First Week Abroad: Navigating Classes, Metro Lines, and Comfort Food Cravings

Bonjour from Toulouse! 🇫🇷

My first week in this stunning pink city has been nothing short of a whirlwind. Moving abroad comes with its own set of challenges, and juggling those while starting classes is a whole new adventure. From visa validations to decoding metro maps and experimenting with both French cuisine and homemade pulao, this week has been a crash course in self-reliance. Here’s how I survived and, dare I say, thrived!

1. Navigating the Metro and Bus Lines 🚇

Ah, the French metro system—efficient, but intimidating at first! Toulouse’s metro is color-coded (thankfully!), but finding my way to campus and grocery stores took a few missteps. Let’s not even talk about the day I ended up in the opposite direction, wondering why it didn’t look like my stop.

Google Maps became my best friend, and the Tisséo transport app is a lifesaver for understanding the local routes. By the end of the week, I could proudly hop onto the correct line without clutching my phone for dear life. Small wins, right?

2. The Food Diaries: French Cuisine Meets Indian Comfort 🍷🍛

One of the most exciting parts of moving abroad is trying new food. French baguettes, pastries, and cheese are as delicious as the movies promised, but let’s be real—my soul still craved the warmth of dal-chawal and the spices of home.

While I dabbled in local treats (croissants for breakfast, yes please!), by Day 3, I hit the kitchen to cook my comfort meals. Armed with a small stash of Indian masalas I packed from home, I whipped up a quick pulao with veggies and a comforting bowl of dal. Pro tip: Pre-mixed spice packets for pulao or biryani are lifesavers when you’re pressed for time.

For grocery shopping, I found an Asian store nearby that stocked lentils, rice, and even frozen parathas. It was a treasure trove that kept my Indian food cravings in check!

3. Balancing Classes and Chaos 📚💻

Classes at Toulouse Business School kicked off the very first week, which meant there wasn’t much time to settle in before diving headfirst into group projects and assignments. The first few days felt overwhelming—introducing myself to classmates from all over the world while figuring out time management in a new routine.

To stay on top of things, I:

• Created a weekly schedule (because missing a lecture would be a nightmare).
• Set aside specific hours to catch up on readings.
• Gave myself permission to not have it all figured out in Week 1
• A Few Lessons from Week One 🌟
• Start with what you know: Whether it’s cooking a familiar dish, using Google Maps, or calling a friend from home, small comforts can help you settle in faster.
• Ask for help: Whether it’s asking locals for directions or messaging a senior for visa tips, people are surprisingly helpful.
• Give yourself grace: The first week is hard. It’s okay to feel homesick, lost, or even a bit stressed. What matters is taking things one day at a time.

As I write this, I’m sipping on my second cup of chai (yes, I brought my masala chai stash) and feeling a mix of exhaustion and excitement for the weeks to come. If Week 1 has taught me anything, it’s that every challenge has a solution—and sometimes, that solution is a plate of homemade pulao and a good night’s sleep.