Where to go when you need your essentials is important for every traveler. If you're staying in Besak, you'll quickly learn the route to Monoprix, the "everything-in-one" store, where you can get a bottle of wine for two Euros or an umbrella (which you'll most certainly need if you've forgotten to pack one) or a new jar of Nutella, which, probably won't last very long if you're at all like me or my roommates. Peanut butter will cost you upwards of 4 Euros for a small jar (about half the size of your average American Jif jar) which gets expensive if you're an addict. Pack a few jars on the plane, and you'll be okay for the first few weeks. Do the same with Mac 'n Cheese, becuase you won't find it in stores.

The Galéries Lafayette is a large department store on Grande Rue, with three levels of everything from designer clothing to groceries, but bring a little bit more money if you go here, especially for food. There is also Intermarché, which is a convenient trek à pied if you live in the dorms, and it's relatively inexpensive. Last but not least is Casino. You'll find these throughout the city- Petit Casinos are located everywhere, but there is a Grande Casino a little further down on bus line 1 (Chateaufarine) and if you stay until the very last stop (which is close to a 40-minute bus ride, but maybe worth it to some) you'll find a Casino Géant, a few clothing stores, a Décathlon (sporting goods store where I bought a Yoga mat for 4 Euro and a Soccer ball for the same!), and a few restaurants. It's worth making the long trip at least once or twice, becuase you can find things in the Casino Géant you didn't even know existed in France. I, being a fan of dried fruit for its convenience and tast, became a fan of dried bananas, which they sell in packages that are perfect for carrying around in your backpack or purse when hiking or just lolly-gagging around town.

There is, however, nothing compared to the meals prepared by your host family. Take advantage of trying new things while you're in France (my host mom served my friends Foie Gras [goose liver] on crackers- not exactly an everyday thing here in the States!). Offer to cook at least once, so you can amaze them with your famous American recipes and dazzle them with your cooking skills (or lack thereof). I baked fresh bread for my host mom, and she adored it! Don't get me wrong, the fresh bread at the boulangeries cannot be beat, but don't hesitate to experiment in the kitchen while you're there, and give your host family a taste of the city you come from!