I just wanted to write down some thoughts as I’m beginning course registration in Paris because I’m very excited and don’t want to forget the new experiences and awarenesses I’m having. I admit that during the summer, I was nervous because the French have a different system; while everything is very organized, we are expected to go to certain websites and obtain all the information from them ourselves, whereas in the US, we are generally sent packages of paper information once accepted to the school. At first, the digital-only communication was mysterious to me, as it seemed to require an inordinate amount of telepathy that I wasn’t sure I possessed. But then I realized all the information was surprisingly easy to reach. I think my initial reaction came from the way that these websites operate through chains of links that at first would appear very multi-directional, as with any typical website, but are in fact quite linear. (The application process was this way, as well). Therefore, while the information is in fact very accessible and orderly, my first responses tended to be, “Wow, how did I get to this page? And how would I go back to the previous page if I needed to? or maybe I don’t need to?”
Another interesting thing is that we are contacted in a more individualized way by a registration administrator at the beginning of the process so that it almost feels like we have a personal assistant who can answer our questions while we are completing tasks. And the administrator can do things like add a new section to our online module if we request to upload an additional document. So not only does the communication feel personalized, the process can also involve personalized website restructuring and rebuilding. I found that very interesting and futuristic, while I still felt a little lonely at times because the part of me that was used to receiving paper letters wondered if anyone had forgotten about me (especially when I read very late into the process, at the end of a series of linearly-connected links, that I had probably missed a department introduction in early September!) All of these reactions put together are very paradoxical, but I suppose every experience abroad involves paradoxes of the sort.
Overall, the French system is definitely very resourceful, involves less paper waste, and requires what feels like a more tangible amount of faith and unity…
I’ve found that there are many good courses offered for the first semester (the image above shows only the first of about five large sections of choices). I am currently torn between choosing 19th-20th century related classes, as that’s my focus, and Renaissance-related classes, which I long for as foundation. (Being torn is an understatement, really. I’m all too aware of how short the two years here are going to be, which is fairly unusual as a reaction for me, and makes me wonder if I might want to find a way to stay longer). In any case, I think I’m going to try to do both classes I’m considering. Crossing fingers everything will work out fine. So far so good. Deep breath.