So many forms. So much French to read. Surrounded by things to fill in, post, numbers for people to call. I've heard for the first few weeks from when I arrive in France, I'll constantly be reaching for painkillers as I'll have many headaches due to sensory overload. French everywhere.
The last few days have been hectic. I've filled in so many forms for university, the British Council, Administration in Rennes, etc. On Saturday, I seriously started my search for accommodation. After seeing an advert for a room in a house (which I've seen appear many-a-time), I emailed the guy and he asked me to ring him because he was having problems with his computer. As it was 7pm his time, I left it until Sunday lunchtime. As soon as I asked if I needed a French guarantor because I'm English, he told me that he filled all the rooms the day before. Liar. I was really disheartened and quite upset about it, but by that evening I was in contact with another landlord.
This contact didn't go exactly smoothly either, because within a few emails being exchanged, I received an email suggesting that he thought I wasn't serious, I was being a joke and that he wanted no further contact. This really set me back, I began to panic that I wouldn't find anything in colocation and that I'd be living in a studio by myself - which in the end would mean I'd probably hide in my room and struggle to socialise.
Monday morning, I sent another email to this landlord with a copy of my contract with the college to try to prove to him that I was genuine. I asked him to reply, even if it was to just tell me to leave him alone. He replied and with various emails being sent back and forth with photos and contracts, I'm now ready to post him the signed contract with a cheque in pounds.
Oh the hassle over that. I don't know whether it's because he's retired (and presumably quite old) that he wants a cheque, but obviously, he required this in euros, despite the fact that he won't be cashing it in, it's just the bond in case I damage something. But anyway, recorded delivery to France tomorrow, and hopefully, I can start to relax a little bit about accommodation.
Oh wait...
He's told me that I need to apply to the CAF (housing benefit) as soon as possible. I'm confused about this as the university have told us that we can't apply until we've received our first month's pay. He is insisting it's possible, and that I'll just have to update them. The form is so confusing. I then also need to open a French bank account, which hopefully, I can do from the sofa in the living room. I've been given the telephone number for the International Banking Centre with HSBC and hopefully that should be relatively easy, I mean, at least it'll be in English...
With all this going on, I've had to put off applying for the Stonewall Talent Programme. I really want to apply because I think it'll be an amazing opportunity, but with the deadline being Friday and I've got to write about 500 words on why I think I should be accepted on to the programme - not sure if I'll have time, or time to do it well and do myself justice.
Take a deep breath and pick up the pen to carry on...
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