Enlightenment On the Other Side

            This week was very interesting during classes we learned a lot about payment options between 2 countries. Back a home you learn that a letter of credit is the best form of payment to use while you are doing business. In Paris we have learned of some stories that represent why a letter of credit is not always the best choice. Another form of payment discussed is that you cannot always rely on your transportation company. Once that company has arrived at the dock they don’t always want to hold on to your products. Most of the time they do not always have a place to store them until the company pays you and they end up being delivered to the buyer without a full payment.

            We also went to a museum that used to be a old train station in Paris it now is full of painting and exhibits. It was once built so that all of the people coming into Paris for a large event were not all coming into the same train station. The station is now closed and they have built a new one, which is one of the largest buildings in central Paris. Some of the paintings in the building are famous because of all the controversy they had caused a long time ago. One painting is of 2 men and 2 women they look as if they are all at a picnic. The two men are relaxed and fully clothed and the women have no clothes on and are also sitting there relaxed. Another set of painting were from an exhibit formed with all of the rejected paintings some of them are of the human body and were not acceptable at that time and others were just not artistic enough and not understood.

            This week as a whole was very enlightening and I really enjoying hearing the other side of business transactions. Sometime I believe Americans think they rule the world, yet in another country they lose the power entitlement many think they have. Being abroad has enlightened my way of thinking even more and made me understand some of the true differences between our thought processes.

XOXO, Chelsea  

when in Milan, Italy

            A few students and I went to Milan Italy this past weekend. We all had a ton of fun and it was nice to compare 2 European companies. Milan has a lot more trees and greenery in their area. The Metro was a simplified in comparison to the Paris metro. Italy’s food was absolutely amazing. I feel as though everyone says that the food in France, but I love the Italian food.  

            One of the days we got off a Dumo the dome area and there was a ton of people. The big football game (our soccer) against Germany was going on, so the whole town was crazy. O n our way to dinner we were suppose to get off at a stop that is in central Milan but it was closed due to an extremely large number of people rallying for the big game. All in all we had a great trip and it was an amazing getting to see the pride in their football team. 

The Little Things in Life

            This week has been a ton of fun and also very eye opening. My Paris family and I are all having amazing time together and learning life lessons. This week we went to the Louvre and it was fascinating. The museum is huge and it took us a very long time to get through it. We walked around with our teacher for a while then she left us explore on our own. We got lost trying to find the Mona Lisa and the crown.              As a group we went out for sushi. I am getting much better at my phrases in French. There have been some places where people have a hard time understanding us; so being able to tell them in French (or at least try) has been helpful. Rachael and I have done many transactions in French. Another recommendation would be to get a phrase book it has been super helpful.

            One night we were coming home from a dinner down in the Notre Dame area and we ran into some boys causing trouble. At that point it was really nice that we have been staying together as a group and being safe.  I am so happy to be here with my fellow MCB students. Also we have noticed that we sometimes get stared at more when we are wearing certain clothing items. This has shown me some of the differences between the States and French culture.

            Shopping has also been a lot of fun, some things we all find odd though. There is a new pair of pants that everyone seems to be wearing. They have an extra long seem between the thighs. Many of the stores we go into show us the pants. It is interesting to see some of the fashion differences between the U.S. and the French. The fashion here as a whole is really individualistic, everyone has a unique style and it all seems to be accepted.

 If anyone has any questions about french culture let me know and ill try to look out for it!

Until next time, XOXO

Chelsea 

A way of thinking...

            Marketing class has been very interesting this week. We have been going over cases after a lecture and it has helped apply the learning objectives. Some of the cases we have done include the companies supreme canning company, Hardy wine, as well as a financial case. The marketing teacher has been a joy to take class with and I have been enjoying this week very much. This has been a great experience

            Our teacher has told us that culture is the main differences but the biggest things are the small things. You have two choices with international marketing you can either adapt or start a Global view with the company. The company has to make the decision to either export or internationalize. In Saudi Arabia there are some major differences women do not drive, and you could possibly wait 3 days to be seen. One of the most important things with global marketing is to simply listen to your specific market. Preparing to enter into the international market is a way of thinking not just steps. Listening to a teacher’s perspective on how she approaches international marketing and her experiences has helped shed light onto how a European goes into a market.

            All in all it has been a great week in marketing class. It has been wonderful to try new teaching styles. Another day adventure we went to the Louvre museum. We went down to the middle-ages area and got to see the first wall and drawbridge built by the first king. It was interesting to see the floor plan of each king did to personalize the building. The history is so rich in Paris and it is amazing getting to see how all of the different pieces were saved and the stories behind each one. The Napoleon’s apartment area was beautiful. All of his rooms could only be made in red, black or gold. Paris is wonderful.

XOXO, Chelsea 

French Survival & Class

            Classes in Paris are different from the classes in the U.S. I feel as though we do a lot more conversing about the topic with the teacher. In class we have a kid from Germany, our teacher started to tell us about the special partnership the French and germens have. It was very interesting to listen to how both side view their partnership and the details of it.  We will be doing a project on importing a company to a member of the European Union. It has been a challenge to come up with a company that is big enough to want to sustain a international presence, and is not already it the European Union. Our teacher calls it penetrating the market with a new product or service.

            The other class we have been taking in French survival class. Our teacher speaks really fast in French and we are to respond with a certain phrase. I took French in high school and it still is hard for me to pick up everything she is saying and translate it. We reviewed out je, tu, il, elle, Vous, Nous, ills, and Elles.; which is how we set ourselves up to say, I, you, he, she, you, all, we, the group of boys, and the group of girls. After that we went on to learning more words to help us in the restaurants.  J’ Voudrais is I would like and the French really appreciate you at least trying to ask in French. 

Field trips?

We got a tour of the city on a boat ride, it is huge there are so many things to see. We also learned to ride the metro to school. It is a little bit confusing getting there but we figured it out. Another recommendation I have for people coming in the future is an alarm clock with batteries, and 3 converters if you are a girl. 1 for each of your computers, one for hair, and one for a router so that you can both use the Internet at the same time.

            Lastly we went on a field trip with class. We went to the Notre Dame Church and the crypts, which is the remains of a city that they found when they were going to build a parking lot for the church! Next we went to the oldest tree is Paris is has cement in and around it to keep it up. It is also next to the oldest church. As a class we went in the church we were not allowed to talk which is challenging for our class. It was very small inside. I think I am starting to realize that everything here is on a much smaller scale than we have. All in all the city is full of life and the architecture is absolutely beautiful.

XOXO Chelsea 

Paris... and a few tips!

            Paris is one of the most beautiful cities! On the way our plane got delayed for 3 hours, I believe it had to do with the volcanic ash being thrown into the air. As Rachael and I got off our plane we ventured through the airport. The architecture is very cool.  The escalators at one point all meets up in an outside area and you can look down upon 8 different escalators. After we got off of the plane we waited for an hour to get our baggage. As we were waiting we found out that the airline baggage people had gone on strike! Finally we got out of the airport and met up with our “person” Marie! She was a little hard to find, we had to exit terminal 1 to locate her and the instructions said we would meet in terminal 1 (a little confusing).

            We left the airport into our black van. We sat in the lanes for a very long time about an inch away form the big buses. We finally arrived at our hotel and got our keys, Rachael and I are on the highest floor of our whole group, it’s a pretty view but the rooms are tiny!!!!! We had to ask for blankets and the concierge desk had no idea what we were talking about! So we got our little French handbook and asked him in French! The bedding is not the cleanest I would say. I would bring your own sheets if you can fit them in your luggage. 

All aboard... almost!

             Getting ready to leave for France is really exciting, yet stressful. I am finishing my finals for the Spring 2010 semester.  Making a packing list for Paris so far I have:

·      Umbrella

·      Currency

·      Coach Pouch slang (so things do not get stolen)

·      Converter

·      Splitter

·      Sheets?

·      Do I need pots and pans? (we have a stove but do we have things to cook with?)

·      Oh yea and maybe some clothes!

            Making a list of items to bring with me has made me realize that I am not prepared for this trip at all. I moved up my final for Friday to Monday so I could allow myself extra packing time. I am sure I will forget something, its inevitable. I am really excited to leave. My family is leaving to go to New York before I leave for Paris so we will not get to see them before I depart. But I have promised them many Skype conversations and they can read my blog, when they miss me.

            I am starting to get lots of advise from everyone. My sisters told me to get up really early one morning and go watch the sunrise against the Eiffel tower, another spot to stop is a fondue place near the really big church in France (I hope I can find it).

            Overall I have a ton of things I am looking forward to doing in Paris. It has come so fast. Getting through finals week this year doesn’t sound quite as bad, because at the end I get to go to Paris, France. It is a reward for a hard semester of work, for more schoolwork. I am sure it will all be worth the amazing experience I am about to embark on.

XOXO until next time, Chelsea Smith