In searching for a place to live in Paris this year, I considered living in a foyer, which is more or less a dorm that is not university-affiliated. I find my interactions with them very typical of the infamous administrative delays in France.
June: Apply to the foyer.
early July: Letter from the foyer—“Sorry, we don’t accept students working with Sciences Po.” (Too elite of a university.)
mid July: I send a panicked email to friends in Paris, asking about apartments.
late July: Letter from the foyer—“A room has been reserved. Here is your receipt for 411E.”
August: I now have two places. The foyer says they can reimburse my deposit, so I take the apartment.
September: I send an email saying, “Hey, I’m in Paris, when can I pick up my check?”
October: After several calls and emails, I finally get someone on the phone at the foyer to ask about my reimbursement.
They will theoretically call me back soon.
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