Moving in tomorrow!

Well this isn't too bad, isn't it?

Tomorrow I head off to Grenoble and to move in and get to know people - should be very exciting!

Over the last few days I've mainly spent my time with my family in the surrounding Isere region, taking in the countryside and brushing up on my French skills.  I've had a really nice time and managed to get some nice photos of the area too.  Thankfully I've been able to get some practice in when it comes to my language skills - it's been nice to try and converse with people (even if they realise I'm English and start speaking my native language as a result...)

I dropped into Grenoble today for a look around - the town looks very nice and the centre is very picturesque!  Rather hot too, though I guess that'll fade quickly.  Probably just as well that I've packed the shorts and T shirts for the remainder of the summer then - something slightly thicker for the winter months.

Quite a lot to think about when I get there - unpacking, finding out what is included and what isn't, how to get the Internet connection sorted, how to get my Moneo money card arranged for meals in the local restaurants... you name it really!  Hopefully there'll be a chance to meet some people who live there near me.
Arsonval has only around 50 rooms or so so I haven't been able to find anybody who lives in the same block.  (Fortunately I guess that means there won't be much of a fight for parking spaces outside!)

I should be about mid-morning/early afternoon, definitely looking forward to meeting everyone!

See you all tomorrow!

Mike :)
 

The Mailbag Part 4: 10 days left...

With ten days to go, suddenly the list-building takes over. Accumulating large folders full of letters, identity information and confirmation that I'm meant to be there.

I think it's safe to say that my post on the mental aspect if going away caused a bit of a stir and provoked some thought amongst the Erasmus groups.

Thankfully I think it's safe to say there are some great people out there, full of encouragement...

'After this experience you'll never want to leave... Life changing.'

'You think too much! You must enjoy the adventure! :)'

'I agree, you'll be fine! In France (and every other country I can imagine!) there's no point trying to second guess how it'll be of what's going to happen!'

'Everyone I speak to says the same thing - it'll be the best year of our lives.'

Think it's safe to say that there's no shortage of great people out there who are clearly very supportive. I have to thank you all for that and look forward to seeing you there!

Right, onto the Mailbag for this week...

• Firstly, I wrote in my last post about cashback as a passing point. Turns out it doesn't exist... In Britain the practice is well-established, though evidently you'll need to have some other means of being readily accessible to cash if there isn't an ATM in sight...
  
• CAF - the French government grant for accommodation appears to be only available for those staying longer than 8 months.  Bear that in mind before you apply, though the attitude appears to be 'go to the social security office and explain your situation.'
  
• There are a few people asking about translation of documents for registering.  I got an email about registering and it said that the only documents that needed to be translated are those that are not in English, French, German or Spanish.
  
• Exchange students do not need to have a guarantor for their accommodation - there is no way of checking so they don't bother with it.  A deposit shall be fine :)

Hopefully this'll help people begin to get their stuff together.  Any other questions feel free to drop them to me.

10 days left... And then the 10 month journey begins.

Mike :)

The Mailbag Part 3: we're drawing nearer...

Good morning readers!

It's 15 days to go now until I make the journey to France now - utterly terrifying but exciting.

It occurred to a family member the other day that I spend so much time thinking about all the practical things, what to do next and so on.... They worry I might forget to consider the mental impact it's going to have, the emotions and the psychology if it all.

It's something I look forward to writing about and I will publish some early thoughts over the next day or two (might need to find a leather wingback chair and crack open a bottle of port to consider it...)

Anyway, onto the Mailbag!

• A few people haven't received any confirmation emails for their options. Seems to predominantly affecting those going to Stendhal from what I'm reading. What I would do in that situation is get someone on the phone from the institution - it appears there are a few people getting emails back with auto responders saying staff are off.

• What time can we move in? Well, according to a response from accommodation services to Marie-Laure Tapp, blocks are open 24/7. However - certainly in the case of Ouest - it would be easier to check in before 5pm. It's worth checking to see.

• Phone contracts - several people based in mainland Europe are considering getting mobile phone contracts and are trying to find the best deal. The aptly-named Free! network seems to be one of the most talked-about on the forums and groups, with a relatively inexpensive range of options. I've also heard Sosh being mentioned, as has Virgin Mobil. 

Frankly, some of the rates put UK companies to shame. Companies here seem to be so concerned with profits that they hike up the prices to extortionate levels. You are quite literally able to get a better deal in France and pay a third of the price.

• Travel to Grenoble. It would appear that several people are flying to the area's biggest airport at Geneva and need to get public transport to Grenoble. Having read some comments, the shuttle bus is very expensive and the top option is the train. I had a quick look and you can reserve a seat for the two hour trip for under €30.

• And finally... For those interested in outdoor sports, I reckon you should get on Outdoor Sports Grenoble International on Facebook. A group for those into hiking, mountaineering, canyon-running, it's certain one of the big and upcoming groups for Grenoble students. Julian Krooß has set it up and is promoting the trial runners: 168km endurance runners that make Iron Man look like a Sunday stroll. You'd have to be insane, but I think it's utterly engrossing to follow. I saw a trial run in the Pyrenees a few years ago and I was lucky enough to meet a trial runner in Norway a year later. Be sure to give the page a look.

Well that's all from me today, I'll be posting some more Q&A soon, as well as other cool features. Don't forget to share and send me questions!

Mike :)

The Mailbag Part 2

Following the success of the first of my Mailbags, I can happily say here's a second part:

• Accommodation, deposits and all that - A few people (myself included) have asked about what the next step is with regards to our accommodation.  Things like deposits and rent and insurance all need to be sorted out.
  Thanks to David Reyes (University of Malaga) I can tell you that we'll be sorting everything upon arrival.
• Household Insurance - One of the compulsory things you need is household insurance when getting CROUS accommodation in France.  This is simply to cover you in case of an accident.
  At first I think it was safe to say that no-one really knew what to do, though a bit of searching goes a long way.  I looked at several sites and they all pointed to Smeno as the place to go.  Once you are insured you are able to download the certificate immediately to show to the accommodation office.

• Mobile phones - A lot of people across Europe have been talking about mobile phones and which is the best company to go to.  Well, there was a rousing response from people.  Sarah Bilot (UPMF) handily added in a comparison site to compare contracts (known as 'forfaits' in France) which can be seen here.   

During the next couple of days I'll work out what's going on with the CAF, the grant you can get paid for your accommodation in France.  I think it'll help greatly with costs so it's definitely worth looking in to.

Much to do today - keeping life as normal as I can given the insane excitement that's befallen me of late.  I cannot wait to get going.  

It's three weeks today.

Mike :)

The MailBag: Episode 1

Hello everybody!


Right, it's time for the first of my Mailbag series.  Basically, I scour through the best of the questions, comments and messages that I've found/received over the last few days and I let you all know what's what.

1. A lot of people seem to be moving into Grenoble pretty early - many before their tenancies are due to start!   - This is fair enough, many seem to be wanting to get into Grenoble promptly to settle in and get to know the area before they get hit with work.  Going too early, however, can result in you having nowhere to live for those first few days.
   A few people have mentioned finding houses or flats.  Personally, I reckon that we aren't talking about a huge amount of time between getting there and moving in.  May I suggest a Youth Hostel to you? 
   The only Youth Hostel anywhere near Grenoble (without a 10 mile walk into town) is the Hostel Grenoble located 10 Avenue du Gresivaudan.  Its somewhere around EUR20 per person per night so it's always worth a look if you want something near town.
   
2. A few people missed the CROUS deadline for student accommodation - OK, firstly don't panic - there will likely be something you can do fairly easily.
   Because you missed the deadline, you'll have to wait until the 1st September to find out where you're living for the first semester.  Panic not though - I would still rate your chances as pretty good of getting some CROUS living.  If you're going to wait until three days before people start moving in I can't see them turning around so close to the start of the course and saying "sorry, nowhere for you!"  How are you meant to find something in such a short space of time?  My money is on you getting somewhere :)  Obviously I don't take any responsibility if you don't!
3. What about Internet connections? - I don't know how anyone can survive without a good internet connection... Thankfully, the CROUS team have kindly provided us with the name of the company that they like to use.  Neoservices is the one that is frequently mentioned across the accommodation guides.  I would believe that you'll get some details when you move in. 
   There are some blocks where I am lead to believe that you have to find your own deal with an ISP.  Shop around and look for the best deal for your needs, I am no French ISP expert!
4. And finally, some sound advice from a Brit - Thanks to Ifan Williams (University College London) I can report that Grenoble is more expensive than London!  I'm sure this'll bring up good old debates about budgeting.
   Ifan would also like to stress that there are nearly no buses running late at night - I would like to stress that I do not condone his suggestion of drunken cycling home at the end of a night out.

Well, there's a few of my top questions from the day.  Hopefully there'll be a nice load of them over the next coming days.  Any more questions, feel free to comment and I'll add them in!

Mike :)