Writers in Paris Guide for Students

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NYU Summer Study Abroad 2012

www.nyu.edu/summer/abroad

Writers in Paris

Guide for Students

Program Director:

Deborah Landau, Ph.D. English and American Literature, Director of NYU Creative Writing Program.

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NYU Writers in ParisGuide for Students

Table of Contents

Welcome Page 3Expectations Page 3Arrival Page 3Note on RATP (Paris Mass Transit) from the Airport Page 3Directions to Résidence République from Area Airports Page 4Directions between Résidence République and NYU in Paris

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Useful Transportation Websites Page 6Housing Page 6Program Calendar Page 7Academic Overview Page 8Writers in Paris Weekly Academic Schedule Page 8NYU Facilities Page 9Meals Page 9Phone Calls Page 9Weather Page 10Electricity/Voltage Page 10Currency & Banking Page 10Packing Page 11Health & Safety Page 11Top Ten Safety Tips for Students Page 12Contact Information Page 13Information for Parents Page 14

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Welcome

Arrival

Expectations

When you arrive in Paris, you are responsible for getting to the residence building on your own. Airport pick-up is not available because of the many different arrival times of students’ flights. The address is:

Résidence République4-6 Cité de lÍndustrie(entrance at 100 Rue Oberkampf)Paris, 75011

* Please arrive at the Résidence for check-in between 8:00am and 12:30pm on Saturday, June 23.

Paris is a city of rare delights, with museums, galleries, castles, theatres, parks, and gardens. Your summer will be a busy one, with challenging writing workshops and seminars and special events that will allow you to experience the writer’s life in Paris.

Please remember that you are representing many things while you are abroad: Americans, New York University, college students, etc. Always be respectful and tolerant of the people around you AND each other. You’ll find things abroad will be different from what you are used to at home. We encourage you to embrace these differences, as learning about cultural differences is exactly the point of studying abroad! If you remain open-minded and flexible you will have a much more enjoyable experience.

For RATP service from the airport, just buy the necessary ticket(s). Please note that you must purchase a special ticket for travel to and from the airport. Hold off on purchasing the Pass Navigo Découverte, the weekly pass good for travel within the city, (€5 for card + €19,15 for unlimited weekly travel through Zones 1-2) until June 25, as the weekly charge is good only from Monday (12:00am) through Sunday (11:59pm). The weekly pass can be recharged the Friday preceding the week you are traveling. Alternatively, students may pay €62,90 for unlimited monthly travel (for July, starting July 1) through Zones 1-2.

Note on RATP (Paris Mass Transit) from the Airport

Important note: Résidence République is located in the 11th arrondissement at 4-6 Cité de lÍndustrie. Cité de l'Industrie is not a street on which cars can drive. If you are arriving by cab, have the driver bring you to 100 Rue Oberkampf. The entrance is behind a set of large blue doors.

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From Roissy/Charles de Gaulle airport (north of Paris)

Taxi: A taxi will take about 40 minutes and costs approximately €45-50 (tip included—please note that in Paris, tipping in taxis tends to be minimal—most Parisians simply round up or add a euro or two.). Simply look for the Taxi signs at the airport, which will direct you to the taxi station.

Reserved Shuttle: An alternative and slightly less expensive way to get from the airport to Paris is to go through Airport Connection door-to-door shuttle service. This requires contacting Airport Connection well in advance of your flight to Paris, in order to give them your arrival time. They charge €27 per person for the trip from Charles De Gaulle airport and can be contacted on-line: http://www.navette-aeroport-paris.com/navette-cdg.htm.

Public Transportation: To use public transportation, either catch the shuttle in the terminal or simply walk through the airport to the RER station (the regional train system) “ROISSY/CHARLES de GAULLE.” Purchase a ticket for €8.60 and take the next train that leaves. All trains go to Paris. Get off at the stop GARE DU NORD and change to the metro line #5 going in the direction toward PLACE D’ITALIE. Take this line three stops and get off at station REPUBLIQUE, where you will need to change to line #3, direction GALLIENI. Go two stops to station SAINT MAUR and exit the metro station. Take the rue Saint Maur and Cité de l’Industrie will be immediately on your right off of rue Saint Maur. From the airport (Roissy) to the residence hall is approximately an hour and fifteen minute trip. From Orly airport (south of Paris)

Taxi: A taxi will take about 30 minutes and costs around €25 (tip included). Look for the Taxi signs at the airport, which will direct you to the taxi station.

Reserved Shuttle: An alternative and slightly less expensive way to get from the airport to Paris is to go through Airport Connection door-to-door shuttle service. This requires contacting Airport Connection well in advance of your flight to Paris, in order to give them your arrival time. They charge €27 per person for the trip from Charles De Gaulle airport and can be contacted on-line: http://www.navette-aeroport-paris.com/navette-cdg.htm.

Public Transportation: To use public transportation, purchase a ticket for around €10 and take ORLY RAIL to ANTHONY. Once there, change to the RER B line going north toward Paris. Get off at the stop GARE DU NORD and change to the metro line #5 going in the direction toward PLACE D’ITALIE. Take this line three stops and get off at station REPUBLIQUE, where you will need to change to line #3, direction GALLIENI. Go two stops to station SAINT MAUR and exit the metro station. Take rue Saint Maur and Cité de l’Industrie will be immediately on your right off of rue Saint Maur. From the airport (Orly) to the residence hall is approximately a forty-five minute trip.

Directions to Résidence République from Area Airports

REMINDER:Résidence République is located in the 11th arrondissement at 4-6 Cité de lÍndustrie. Cité de l'Industrie is not a street on which cars can drive. If you are arriving by cab, have the driver bring you to 100 Rue Oberkampf. The entrance is behind a set of large blue doors.

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Directions between Résidence République & the NYU in Paris Center

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• The République Les Estudines Residence features studio apartments, all fully furnished and equipped with a hotplate, microwave, refrigerator, and en-suite bathroom. There are also laundry facilities and a mini-gym on site.

• Wireless internet is available in the residence halls.

• The Residence will be staffed with three resident assistants (RAs) in addition to the front desk staff (on duty during normal business hours).

• Like the East and West Village in New York, the 11th arrondissement of Paris (called "le Onzieme“ by locals) is home to a bustling cosmopolitan community of artists, musicians, filmmakers, craftspeople, students, and writers.

Housing

Useful Transportation Websites• RATP (Paris Mass Transit) Site: http://www.ratp.com/• Paris Metro Map: http://www.ratp.info/orienter/plan_metro_pdf.php• Useful transportation guide: http://europeforvisitors.com/paris/articles/paris-

transportation.htm• Useful Pass Navigo guide: http://20littlecities.com/practical-info/navigo-pass-paris-

transportation-pass/

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June 23 Student Arrival/Housing Check-In (8:00am – 12:30pm)Initial Orientation at Résidence République (5:00pm)Welcome Dinner at Café de l'Industrie (7:00pm)

June 25, 2:00pm Mandatory Orientation at NYU in Paris Center (56, rue de Passy)

June 25, 3:30pm Classes Begin

July 14, 7:30pm Bastille Day Dinner Cruise & Fireworks on the Seine

July 19 Last Day of Classes, Student Reading, and Farewell Reception

July 21, by 12:00pm Student Departure/Housing Move-Out

Program Calendar

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Academic Overview

Writers in Paris Weekly Academic Schedule

The Writers in Paris curriculum consists of three components: a writing workshop, a craft seminar, and colloquia events. Mondays through Thursdays, students alternate days of writing workshops and craft seminars (3:30pm-6:00pm), and in the evenings, all Writers in Paris students come together to attend special literary events (generally Mondays through Thursdays, 7:00pm-9:00pm, with a few exceptions).

Each Writers in Paris student will be assigned to a writing workshop and a craft seminar, and will receive a calendar of colloquia events. Students are expected to attend all colloquia events (unless otherwise indicated), as these are an important part of the program curriculum.

Books for all writing workshops and craft seminars will be available for purchase at the Shakespeare & Co. Bookstore in Paris.

FICTION STUDENTS Day TimeFiction Writing WorkshopNathan Englander

Mondays & Wednesdays

3:30pm – 6:00pm

Fiction Writing WorkshopDinaw Mengestu


3:30pm – 6:00pm

Fiction Writing WorkshopHelen Schulman


3:30pm – 6:00pm

Fiction Craft Seminar Darin Strauss

Tuesdays & Thursdays 3:30pm – 6:00pm

Fiction Craft Seminar Chris Adrian


POETRY STUDENTS Day TimePoetry Writing Workshop Catherine Barnett


Poetry Writing Workshop Rachel Zucker


Poetry Craft Seminar Matthew Rohrer


3:30pm – 6:00pm

ALL STUDENTS Day TimeColloquia (Special Literary Events)All students

Generally Monday through Thursday Evenings

See “Readings & Events Calendar” (to be provided)

Each student will be registered for a writing workshop and assigned to a craft seminar.

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NYU Facilities

Phone Calls

Meals

The NYU Center in Paris located on the Right Bank near the Eiffel Tower and the in a charming complex of 19th-century buildings on the rue de Passy in the 16th arrondissement. Your classes will be taken in this building.

The Center is equipped with a wireless network that allows Internet access throughout the Center and gardens. (Your laptop computer must be compatible with WIFI 802.11 B and G protocols to use this network.) There is also a small computer lab and additional laptops for use in the library. A student lounge and garden provide places to meet up with friends or study.

The Center’s library contains resources in French and English including texts on literature, art history, cinema, literary theory, and French and European history. In addition, the library holds both French and English-language periodicals (Le Monde, The Economist, etc.), an extensive film collection (in both French and English in DVD and VHS formats), French and American university catalogs, and other resources that may help you in your coursework and outside research.

For your first couple of days in France, you may want to obtain an AT&T, MCI, or Sprint calling card for making international calls. Be sure to ask for the international access code from France (a toll free number that connects you to an operator in the United States) from your provider. International calls charged to these calling cards tend to be very expensive, however. As an alternative, you can purchase international as well as national phone cards for use in phone booths all around Paris and France at any Post Office or "Café-Tabac". The Program’s Residential Advisor (RA) will also advise interested students on how to purchase temporary cell phones for use in Paris.

The number to call in case of an emergency will be given to you upon arrival. Remember to carry the number with you at all times.

As an alternative to calling, many students prefer to communicate via Skype. You and your friends and family at home will need to download Skype to communicate for free.

Each studio Résidence République comes with a private kitchenette where you can prepare meals. There are also tons of restaurants and cafes throughout Paris where you can purchase meals. A welcome dinner (June 23), Bastille Day Dinner (July 14), and Farewell Dinner (July 19) will be provided.

TIP: If you eat in the touristy areas, and sit in a cafe, expect to pay a bit more. On the side streets away from the tourists, you'll notice the prices will be lower.

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Currency & Banking

Electricity/Voltage

Weather

The currency in France is the Euro (EUR).

You will be able to use ATM machines to withdraw money, so it is not necessary to bring one lump sum with you unless you prefer to do so. There is an ATM machine in the airport for your to withdraw Euros for immediate spending money. There is also a currency exchange booth for converting Travelers Checks, but be aware that the conversation rates may be high. Do your best to avoid the small currency exchange booths scattered around the city. Offers of zero commission and confusing signs often hide poor exchange rates. If you are tempted to use them, ask what the total amount you will receive is before you give over your money.

Credit cards are also frequently accepted, especially Mastercard and Visa. If you plan to use a credit card, we strongly encourage you to contact your credit card company to let them know you will be out of the country. This will prevent them from putting a stop on your account. Also ask your credit card company for a phone number to use to call from abroad. The 1-800 number on the back of your card will not work abroad.

For the most up-to-date conversation rates go to www.xe.com.

Typical costs of basic items:Bottle of water - 1.5 EuroChicken sandwich (Baguette Poulet) - 4.5 EuroCroque Monsieur (toasted ham & cheese) - 7.0 EuroStarbucks latte - 3.5 EuroPot of tea in cafe - 4.8 Euro2 Croissants - 2.1 EuroInternet cafe - 3.0 Euro/hr 5 Day train pass - 27,20 Euro

France operates on 230V, while the US operates on 110V. Items like laptops, digital cameras and iPods usually have an internal transformer, so you’ll just need a voltage adaptor (because the shape of the plug is different). You can purchase adaptors in the US before you leave or once you get to your destination abroad. The prices tend to be lower in the US. Smaller electronic items such as hair dryers, flat irons, electric razors, etc. tend not to convert well, and can burn out due to the higher voltage level. For helpful information about electricity and voltage visit www.voltagevalet.com.

Paris is situated in the middle of the Ile de France region, which has the lowest rainfall in France. However the city is known for its sudden rain showers which can occur at any time of year. Summer temperatures are mild to warm, with occasional heat waves (above 90 degrees), while winters are cold with temperatures hovering around freezing point.To check current weather anywhere in the word, visit:: www.weather.com

http://www.xe.com/

http://www.voltagevalet.com/

http://www.weather.com/

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The NYU Student Health Center and the Department of Public Safety work closely with program staff to plan for safe, healthy, and enriching study abroad opportunities. Students are introduced to many of these services in the months leading up to their departure, and additional information will be provided at the mandatory on-site orientation.

Should an emergency situation arise during the Writers in Paris program, a local contact person designated for wellness issues is on-call 24 hours a day; in addition, the Department of Public Safety in New York will assist with international emergencies (212-998-2222). For medical situations, the University assigns coverage by HTH Worldwide-- an international insurance company-- to ensure that treatment is available to students with no out of pocket expense. Students are also required to maintain insurance with their home policy. For assistance in extremely rare situations, the University has contracted with International SOS, the world's leading provider of international customer care, which includes evacuation services.

Health and Safety

We strongly recommend that you pack light and bring clothing that is “wash and wear” and made of cotton. Remember that bedding and kitchen utensils are provided. We can’t stress this enough – PACK LIGHT! You will have to carry your luggage yourself.The following items are a must: Comfortable walking shoes Medications (make sure you have enough for the duration of your stay, as it may be difficult to refill abroad)Contact lens supplies (available abroad but may be pricier)Light jacket (for cooler mornings and nights)Adaptors & convertersSunblock & sunscreen (available abroad but may be pricier)Backpack for side tripsBath TowelUmbrellaLaptopRaincoat/TrenchParis/France Guide Book

Packing

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Avoid underage and excessive alcohol consumption - “Overdoing it,” leads to the majority of arrests, accidents, violent crimes, rapes, and deaths suffered by American students when traveling to international destinations. As in the U.S., disturbing the peace, lewd behavior, littering, driving under the influence, drinking on the street or on public transportation may all be considered criminal activities by local authorities.

Don’t import, purchase, use, or have drugs in your possession - It just makes good sense. Drug charges can carry severe penalties, including imprisonment without bail for up to a year before a case is even tried. A conviction carries several more years of imprisonment in a foreign jail. In some countries it doesn’t matter if you’re underage either; you can still be charged as an adult.

Obey the local laws - An arrest or accident during your study abroad experience can result in a difficult legal situation. Your U.S. citizenship does not make you exempt from full prosecution under another country’s criminal justice system. Many countries impose harsh penalties for violations that would be considered minor in the United States. If you find yourself in a legal jam, contact the closest U.S. consulate, U.S. consular agency, or the U.S. embassy for assistance. Keep in mind, U.S. consular employees cannot arrange for local officials to release detained American citizens.

Only use licensed and regulated taxis - Some illegitimate taxi drivers are sometimes, in fact, criminals in search of victims. Some passengers of unlicensed taxis have been robbed, kidnapped, and/or raped. When in doubt, ask the Global site staff, club or restaurant staff to summon a legitimate taxi for you.

Do not carry weapons - A pocketknife can result in a serious weapons charge while on foreign soil – even if the knife is found while being arrested for a separate offense.

Avoid participating in demonstrations and other political activities - Here in the U.S. we enjoy many liberties. However, political activities in other countries can result in detention and/or deportation by officials. Even demonstrations that are intended to be peaceful can sometimes turn violent, and you don’t want to be caught in the middle.

Be conscientious - Keep wallets, cell phones , laptops and other valuables with you. These are the type of property that are commonly reported stolen. Crimes of Opportunity can be minimized by safeguarding your property and not leaving them unattended.

Keep your residence secure- In your residence, always close and lock your door even if leave for just a minute.

ATM security - The best time to use ATMs is during the daylight hours. Use bank affiliated ATMs whenever possible. Avoid carrying large amounts of cash; avoid counting or displaying money on the street.

Pickpockets - Be aware of pickpocket situations — crowded areas e.g. subways. Men – carry wallets in front pants pocket. Women – use bags, pocketbooks etc. that zipper well; keep pocketbooks on your lap when in restaurants etc. Avoid the backs of chairs or under the table, carry your bag close to your body, tucked in the bend of your elbow. Avoid bags that clasp or snap shut, zippered bags are preferable.

Top Ten Safety Tips for Students

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NYU Global Programs Andres FernandezNYU Writers in Paris Site Representative 110 East 14th Street, Lower LevelNew York, NY 10003(212) [email protected]

NYU Creative Writing ProgramLillian Vernon Creative Writers House58 West 10th Street, Room 002New York, NY 10011Tele: 212-998-8816Fax: [email protected]

NYU in Paris Center56, rue de Passy75016 PARIS FranceTele: 01 53 92 50 80 (from within France)011-33-1-53-92-50-80 (from US)[email protected]

* Students will be given a 24 Hour Emergency Phone Number upon arrival in Paris.

Contact Information

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Information for Parents*Students: Please give this page to your parents or guardians before you depart*

***Important Billing Information***

Once registered, students will be billed for tuition, program fees, housing, HTH Insurance, and any course fees. All Bursar bills must be paid in full by the indicated due date.

Because there are different housing options with difference cots, the first bill from the NYU Bursar will include an ESTIMATED housing charge. An adjusted housing bill is later sent if the cost of final housing placement is different from the estimated charge.

Please visit the NYU Bursar website for payment information www.nyu.edu/bursar or call them at (212) 998-2806 if you have any billing questions.

Contact Information:

NYU Global Programs (in New York)Andres Fernandez NYU Summer in Paris Site Representative 110 East 14th Street, Lower LevelNew York, NY 10003(212) [email protected]

NYU Creative Writing ProgramLillian Vernon Creative Writers House58 West 10th Street, Room 002New York, NY 10011Tele: 212-998-8816Fax: [email protected]

NYU Center in Paris56, rue de Passy75016 PARIS FranceTele: 01 53 92 50 80011-33-1-53-92-50-80 (from US)[email protected]

24 Hour Emergency Phone:(212) 998-2222 (in New York)

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Writers in Paris Guide for Students

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