Hello!
I’m interested to have a first hand exposure to the French Culture. I’d be delighted if anybody can give me some notes on what to expect once in France. I’ll be migrating to France by October. For preparation, I studied French Language at Alliance Francaise. It will be nice to chat with someone in French so improve my conversational skills.
Thanks.
Lourdes
Hello Lourdes.
How long have you studied french? How fluent are you? I’m interested to know, because you say you want to go to live in France and yet you want some information on what it’s like. Well, you know, to enjoy France, the first thing is to be ready for it. Just open up your mind and try to enjoy it, and everything will fall into place.
Almost all who have had a bad experience in France is because they tried to live there as if at home. That will not work. The French are proud of their culture and they do not want to change it. After a few months there, and a lot of frustration (be ready for it!) you’ll understand their point of view.
Cheers!
G
Hi Gaston!
Thanks for replying. I’ve been studying French since 2000. However, I need to practice my conversational skills. I’ll be finished with my course in Alliance Francaise by next month. Comprehension wise, I think I can manage perfectly. I just find it a bit difficult to formulate my own responses.
As for migrating, it’s for family reasons. I’d like to get feedbacks from other foreigners who had the chance to live in France. It’s different when seen from the eyes of non-French people. You see, this will be my first time to go there…
I’m thinking of applying for a volunteer job for immersion. One day, I might study in a university too. Can you advise me on this? — That is if it’s ok with you…
Thanks again!
A bientot!
Hello Lourdes!
Well, it looks like your mind is set, which is a good thing. If you’re moving there for family reasons, then maybe you will get the "residence" papers. That will make it a lot easier to find work, if you already have the right to stay in France. Otherwise, well, you’re really limited, because you’ll only be able to work "au noir". Not the best…
As for the university this is definitely a good choice, if you want to study in Europe. I take it you’re from the US. But I’m not sure ;-(
Anyway, there’s a huge american expat group in Paris, so you’ll have no shortage of advise and experience coming from those who have made the trip before you.
Anyone here care to comment? Any thing Lourdes should take into consideration above all before moving to France?
G
Carmen,
Thanks a lot for the information. I really appreciate it. Teaching is one of my options but I don’t know how and where to start. This site can help me a lot. However, while I went through the site, I learned that they’ve got a list of eligible countries and the Philippines is not included. I just hope that it won’t be a hindrance. Anyway, that won’t stop me from applying as well…
Oui, nous pouvons communiquer en Francais. Il faut que je partique fréquemment la langue. Je partirai pour la France en Octobre. J’habiterai a la banlieue de Paris. Maintenant, je suis en train d’achever mes études a l’Alliance Française de Manille et a l’IBM.
Il y a quelques années, j’ai travaillé comme comptable. En ce moment, je prevois de faire une autre chose d’intéressant
… Souhaitez-moi de la chance…
Un de ces jours, tu pourrais m’enseigner d’espagnol…
J’espere encore de recevoir des nouvelles de toi…
A bientot!
Lourdes
Hi Gaston!
Really appreciate hearing from you. Actually, I’m from the Philippines and I’m a Filipina. I’ll get my residence visa in France as soon as I get there in October. Eventually, I really plan to work there. I just pray I can have good opportunities. I’m an accountant by profession. Recently, I took up another degree course in Software Engineering. Hope this will open my doors for a career in France. I just don’t know how the French companies will evaluate my educational attainment. I’m quite at a loss at this. Anyway, that’s not an urgent matter for now. I still have to settle down first and get myself well versed in French before to venture out on this.
Schooling is also an available option for me but not this soon… You see, I’m thinking of a lot of things at the same time. I’m practically cramming. Well, from what you’ve said, I’ve got nothing to worry about… Thanks a lot…
Thanks also for encouraging others to give me some advice.
A bientot!
Hi Lourdes!
If you go to France, you can finda job like English assitant. Tuhis is the link where you can find all information you need. French starts to study English since elementary school so they always need a languague assistant.
Si tu veux on peut s’ecrire en Français. Je m’appelle Carmen et je suis mexicaine mais au ce moment là je travaille comme assistante d’espagnol dans un lycee au sudest de la France.
Bonne Chance et à bientot!
Carmen
PS je l’avait oublié voilà le link http://www.ciep.org