Another Day, Another Document Trouble

If you're blissfully unfamiliar with the French bureaucracy (like I was about 3 months ago), then count your blessings.  It feels like since the moment I arrived, I've been filling out paperwork, copying my passport, and visiting the secretary to ask what I need or hand in something I've just completed.  Really, it's quite entertaining...or something like that.

Today alone, I've been in communication with multiple professors, the French consulate in Chicago, as many of my fellow assistants as possible, and 2 different secretaries just trying to figure out one document in particular.  Without getting technical, it's a formal request to stay in France that I no longer have to make.  (Worry not, I've loads of others to request.)  However, it seems like no one other than other assistants are up to snuff on who needs what and where it goes.  All in all, it's been loads of fun, and I can't wait to have it over with.  But it has me wondering... what other countries are like this?  Is France especially annoyingly out-of-sync in their communications between departments or is that pretty common?  I'd love to know if you've had any experience with this.

Until next time,

Angie