Housing

I created a profile on appartager.com to look at co-renting an apartment. So far I have had one reply, and am finding out more information. I still wouldn't decide anything until I get there, but I figure it's good to begin searching out options and making contacts.

Also, I'm going to go ahead and assume that since it would be VERY shady to be taxed in two countries for the same income, I don't have to (or at least won't) claim my French earnings on my US tax forms.

Getting stuff done...

Today I spent half my money.

26 September
CAK to ORD to CDG

And I've got health insurance.

I'm mailing off my visa paperwork today to Chicago, as well as the ANAEM form for my "mandatory health appointment," so I can get my carte de séjour.

Feeling very productive, and now going to work so I can replenish my smarting bank account.

Yayyyy!

I got it!

It didn't tell me much of anything new, but I can start the process of getting a visa now...sending off the letter to get my mandatory health appointment for my residency card...etc. etc.

And a beam of light for the Kent MAT program. My idea for an independent study has been forwarded to the person in charge of French pedagogy...so fingers crossed, I won't need to worry about finagling my way into a French university class.

Housing is the next big hurdle...and I can't really get anything til I get there.

Any day now...

A couple Orléans-Toursers got their arretés! Hopefully the rest are on their way!

Complications...

O my. So the whole life plan of: go to France, teach, come back from France, complete the 11-month Masters in Teaching program at Kent, get a teaching job, and live happily ever after...

I had a transcript evaluation up at Kent the other day, and I'm missing a course. Or five. I can take two by exam, and they'll let me take two during the program. But that leaves one upper-level literature or culture course that's giving me a headache.

Ideas so far:
1) Summer class--no luck, programs are over or not letting me in
2) Online course--nothing upper-level here
3) Take a course in France--so far, the people I've emailed tell me it'd be difficult to live in Blois and take classes in Tours: it's an hour commute by train. But I may still try it once I get there. I'm signing up for one course, not a full load, and I only teach 12 hours in the school.
4) Get internship credit for assistantship--ideal. I could create a portfolio...a cultural study of the French educational system...a journal of my daily teaching experiences, lesson plans, observed similarities and differences between French and American teaching and learning styles... Nobody's told me "no" yet. But then again, I haven't heard back yet.

Getting organized

OK so I might spiral into a sordid world of panic if I do not organize the million steps I need to take before getting to France. So here is my (monstrous) to-do list:

I. Home
a. Get a notarized copy of birth certificate and a notarized French translation
b. Collect things to bring as teaching aides/write lesson plans
c. Look into cell phones--bring England phone?
d. Find out if you need to pay taxes on French earnings (1 800 829 1040)
e. Make photocopies of arrêté
1. Leave one with family
2. Pack one copy and the original
f. Get teaching assistant visa
1. www. diplomatie.fr/venir/visas/pdf/visalon.pdf
2. Send original arrêté, but put sticky note on it saying you want it back
g. Buy plane ticket
h. Set up OMI health appointment
1. Send a copy of the letter from the OMI (hopefully provided in your arrêté) to the address listed on letter
i. Buy health insurance
j. Talk to bank
1. Ask about best way to get money into French bank account (get check for amount made out in euros?)
2. Ask for a letter of recommendation to the French bank
3. Order euros for cash on hand
II. Leave for France with:
a. visa
b. passport
c. certified copy of birth certificate and French translation
d. lettre de présentation
e. arrêté de nomination
f. photocopies of all the documents listed above
g. several passport photos
h. several envelopes
i. credit card, euros
j. insurance
k. plane ticket
l. cell phone
m. $1200-1500
n. all of the documents that your académie sent you, including address and phone number for your school
III. France
a. Get health appointment with OMI
1. Appointment should be set up for you: if not send another copy of the letter from the OMI to the address listed; if you do not have this letter, just wait…they’ll find you.
b. Apply for carte de séjour
1. Go to Prefecture (1 Place de la République, Blois)
2. Bring:
--arrêté de nomination
--justificatif de logement
--passport w/ visa
--birth certificate and French translation
--medical certificate issued by the OMI
--several passport photos
3. If not given carte on first visit, ask for récipassé—receipt placed in passport, proves you are in the process of getting the carte
c. Get bank account before going to orientation
1. Bring:
--passport
--justificatif de logement
--carte de séjour or récipassé?
--letter of recommendation from US bank?
2. Make sure:
--There are no fees due to the fact that you are not staying for more than a year
d. Buy cell phone SIM card and top-up cards
e. Ask contact person at school how to get advance on first paycheck (must be done before 10 October)—make sure you have a RIB from your bank account
f. Contact the “Intendant” at your school—in charge of processing paperwork for your numéro de sécurité sociale, paycheck
g. Register with the US embassy: https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/
h. Go to orientation (Wednesday, October 4, at 9:30 am, in Orléans--the exact location will be available from your school in France when you arrive).
i. Once you receive the carte de séjour
1. Activate your numéro de sécurité sociale: go to local MGEN office (11, RUE ALSACE ET LORRAINE, open Monday-Friday 9-5)
IV. In the event of sickness:
a. Doctor
1. Choose any doctor to go to
2. After appointment, ask for paperwork for insurance reimbursement
b. Medicine
1. Buy in pharmacie, not grocery store
V. Miscellaneous
a. Academic calendar for Orléans-Tours: indicates last and first days of class (aka go!)
1. Return of teachers: Friday, 1 Sept.
2. Return of students: Monday, 4 Sept.
3. Toussaint: Wednesday, 25 Oct-Monday, 6 Nov
4. Noël: Saturday, 23 Dec-Monday, 8 Jan
5. Vacances d’hiver: Saturday, 24 Feb-Monday, 12 March
6. Vacances du printemps: Saturday, 14 April-Wednesday, 2 May
7. Beginning of summer vacation: 4 July