Back To Plan A

So, I've started kicking around the grad school idea again. What it comes down to is, if I am able to get some killer grants to help with the cost, then it's definitely what I want to do. There are a lot of programs out there for students doing grad school overseas, and if I could hook into those, I'd be good to go. Yesterday I started looking at the reality of living over there, like if I could work and what kind of apartment I'd be looking for, and while it's not glamorous by any stretch, it's enough to make me want to book the first flight over.

I've always looked at apartments in Paris every few months, just to see what's available. So, I have a pretty good idea of what you can get in what neighborhood. I found a few apartments yesterday that would be do-able (some more high on the rent scale, but whatcha gonna do?) Here are a few of them: 75006, 75002, 75006, 75006, 75001. Those are the zip codes for the apartments, with the last number of each corresponding to the district. Ideally, I would find something in the 5-7 district, as that is closest to school. I found one apartment that was right down the street from campus, but I couldn't remember what site it was on. Anyway, I guess my dream apartment would be the 75001. It's in the very heart of Paris, a few blocks from the Louvre. Plus, I like the layout. I know I could get more room for my euro if I went out more from the heart of the city (districts circle out from the 1st district) but I feel like the money is worth it to be in the heart of things.

Depending on when I get out of school and when I start up at AUP, I'm thinking about doing a summer internship. I've found a few paid summer programs, including one at the Institute for Foreign Policy Analysis that requires you be enrolled in an MA program. It would be nice having some income to save up over the summer, and plus it would be solid work experience. Once I'm over there, I could start tutoring in English, or see what kind of stuff AUP can help me find. Either way, I do not intend on not working in Paris. Especially with the US dollar being worth crap, I'd like to have income in euros, rather than having loans that need to be converted. Anything to take the edge off living expenses would be great, even though I don't see it being as much over there. Theoretically, I won't be at home as much as I am now. Paris and I get along better than Chicago and I, and I just can't see myself spending days on end in my apartment.

But, we'll see what happens!