I am sitting in my backyard today enjoying the last days of summer – I can smell fall in the air, and with it brings happy memories. I love fall. It has always meant the start of school, but with that comes times with friends, new clothes and work at the pool. Yet, those are only memories, as I am not here in Brampton awaiting the start of the school year and this new haircut isn’t to impress my teachers.
I need to keep reminding myself how little time I have until I leave (Sept. 2 is quickly approaching!). After spending the last three days packing up in Ottawa and unpacking in Brampton, I am pretty worn out. Yet there is no time to stop. I spent today deciding what clothes to bring and making sure I had plenty of photocopies of all my important papers. (Much to my chagrin, my mother had already taken care of this one. I am so glad she no longer tries to pack my clothes).
While my mother thinks all I have left to do is buy toiletries and throw everything in a bag, I have a few more worries on my mind. I have been told I have a spot in a private residence (which is a stressful story that will come in a bit), but I have no clue where to pick up the key (apparently I need to go to residence city hall?!). I have e-mailed the residence, but they NEVER reply to my e-mails unless it involves money and my e-mails to the international office at the university won’t be answered for a few days, as they all take the month of August off. So while I am imagining debarking the bus in Grenoble and having NO CLUE where to go, they are all enjoying their vacations along the Mediterranean.
I would call the residence, except I am sure the lady there thinks I am a bit slow, given the two conversations we have already had. I was told in early August that I had a spot in a private residence, which came as quite a relief since I had been told that students who only go for a semester may not get a place in residence at all. I was sent this official e-mail, and then another, from a lady at the residence giving me contact information. Then on Aug. 18, I was sent an email telling me to call them immediately, as I was apparently supposed to have contacted them by Aug. 15! So I called them, and I gather that I almost lost my spot in residence, however, they had a place for me for 471€ per month. If you don’t know the exchange rate, that would be about $700 per month, something I can’t really afford. However, I have been saved by the fact that my British passport application was accepted, and with that I should be considered a European Union citizen and therefore should hopefully qualify for a housing subsidy – hopefully.
The next problem comes with paying the security deposit and first month’s rent – the banks no longer have Euro traveller’s cheques, and I am not carrying around 1000€. I tried asking the residence how they want the money, but they haven’t responded yet. I am shocked, since this is one thing involving money.
With leaving the country so soon there are so many concerns on my mind – first and foremost being where do I go when I arrive?! Thankfully I know I have a place to stay, I just need to be able to get the key! Well, I have five days to figure it out, after that I am just winging it.