Bonjour!
I’m currently in my second week in France. It’s been really great, but I just wanted to share a few tips I’ve picked up:
1. Sometime ago (I’m not sure when), the European outlets must’ve changed. Don’t bring your mother’s/aunt’s/cousin’s converter unless you’re SURE it’ll work over there (or maybe bring it as your backup).
2. Don’t count on having WiFi ANYWHERE. You hear that McDonald’s and Starbucks are WiFi heaven for travelers but that’s not always the case.
3. Carry change with you at all times because you never know when you’ll have to pee. That’s right.. Nothing in Europe is free, not even the luxury of relieving yourself.
4. Regardless of what you THINK the weather is going to be like or what you’ve been told, make sure you bring clothes for the opposite. I came to France expecting warmth and sunshine; it’s been mostly cold and rainy for the past two weeks (with a few nice days here and there). This wouldn’t have been a problem if I had packed a sweater or two.
5. Be open-minded about everything. If you’re taking a class, be open to what is sure to be a very different classroom experience than the one you’ve had for the past 15 years or so.
6. Pack light! You’ll want to buy everything once you get over there.
7. If you’re going to France, you better hope you like pasta and bread (which I do, so that’s good).

That’s all I can think of for now.
So au revoir!

Megan