Checklist before going to study in France

Indian mothers are fond of packing the entire household for their children. But remember, if you want to get past French customs officers quickly, you need to travel light. Having a light 22" wheeled suitcase that you can easily carry with you also means that you will not have to face the agony of having to wait for ‘delayed' or ‘lost' luggage in an alien city. Take some basics along, buy a good guidebook and map of your city, keep your papers ready and you will find your life much easier as a first-timer in France.

Here is a quick checklist of things that should help you have a quality time in France:

• France may be much smaller than India but it offers almost as much climatic variations from city to city, as we have here. From Mediterranean beaches to the Alps, French cities can be sunny, rainy or even snowy. While Paris might be too cold for you, Nice has much pleasant weather conditions. So, before you pack your bags, research about the city you are going to and the travel route you will follow to reach there and then decide which clothes you want to carry.
• Make sure you buy shoes you are comfortable in.
• If you are going to Paris, taking a light umbrella with you can really help, in case of a sudden downpour.
• Make two or three copies of all your documents. Leave one at home with your family. Put one in your handbag and another one in your luggage. It may also be a good idea to scan all your documents and e-mail them to yourself. French people are very particular about following rules and regulations, exactly as they are stated. So, it is always best to have all your documents at one place to get past the authorities quickly.

• Arrange for 700 to 1,000 euros that should see you through during your first month in France. By that time, you should open an account in a bank in France to be able to receive your insurance reimbursements or housing allowance in time.
• MasterCards and Visa credit cards can be used almost everywhere in France. It may be a good idea to use these, to avoid excess cash from getting stolen.
• Like India, France is known for its open-air markets that are held on specific days of the week. They can be a good place to buy some cheap stuff that you might need during your stay in France.