveredbyyourpolicyandtheprocessforreimbursement.Contactyourhealthinsuranceproviderforreimbursementforms,andpleasetaketheseformswithyouwhenyougo.Thiswillsaveyoutimeifyouneedmedicalassistance.Inaddition,pleasecontactyourinsuranceproviderforaletterofproofofinsurancewiththedatesofcoverageclearlystatedfortheperiodofstudy(thewallet-sizecardisnotsufficient).BringthisletterwithyoutoFranceandsendacopytotheOIPforyourstudentfile.IfyouarecarryingBrownstudenthealthinsurance,reimbursementformsareavailablefromthe

OfficeofInsuranceandPurchasingServices.IfyouhaveanyquestionsregardingBrownstudenthealthinsurance,youshouldcontact:CherylMoanBrownUniversity,OfficeofInsuranceandPurchasingServicesBox1848Providence,RI02912Phone:401-863-9481Email:Cheryl_Moan@brown.eduNote:DonotsuspendanyAmericanorothercoverage,sinceifyoubecomeill,thenthismaybeconsideredapre-existingconditionwhenyouneedtore-enrollincoverageathome.EmergencyTravelAssistanceAllstudentsstudyingabroadthroughBrown’sOIPareprovidedwithaBrowntravelassistanceplan,whichcoversevacuationandrepatriationaswellassomeotherservices.ThisplanisprovidedbyInternationalSOS.IMPORTANT:Incaseofemergency,contacttheBrowninParisstaffaswell.WerecommendthatstudentsNOTuseInternationalSOSwhentheyareinParisorelsewhereinFrance.TheyshouldcontactourParisofficestafffirst,astheprogramstaffcanbemuchmoreefficientandhelpfulinthesecases.OnlywhentravelinginothercountriesshouldstudentuseInternationalSOS.

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InanemergencysituationoutsideofFrance,pleasecallyournearestInternationalSOSAlarmCenter.ParisInternationalSOSOfficeistheregionalcenterforcontinentalEuropeandthenorthwestregionofAfrica.InternationalSOSOfficeInternationalSOS1,rueduParc92593Levallois-PerretCedexParis,FranceAdminTel:+33(0)155633232AdminFax:+33(0)155633234Assistancecenter-ParisOpen24hoursadayInternationalSOS(Assistance)S.A.Tel:+33(0)155633155Tel(Japanese):+33(0)155633107Fax:+33(0)155633156WhenyoucontactInternationalSOS,youmustreferenceyourGroupMembership#:11BSGC000031TheservicesprovidedbyInternationalSOSrangefromtelephoneadviceandreferralstofull-scaleevacuationbyprivateairambulance.TheSOSnetworkofmultilingualspecialistsoperates24houraday,365daysayearfromSOSAlarmCentersaroundtheworld.However,InternationalSOSisnothealthinsurance.Requestsforreimbursementformedicalcarereceivedwhileabroadshouldbesubmittedtoyourhealthinsuranceprovider.YouwillalsobegivenawalletsizecardwithimportantinformationonhowtoaccessInternationalSOSservices.Pleasecarrythiswithyouatalltimesincaseyouneedemergencyassistance.HealthCareListsofdoctors,counselingservices,etc.areintheParisoffice.Pleasecontactusifyou

needanyassistancemakingappointmentsordealingwithhealthissues.Forminorproblemsandmedicaladvice(e.g.,coldorflusymptoms,headaches),itiscommontofirstconsultapharmacistinFrance.Heorshecantellyouifyouneedtoseeadoctorandalsorecommendappropriateover-the-countermedication.Ifyouareaccustomedtotakingaspecificbrandofmedication,suchasTylenolorSudafed,itisbesttobringsomewithyou,ascertainU.S.brandsarenotavailableinFrance.PrescriptionMedicationIMPORTANT:MedicationcannotbemailedtoyouinFrance.Ifyouaretakinganyprescriptionmedication,youshouldthereforebringenoughwithyouforthesemesterunlessyouplantoreturntotheU.S.duringyourstay.Prescriptiondrugshavetheadditionalproblemofbrandnamechangesfromplacetoplace.Ifyouneedprescriptionmedicationregularlyanddonotintendtobringasemester’ssupply,bringacopyofyourprescriptionalong.Makesureitisclearlywrittenandindicatesthegenericnameofthedrug.Inmostcases,aphysicianinFrancewillnotfilltheprescriptionprovidedbyyourU.S.doctorwithoutfirstdoinganexaminationandconfirmingthediagnosisofyourcondition.BeawarethatsomedrugscommonlyprescribedintheUnitedStatesareconsidered“narcotics”andhighlyregulatedinFrance(e.g.Ritalin).Itisbesttobringwithyouthefullamountnecessaryforyourstayuponarrival.WhenyoutravelinEurope,makesuretolabelallmedicationclearlyandtokeepitintheoriginalcontainers,whichshowtheprescriptionnumber.Thiswillfacilitatecustomsclearanceinandoutofthecountry.Youshouldalsocarrywithyouacopyofthe

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prescriptionscriptfromyourdoctorascustomofficialshavetherighttoconfiscatemedicationsasillegaldrugsifyoucannotproveproofthatthemedicationisalegalprescription.

Ifyouneedadoctororaprescriptiononweekendsorinthemiddleofthenight,youcancallSOS-Médecins:01.47.07.77.77.Theymakehousecalls24hoursaday,7daysaweek.

TheOfficeofInternationalProgramsin

consultationwiththeon-sitepersonnelandthe

programfacultydirectorsatBrownreserves

therighttodismissastudentandrequirethat

theyleaveimmediatelyifinourjudgmentthe

studentbehavesinamannerwhichendangers

themselvesorothersontheprogramorthe

program’scontinuedoperations.Illegaldrug

useisgroundsforimmediatedismissal.

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MONEYMATTERSProgramCostsInordertohelpyoubudgetappropriatelyforyouracademicexperienceinFrance,wehavecreatedacostinformationsheetthatisavailableonourwebsite.Airfareandlivingcostsarebasedonourbestinformationbutthesecostscanchangequicklywithexchangeratefluctuationsandpricechanges.Yourbiggestexpensewillbehousing,thenfollowedbyfood.CertainthingslikeelectricheatandgymmembershipsareconsiderablymoreexpensivethanintheUS.Forarangeofhousingprices,seethe“Housing”section.BankingBankAccounts

Youmayopenabankaccountifyouchoose.TheParisstaffcanassistyouinmakinganappointment.AllFrenchbankcards(cartebleue)haveamicrochip(puce).Ifyouchoosetorequestone,yourPINwillbesenttoyou:youwillnotchooseyourown.YoumusttypeinyourPINwhenusingyourcardinstoresandrestaurants.ATMmachinesallowyoutowithdrawmoneywithyourAmericandebitcard(andtakeoutacashadvanceonyourcreditcard,butbecarefulofthehighfees!).Youcanusuallyusethesecardsinstoresandrestaurants,butbeawarethatAmericanExpressislesswidelyacceptedthanVisaandMastercard.IfyouchoosetouseyourU.S.bankaccount,docheckthecostofwithdrawaloverseas.RememberthatthereisadailyandweeklylimittotheamountofcashyoucanwithdrawfromanATM.Checkwithyourbankbefore

leavinginordertoavoidunfortunatesurprises.SomeAmericanbankshavepartnerbanksinFrancee.g.BankofAmericaandBNPParibas,whichcanreduceATMfeesandgenerallymakefinancialmatterseasierduringyourstay.ConsultyourbankbeforeleavingforFrancetoseeiftheyhavepartnerbanksabroad.Remembertoinformyourbank(whetherintheUSorinFrance)ifyouaretravelingoutsideofthecountryandareplanningtouseyourATMcard.MoneyExchangeYoushouldcometoFrancewithsufficientfundstopaytwomonthsworthofrent(firstmonth,plussecuritydeposit).AnotheroptionistowithdrawmoneyfromATMsuponarrival.Ifyoudecidetodothis,beawareofthedailyand/orweeklycaponhowmuchyoucanwithdraw.Youwillneedtoplanaccordinglyinordertohavethenecessaryamountwhenyoumoveintoyourhousing.DonotbringUSbankchecks.TypicalFirstMonthBudget•3mealsaday:aslittleas6€foratake-out(sandwich+pastry+softdrink)fromaboulangerieorasmuchas20€forafullmeal.Tip:cookathomeformuchcheapermealsoreatattheuniversitycafeterias!•Securitydeposit:uptoonemonth’srent.•Firstmonthrent:600€minimumand700€-900€average.•Navigo:73€foramonthlysubway/buspass.•Cellphoneservice:10€-30€.•Other(groceries,laundry,museums,movies,restaurants)

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HOUSINGGeneralThehousingsituationinParisismuchlikethatinallmajorcities:demandandpricesareonthehighsideanditcanbeadifficultandlengthyprocess.TheBrowninPariscanhelparrangehousingforparticipants.Studentsarealsofreetofindtheirownhousing.BrowninParisofferstwomaincategoriesofhousing:furnishedapartmentsforsingleoccupancy(eitherstudiosorsmallone-bedrooms)androomsinFrenchhomes.ArrangingforHousingPriortodeparture,everystudentwillhavemetwithErinReeser,AssociateDirectorofBrowninParis,oncampusorviaSkype.Toprepareforthismeeting,studentsansweradetailedseriesofquestionsabouttheirhousingbudgetandrequirements,butalsoabouttheirhobbies,studiesandanypossibleallergiesorotherdetailspotentiallyimportanttothehousingprocess.Thisinformationwillbeusedtopre-selectahousingplacementforeachstudent.Duringthemeeting,studentswillhaveachancetoaskanyquestiontheymighthaveabouthousingoptions.Housingassignmentswillbeannouncedwellinadvance(endofJuneforfirstsemester,endofNovemberforsecondsemester).Itisthestudent’sresponsibilitytomakeanappointmentwithhis/herlandlordformove-inday.

UponarrivalinParis,studentswillspendthefirstnightatthehotel,LesCitadinesParisRépubique,andwillmoveintotheirpermanenthousingthefollowingday.Studentsshouldbepreparedtopaythefirstmonth’srent,plusoneadditionalmonthasthesecuritydeposit(returnedattheendofthestayiftheapartmentiscleanandundamaged).Thingstokeepinmind•Studio(single-room)orone-bedroomapartment:600–1300€.RoominFrenchapartment:650-700€•Therearecertaincoststhatmayormaynotbeincludedintherentofanapartment:electricityandinternetaccess,forexample.Youshouldalwayscheckwiththelandlord.•Ifyouarerentingaroominanapartment,youneedtomakesurethatyouhaveaccesstothekitchen,findoutunderwhatconditionsyoucanusethecommonspaceandwhetheryoucanhaveovernightguests.Youneedtodiscussallofthelivingarrangementsindetail.•Landlordsusuallyaskforthefirstmonth’srentandaone-monthdepositthattheygiveyoubackwhenyoumoveout(notethatlandlordshavethelegalrighttowaittwomonthsafteryouleavetheplacebeforereturningyourdeposit).DepositsinFrancecannotcountasyourlastmonth'srent.•ParisianapartmentsaretypicallysmallerthanUSapartments.Ifyouexpectalotofvisitors,keepinmindthattheyarenotwellsuitedtosharingwithalargegroupoffriends.

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ARRIVALINPARISThefirstnightoftheprogram,youwillbehousedinanhotelneartheoffice,LesCitadines.YoushouldplantoarriveinParisontheprogramArrivalDayintheearlyafternoonatthelatest.Abriefgroupmeetingwillbeheldatthehotelat4p.m.ontheprogramArrivalDay.Moreinformationwillbegiventoyouatthatpoint.RoomshavebeenreservedatLesCitadineswhereyouwillshareanapartment(withanequippedkitchenwithsomecookingsuppliesandutensils)withoneortwoprogramparticipants.Allapartmentsareequippedwithatelephonetoreceiveandmakeoutsidecallsandhaveinternetaccess.Breakfastisprovided.LesCitadinesisconvenientlylocatedwithinwalkingdistanceoftheBrowninParisoffice.Theaddressis:CitadinesRépubliqueParis75bis,avParmentier75011Paristel:0.11.33.0155280820Fax:0.11.33.0143149030http://www.citadines.com/en/france/paris/republique.htmlNote:IfyouareplanningtoarrivepriortotheprogramarrivaldateandwishtostayatLesCitadines,youshouldgetintouchwiththemdirectlyassoonaspossible.LesCitadineswillbillyoudirectlyfortheextradays.

Directionsto“LesCitadines”FromCharles-de-Gaulleairport(Roissy):1.bybus:EasierandsaferthantheRER,lessexpensivethanataxi.RoissyBustoOpérafor11€50,thenmetroline3toParmentier(orataxi).YoucanalsotaketheAir-FrancebustoGaredeLyon.Aticketcosts17€.FromGaredeLyon,takeataxitothehotel.2.bytaxi:Costwillbeapproximately55€(includingfeeforluggage).Don’tforgettotipthedriver(10%suggested)3.byRER(suburbantrain)andmetro:TaketheRERlineB(blueline)-directionParis(youmighthavetotaketheshuttletochangeterminals,dependingontheairlineyouuse).Cost:around10€.AttheGareduNordstop,changetosubwayline5,directionPlaced’Italie,andgetoffatRépublique.ItisashortwalkdownavdelaRépubliquetothehotel.BewareofpickpocketsontheRER.FromOrlyairport:1.bybus:TakeOrlybustoDenfert-Rochereau,thentheRERtoGareduNordchangetosubwayline5,directionPlaced’Italie,andgetoffatRépublique.ItisashortwalkdownavdelaRépubliquetothehotel.Costisapproximately10€.2.bytaxi:Costwillbeapproximately50€.3.byRER/metro:TaketheRERtoGareduNordandfollowdirectionsabove.

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DAILYLIFETransportationMetro-Bus-RER-TrainTransportationinandaroundParisiseasyandsafe.Youshouldbuyamonthlypass(PassNavigomensuel)thatcanbeusedonthemetro,busandRERandcoverstheentireregionofIledeFrance.Thepasscosts73€permonth.(Seehttp://www.ratp.com/formoreinformationonlinesandschedules).Trains

BrowninParispurchasesapassallowingyoutousethenationaltrainsatareducedrate:theCarteJeuneSNCF.Notethatyoucanreserveticketseasilyonthewebthroughtheirwebagencyorgotoanytrainstation.TravelingoutsideParisImportant:WhenyouleaveParistotravel,theOIPrequiresthatyouinformtheBrowninParisprogramstaffofyourdetailedtravelplans(aformisavailableonCanvas).Incaseofemergency,weneedtobeabletoreachyou.Communication

Mail

Weadviseyoutohaveyourmailsenttotheprogramaddressevenwhenyouaresettledinyourapartment.Thatway,wewillbeabletoforwardittoyouintheUSattheendofyourstay.Manystudentscannotreceivemailattheirapartments,soitistheonlyoptionforsome.DonotforgettohaveyourcorrespondentsincludeBrownUniversityorBrowninPariswithyournameandbeforethestreetaddressontheenvelopeforittobedelivered.Bewarethatiffriendsorfamilysendyoupackagesbymail,youwillhavetopaycustomsonthemifthedeclaredvalueisabove$50.Forpersonalbelongings,inorder

tominimizethesefees,shipitemsclearlymarked“UsedPersonalGoods”,includetheoriginalbillofsalewheneverpossibleandplacealowvalueonthecustomsdeclaration.Pleasealsorememberthatoften,youmaybeabletopurchasetheitemforthecostofshipping:asweaterinaboxcosts$30toship.Telephone

TocallabroadfromFrance:00+countrycode(USAcodeis1)+areacode.TocallFrancefromtheUS:011+33(Francecodeis33)+localnumber(omitthe0atthebeginningofthe10-digitlocalnumber)WestronglyrecommendthatyouobtainaFrenchphonenumberwhilestudyinginParis.Thisisanexcellentwaytocommunicatewithotherstudents,tobeaccessibletoprofessorsandtobereachableincaseofemergency.AllincomingcallstoaFrenchcellphonearefree.Providersnowoffercellphoneserviceonamonth-to-monthbasis.YoucanuseyourAmericanphonewithaFrenchSIMcard,providedyouhavehadyourphoneunlockedbeforeleavingthecountry.Checkwithyourproviderbeforeyourdepartureforinstructions.IfyouchoosetopurchaseaninexpensiveFrenchcellphone,considerleavingitbehindforthenextgroupofstudents.

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ComputersandInternetTherearecurrentlytwoiMacsavailableforstudentuseattheoffice,aswellasWifiaccess.WerecommendbuyingyourownversionofAntidoteHDsoyoucanworkonyourpapersonyourlaptop.UnlikeonyourhomecampusintheUS,therearenofree

computerservicesorexpertsavailableattheBrowninParisoffice,somakesureyouknowwhatyouneedtobringtouseyourcomputeroverseas.Donotforgettobringtheproperequipmenttobackupyourdataonaregularbasis(usbkey,externaldrive,etc.).

UsefulOnlineResourcesTheAmericanEmbassyofParishttp://france.usembassy.gov/Pleasenotethatyouwillhavetoregisteron-lineonceinFranceinordertohaveaccesstoalltheservicesoftheembassy,includingpassports.SmartTravelerEnrollmentProgramhttps://step.state.gov/step/BrownencouragesyoutoregisterwithSTEPinordertoreceiveallofthelatestinformationfromtheStateDepartment,includingtraveladvisories.UniversitiesParisI:http://www.univ-paris1.frParisIV:http://www.paris-sorbonne.fr/ParisVI:http://www.upmc.fr/ParisVIII:http://www.univ-paris8.fr/ParisVilledeParis:http://www.paris.fr/Paristransportation:www.ratp.frTravelSNCF:http://www.voyages-sncf.com/Eurostar:http://www.eurostar.com/Thalys:http://www.thalys.comDailyLifeExchangeRates:http://www.xe.com/ucc/Weights,Measures,Moneyconversiontables:http://www.onlineconversion.com/CookingConverters:http://www.hintsandthings.co.uk/kitchen/oventemp.htm

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CHECKLIST:GOINGHOME[]LettheBrowninParisstaffknowyourdateofdepartureassoonaspossible.[]1monthbeforedeparture:confirmyourdeparturedatewithyourlandlordandschedulethefinalwalk-through.[]1monthbeforedeparture:makesureyoucancelallyourdirectdebitservices(Phone,Internet,Insurance…etc.)ifyouhaveany.[]1weekbeforedeparture:gotoyourbanktocloseyouraccountandnotifythemofyourchangeofaddress.[]1weekbeforedeparture:sendacopyofanypendingpaper/homeworktoSylvieTouxincaseyourprofessorhasnotreceivedit.