Summer job- bad idea?

[Phedre]

Hey,

So I just found out (very late, like one month ago) that I'll be going to Paris next year on a teaching exchange. I'm really psyched, but I didn't plan for this so I didn't set aside a huge pile of savings. I have a summer fellowship, but I also decided to get a summer tutoring job, in case things get really expensive in France, i'd like to have a cushion. People seem to think I'm nuts for wanting to work this summer when we have this cushy fellowship, but I'd rather play it safe. However, I'm also supposed to be reading for my comprehensive exams this summer too! Do you think I shot myself in the foot? Also does anyone have tips for organizing a huge amount of reading (like 300+ books spread out over 1.5 years...)?

Thanks!

[Phedre]

ooo congrats! i taught in lille for a year and i miss france so much. i moved with almost no savings...i had enough for apartment deposit + 2 months rent, and then enough to life off of very poorly until my first paycheck (about a month and a half after i arrived). it was pretty stressful though, and i wish i had had more savings. are you being providing housing through the exchange? if not, for any decent place in paris (aka with a semblance of a kitchen) you should expect 700-800e minimum which may or may not include charges...you probably know that already though! so, if the tutoring job is manageable, i say do it.

as for reading for comps, i don't have any real advice... i'll let the ph.d students tackle that one !

Thanks for the advice (ah, the memories of being poor in France)! I'll find out tomorrow if the job is manageable.. yikes... at least the pay is good. I actually lucked out in my exchange and my professor arranged for amazing afforable housing (knock on wood) so overall i think it'll be okay. Just nervous about the idea of a rapidly-dwindling bank account...

Edited June 7, 2010 by Phedre