Week 2 in France: Starting school, making friends, learning culture

So I promised week 2 was going to be more interesting than week 1. It is.

SCHOOL:
     I enrolled in a semester of French language and culture courses because a student Visa was the easiest to obtain. I arrived at the university Monday to see that 99% of the students were between the ages of 18-22 and there to study abroad and mostly knew each other. 50% American, 40% Chinese, and 10% other nationalities. Classes started officially on Wednesday, the language class was good, I was placed in the correct level for my French abilities. The equivalent of a 3.9 out of 6.
     First interesting experience: We had to introduce ourselves to the person sitting next to us. My partner was a guy from Mongolia. I have only spoken French to English speakers and French people who speak English. I'm used to substituting an English word with a French accent when I don't know the French word. Well, you can't do this with someone who doesn't even speak English. It was an interesting conversation that didn't get very far. 
     Then there's the culture classes, I was to choose 3 from a list including French literature, politics, economy, art, film, history, theater. I went to French History and French Film the first day. The classes are taught only in French, I only understood about 50% Then, the syllabus is passed out and it includes things to read, papers to write, projects to do, presentations to give. I immediately thought "F*** this!" I already did the college thing, I don't need college credit like these other college kids here, I did not come here to write papers and do projects. So the next day I switched out of the program and into a language only program, that is double the language classes and will get me fluent faster, which was my goal here.

NEW FRIENDS:
     On day 2 of school I happened to meet probably the only other student there who's here for the same reason I am. She's a really nice girl from Canada and we've been hanging out ever since. We both have switched into the language only courses.
     Then one day on the tram I was talking to my mom on the phone about school and a random French girl comes up to me and says "I couldn't help but overhear your conversation but would you like someone to speak French with?" She then proceeded to give me her phone number and we arranged to meet for coffee. Which we did on Friday and we plan to hang out more in the future.
     Just one of the many examples I've encountered in my lifelong attempt to shut down the stereotype Americans have about French people. They are some of the nicest people I've ever met and willing to help you out without even being asked. Like a lady at the laundromat who noticed our washing machine wasn't working and offered to call the company for us. 
     I've also met all of Adam's friends, who are of various nationalities: British, French, American, Brazilian, Portuguese. They are all a lot of fun. One night we went to dinner at the 2nd oldest restaurant/bar in France which has been in operation since the 1600's.

ANNOYING THINGS I'M LEARNING:
     1. Adam warned me about this, paperwork processing is a pain in the butt. It is all done in person, never online. And every time you go somewhere to register in something, they will need more paperwork than you have and you must go find it and return. I still don't have all of my health insurance because of this. I mailed my form for my residence permit and I was told it would take 2 months to get the return forms and I must have it all done within 3 months.
     2. Also making that process difficult, French businesses take time off for lunch and close up shop at some point between 12-2pm. Which is when I am always free to get things done and they are never available. Even some stores do this. If I'd known this I wouldn't have walked to the ski store so many times this week.
     3. For all photo ID cards, for the tram, school, etc. you must provide your own tiny photo. They do not take the picture there for you. They cut up a tiny picture that you provide, stick it on the card, then peel off a cheap laminating strip, and voila! Luckily these photos are easy to get, 5 euros at Monoprix (like Target) in a photo booth.
     4. Store hours are very different. We live in the shopping district of town. Everything closes at 7pm. By 8pm you would think it was 3am. The place is a ghost town. Nobody is outside. Everything is gated and boarded up. And all those gates and doors are covered in graffiti. No matter how nice the neighborhood. Same with Sundays. The only store in the whole city open on Sunday is Monoprix, but only till 1pm. Evenings and Sundays are meant for family. And stores that are open on Saturdays, like most clothing stores, are closed Sundays AND Mondays. Great for the employees. Something to get used to for an American. 
     5. I hate the cold. Always have. I grew up in GA and spent the last year in California. People from Grenoble, having grown up at the base of the Alps, are not bothered by cold whatsoever. Therefore, very few buildings are heated, and this does not include any of the university buildings. Everyone sits in class bundled up as if they were outside. Also, they seem to really enjoy eating/drinking outside at cafes in the middle of winter, with no outdoor heating units like in the US. They will spend their lunch hour sitting outside, when it is 30 degrees, not bothered at all. Meanwhile, my Canadian friend and I managed to find the only heated building on campus and plan to spend all our time there.