My search for a certified French translator began when I decided to trade in my American driver’s license for a French permit. I am still in the middle of that process, thanks to a few mistakes I made in the … Continue reading
You’ll Learn It When You Get Here
Living in France as a Retiree: Part 1: Participating in Daily Life in France
In two previous TAIP posts (here and here), I explained all the steps needed to start a life in France as a retiree. In the next three posts, I will explain what you need to take into consideration… very carefully. … Continue reading
True or False: Teaching English in France
When I first learned of TAPIF, the Teaching Assistant Program in France, it was the fall of 2023. I had been on the hunt for a way to work in France for a few months by that time and meeting … Continue reading
On Living Two Lives
I’ve heard of people going back home after living abroad for a while and feeling self-conscious, out of place. As if they can no longer relate to the people from their hometown. It’s isolating, I imagine, to feel disconnected from … Continue reading
Moving to France with Dogs: Finding a Dog-Friendly City and Apartment
About a year ago, my husband and I sat down at the dining room table and mapped out a checklist of the characteristics we wanted in our next city. “Dog-friendly city” was one of the first things we wrote down. … Continue reading
Adventures and Misadventures in Renovating an Apartment in Nice, France
After trying for several months to find a long-term rental apartment in Nice (a losing proposition for various reasons), we decided to bite the bullet and purchase our home. We enjoyed living in Nice, having hopped from a Home Exchange … Continue reading
You Have to Make Your Life
Having to stand up for myself in a country where I’m trying to establish the rest of my life has been no easy feat. A thin layer of perspiration has formed and now permanently coats my face simply because I’m … Continue reading
American Social Norms in France and Why They Don’t Always Translate
As children, we aren’t always taught that what is considered polite to you isn’t necessarily what is polite to another. As an American (especially one from the Midwest), I was raised with a distinct fear of being seen as rude, so … Continue reading
How Healthcare for Expats in France Really Works
We often get asked questions about healthcare for expats in France. This is especially true for our older audience — retirees hoping to move abroad, folks over 50 who decide to make a life for themselves in Paris or elsewhere … Continue reading
Understanding La Rentrée in France
I’ve always loved late summer and early fall — “back-to-school” season if you will, though I’ve been out of school for many years at this point. It feels like a fresh start in many ways. My adopted country seems to … Continue reading