Louisville Montpellier Cultural Exchange

What to expect the first day of work in a foreign country where you have to speak French all day?  Treat it like any other "first day on the job." Show up on time. Leave the dorms in plenty of time to get there on the first day so you know how long it'll take you to get to work for the rest of your stay. Dress professionally. Business casual Refresh yourself on how to introduce yourself and make small talk. Je m'appelle, enchanté, il fait très chaud, etc. Take whatever instruction and duty they may give you, without a fuss.   You are the guest here. Demonstrate a willingness to be helpful.   They are counting on you to provide an extra hand while other employees take their vacation. Don't complain if they don't give you the biggest project in the office. They are not going to waste too much time training you when you'll only be there for 4 weeks. Your new employer may have you sign a contract.  Feel free to read it ove...

You may be curious about your job and have some questions about it.  Where do you go?  What job will you have?  How do you get there?  What will it be like? The first Monday you are scheduled to work, before anything else, you will go to the Maison des Relations Internationales / Nelson Mandela to meet up with the French contacts.  They will take you to your job and introduce you to your new co-workers.  The address for  La Maison des Relations Internationales  is here. At the orientation, you'll have a light breakfast with the other American students and the French coordinators there. You will also get your tram pass here, which works on trams and buses within Montpellier. While you're there, you should pick up a map of Montpellier!