Intex, she will be fine and will be oh so self reliant and grown up when you see her next. I know you WILL worry. My neice was in Copenhagen for a year a couple of years ago and I swear my brother didn't TRULY get a good nights sleep til she came back to the states. LOL

We visited her to see where she was living, going to school etc. and he DED feel better after that, but he still was glad when she got back.

But Dad, she will probably have to go to those seedy outlying neighborhoods to spend nights with her future boyfriend. Luckily, you will never know.

I just hope that the daughter is not too naive. St. Germain & related areas are the headquarters of the slick, well-dressed sleazeballs with plenty of money. They know every trick in the book for chatting up young people of both sexes for ulterior motives. Naturally, 90% of the young people are fully consenting, but there's that unfortunate 10%. A working class neighborhood where honest people go to bed at night would probably have been better than an area with abundant nightlife.

I'm glad it worked out and if you can afford it, they should like that area. At least you got something.

I think it was unrealistic to expect a university to help you find a private rental apt. No university I ever went to in the US does that, either.

Intex, what's she studying? Why Sorbonne, beyond the obvious being-in-Paris part? I have college on the brain now, since my oldest is a HS senior.

if she wasn't walkinh home at night in the snow 4 blocks in some of these areas

What snow? Even forty years ago, before global warming became an issue, whatever snow fell in Paris was gone by the end of the day. Given your apparent anxieties as a father, you perhaps should have chosen a provincial university, as I was advised to do when my daughter chose to go to Columbia University.

Intex - Our DD is planning to do a junior year abroad in France next academic year (beginning next fall). She is a French major and is planning on either Paris or Aix-en-Provence, although she is leaning towards Paris. At the risk of being a glutton for punishment, what ARE the horror stories you heard? Details not necessary, or even desired, just general precautions to keep in mind?

Why did you and your daughter decide against the hostels/foyers? We haven't really begun the finding-out-about-it-all process, so forgive ignorant questions. DD (and we, the parental units) were thinking the foyers might be more fun and "dorm-like" as a place to meet other students. Is a having a private apartment and commuting to school too much like a job?

Any info most appreciated.

Best to you and your daughter.

Hey Intex,
Don't worry! She'll be fine. Paris is a very safe city. I spent my junior year there & took the late bus home by myself frequently. If you just act confident and aware you won't have a problem. Also, no worries about snow - rain yes- but no snow. I am living here now & just went through finding an apartment by myself. Quite the ordeal!

Do you guys know about SKYPE as a replacement for the telephone. It's great.

When I lived in Paris for awhile, YES it did snow, and it was on the streets for days. Last time I went to Paris for Xmas, it also snowed.

She is taking a French Culture and language course at the Sorbonne the first year,m and we'll see what happens next year. The Catholic school here seems very nice, in a great location, but our other friends had better experiences at the Sorbonne. Almost everyone in her program is between 18-20. Mostly all HS graduates, taking a year off before college.

Some posters just like to get aggresive- I never said any of the outlying districts were "seedy", just that they were quiet at night, and some a longer walk from the Metro, I preferred a short walk, but thats just me!

She is from the suburbs, and not used to the city, "street smart", so whatever I can do as a Father, I will, don't begrudge me that.

The horror stories from acquaintences, range from the normal assualts, to 2 instances of rape, and one instance of drugging drinks, followed by robbery (but that was by a girl). I KNOW these are few and far between, and have been told that it is much much safer when 2 girls travel together, thus the reason for my daughters roomate/friend.

We are using Orange Telephone/Internet/TV service, which with a 7 euro surcharge, are allowed to call virtually any country, the US included free of charge. It is similiar to Club Internet available here as well.

She could have gone to Provence, but Paris is Paris. I am sure someone from NY would have absolutely no problem adjusting here, but from So. Calif, its a change, albeit a NICE change.

I totally agree that the school should not have to find you an apoartment, but many previous posters had thought that they handle everything, and I just wanted to advise them how it really is, in case they need to know.

Thanks for posting, I.

>I spoke with many girls at the Sorbonne that were placed in homes, and almost all wanted out. The only reason they stayed was based on financial considerations.<

MFK Fisher had the same problem about 60 years ago.

OOPS,

Closer to 80 years ago.

Thanks, Intex. It sounds like a wonderful opportunity for your daughter. We should have such a year or two.

Of course one worries, but even if they're out on a Friday night in the old hometown.

sounds like the horror stories that one hears about in US colleges as well.

Don't worry Intex, the high school and college aged kids that I know are very capable - I'm sure your daughter will do fine.

Felicitations for your daughter's stay in Paris!

I just wanted to say that I think an apartment in a busy area was a good decision. During my year in Paris, I lived in a quiet residential area. Not to alarm you, but I had a scary situation of a guy following me late at night, and no one else around to help me. (I thankfully got home unscathed.) I think your daughter will have an easier time discerning and ditching the "slick, well-dressed sleazeballs with plenty of money" than dodging some creep on a deserted street!

My first semester, I lived with a family as provided by my college. As soon as I was able, I found a different living situation with a roommate. All these years later, I'm now friends with my former host-mother, but at the time I was pretty miserable...

FWIW, both of these living situations were in the eastern 16th.

Again, congratulations on getting your daughter settled. I'm sure it will be a terrific year!

Intex- This is my first day as a fodorite! I ahve been trying to contact you but was not sure how to send you an e-mail
my daughter just got accepted to american university of paris and we are leaving next week to paris to rent a place for her. found your info quite valuable. like you, i am very concerned about her safety and am not sure whether the 7th district would be better since her school is located there or the 5th and the 6th and commuting by bus.

like you, i hve a son at usc , and i find myself more concerned for my daughter than my son!!!!

by the way , i think i got the last ultimatium from my daughter to let her handle finding apartments and i do agree with her, but a little research from parents shouldn't hurt anyways if you have any tips, I would be grateful. hope you will get this message thanks

cambria1~ Unfortunately there is no way to private email on Fodor's forums (unless the person posts their email address behind their author name).

If you can afford to set up your daughter in an apartment in a beautiful, busy, safe area of Paris, don't give it a second thought. Why would you want to send her to some outlying area where she'll have to trek back to at night with her roommate or alone.

Don't worry, I survived school in Rome and although I won't be sharing my stories with my dad anytime soon....it was a wonderful "learning" experience!

Go with the 7th for convenience; it's lovely.

ggreen,

The 16th...really? Here I was thinking it was much farther away then that. We once stayed in the south portion of the 16th district, and isn't it known for being one of the wealthier areas of Paris? But, it did seem that other posters often mentioned the lack of activity in the area at night, and too me, it can be really scary walking down a deserted street by yourself.

cambria1:
Sorry I did not see your post until today. My daughter is still in Paris, in a great location, but currently with roomate problems.

If I can be of any help, please let me know. if you post your email, I will get in contact with you.

Currently, other than concerns when she is ill in Paris (I have found her a very good English speaking Dr. since), I have relaxed a bit, and feel that it is safer in Paris for her, rather than in any big US city.

The major problem I have seen with kids trying to arrange for their own Apt. rental, is that alot of Parisian landlords detest renting to students. For that reason when they see a parent along, "sometimes" it gives them a better feeling.

I have had many tell me that they arrange to meet somewhere close to their rental, then they get a chance to "view" the prospective renter from a distance. If they like what they see, they will approach you, if not, they just don't show up- a novel idea.

Anyway, contacvt me if you need any further info. I deal with problems there with my daughter and her roomate on a daily basis!

Cambria1: Contact me if you are stuill looking for an apartment, as I may have one available.

Intex thank you so much for your response. . I checked the site every day before I left to see if I had a response from you but kind of gathered that you must be in paris (sale time!)
I went to paris the second week of jan. On our first day of arrival with the help of an agency, we found an apartment in the st. Germain area and rented it the same day . Just like you, I was very concerned about the location and that was the reason for travelling with her to France. I must say, once I got there, after we rented the apartment, I walked in the area past midnight all alone, and felt very safe , I shoud say safer than I feel in the U.S.
we were extremely lucky to have found the apartment (we had previewed the place on-line before our departure)
I am sorry that your daughter is having roommate problems. I will be in paris in Februray, let me know if there is anything I can do , If you want me to call her or have my daughter call her to see how she is doing.
many thanks

Cambria1,
Thanks for the information. You must be extremely lucky to have found an apartment in one day. It took us 3 weeks.

The Sorbonne is now on a three week semester break, so she is now travelling around Europe. I am sure your daughter will enjoy her stay, hopefully she makes friends soon to ward off any homesickness.

Thanks for the offer, but my wfe is heading to Paris next month as well to visit her. If you need any assitance, fell free to email. Its nice to have a soundboard to toss thoughts at.

Intex thank you for responding . So far my daughter is having a great time in paris. There are few students from the states currently studying in paris as well as other countries. so she is looking forward to visiting them and travelling throughout europe this semester.
In regards to the apartment in paris- I had taken Euro travelers cheques with me to paris and converted them in cash and was able to pay for the security deposit, the agency fee as well as the rent. I think that faciliated securing the apartment for her and her roommate. The other aspect was the landlord met my daughter and the roommate and I guess she felt comfortable to rent the place to them. I was quite surprised that she offered my daughter's roommate to occupy the premises that same night before securing a deposit . I do need to thank you howvever, for sharing your expreience in finding an apartment in paris. Because of you, I was well prepared with bank statements and financial gurantee among other things to facilitate the matters, but luckily none of those stuff were needed in our case. By the way, I highly recommend the agency that assisted us with renting the apartment.
Again thank you so much for sharing your experience with all of us good luck

Intex can you recommend a hotel in Rive guache. I have reserved the Lutetitia hotel in the 6th. While i was in paris I went to lutetia and saw their rooms it was o.k nothing to write home about. I would much rather stay in small hotels though In the past I have always stayed in hotels in the 8th district with the exception of last visit and was not thrilled with the hotel that I stayed except the location which was in the 6th. would appreciate any suggestions thanks

Cambria1,
Would you email me at abby@emeimports.com , so that I can send you some info regarding daughter.
Thank you