(Photos: My dorm, Les Ormes.)
On move in day, Sept. 1, it took about 3 hours to do all the paperwork and get my keys. Then, since I only brought one big suitcase (mostly filled with clothes) it took about 30 minutes to get settled in my room.
Along with my keys, the international student office provided a few other things to help me get settled. Namely, a box full of cooking utenstils to use in the kitchen: mismatched chipped and broken (though glued) plates and bowls, a pot with a lid way too big for it, a wine glass, a tiny cappuccino mug, an odd assortment of used silverware, and a dented, but obviously important, crêpe pan. What more could an international student need?
And while a pickier person would probably throw most of the box's contents away, let's face it: I'm only here for a semester, so I'll take all the free, glued-together flowery plates I can get!
My room came with a turquoise bed frame, green blankets, a yellow wall, a blue door, and brown trim. I bought red sheets to add to the kindergarten feel, and I don't say that in a bad way-- I love colors!
The dorm has shared bathrooms, shared showers, and a shared kitchen, all of which are in less than decent condition. The kitchen is definitely the worst: only one of 4 stovetops works and the microwave looks like it hasn't been cleaned in years. Also, there is no trashcan, so people have just put their trash in bags on the counters. I think the problem is a lack of personnel to clean the public areas... because no matter how many signs you post in French, you cannot get a floor of 29 college students to clean up after themselves.
Well... I'm assuming all 29 rooms will be filled eventually. Right now, it feels like I'm one of about 5 people in the building.
It's a bit like living in a cheap hostel except that I get my own room with a locking door.
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