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 Lady D |
July 30 2006
-Where were you born?
I was born in New York, but raised in Florida.
-Are you living alone or with your family?
At the moment, with family.
-In which country and city are you living now?
Just outside of Lille in France.
-How long have you been living in France?
My husband and I lived in Grenoble, France for over a year. We have recently moved to Lille in order to be closer to family. Overall, I have been living in France for almost two years. It seems much longer though!
-What is your age?
27
-When did you come up with the idea of living in France?
A few years ago my now husband and I had a transatlantic relationship. I moved to France to be with him.
-Was it hard to get a visa or a working permit?
There was a lot of paperwork to fill out, as well as photocopies. It wasn't all that expensive though. The worst part is waiting in the long lines at the prefecture to receive your Carte de Sejour. Sometimes a few trips are required before you can obtain your card.
-How do you make your living in France?
Fortunately, my husband has a really good job in which he can support us. However, I would like to work at some point in the future when my French improves.
-Do you speak French and do you think it's important to speak the local language?
I don't speak or understand the language nearly as well as I should. I have tried different techniques, but so far nothing has worked well enough for me. I think everyone learns differently and at their own pace. I am hoping that I will eventually find something will help. I think it is essential to learn the local language. Without it, you will lead a very limited and lonely life. Family and friends may never truly know your personality if you can't communicate with them.
-Do you miss home and family sometimes?
I miss home and family all of the time! Even after almost two years of living here, I still suffer from homesickness. I believe I am still in the early stages of culture shock. It's just taking me longer to adapt to the different lifestyle in France. I call home every week or so to speak with family and friends which helps. I also try to visit home at least once a year.
-Do you have other plans for the future?
My husband and I are expecting our first baby in January 2007! As happy as I am about being a mother-to-be, I have fears and anxieties about having and raising a baby in France. Mainly, because the cultures are so different. What may be considered normal in the US, may be considered strange in France (and vice versa). Also, there are some holidays and American traditions that I want my child to experience. Maybe we’ll end up moving back to the US at some point.
-What about housing, have you bought, or are you renting a home? How much do you pay for it?
We were renting before and are currently looking for an apartment to rent again.
-What is the cost of living in France?
France is more expensive than the US for the most part. Housing is a cheaper, though some houses and apartments tend to be really old depending on where you are living. In some senses, you get what you pay for.
-What do you think about the French people?
No one even notices that I am a foreigner, unless I start speaking English or really bad French. When someone does question my nationality, they usually assume I am British. No one has ever been rude to me, although some have joked with me about Americans and American life. Even my own French family teases me from time to time!
When you meet family members and close friends it is customary to greet with kisses on the cheeks. Anywhere from one to two kisses per cheek. I find this to be rather sweet and endearing.
If you smile at someone in public, you may not receive one in return. In general, people can be rather private. The French tend to really value their personal space in public.
-What are the positive and negative aspects of living in France?
On the positive side, France has a rich history and very traditional culture. French people tend to be family-oriented and overall quite friendly. The people seem to be less stressed and have a “take the time to sip your wine” kind of attitude. The social system focuses on the people and provides healthcare and education for all. Guns are illegal and the crime rate is fairly low.
On the downside, the French are very resistant to change. In some ways, they seem a bit behind the times even when it comes to certain aspects of modern technology (i.e., hospitals that don't have air conditioning). The unemployment rate is high and France is slowly but surely becoming overpopulated. There are towns that are under-funded, which shows in the neighborhoods (buildings, schools, and streets looking very rundown).
-Do you have any tips for our readers about living in France?
Research before you move! Talk to fellow expats who already live in the country that you are planning to move to and get their insight. And most importantly, try and learn the language BEFORE you move. It will be a tremendous help in adjusting to the life in your new country.
-Do you have any favorite Web sites or blogs about France?
But of course!
Some of these may have been mentioned before, but that must mean they are really good then right?
10, rue de la charme - Doc/Doris has a very straightforward and amusing way of telling stories about her life in France. Definitely a good read!
Sam de Bretagne - Samantha has really made a life for herself in France. She came to France, got a teaching job, and is living happily with her Frenchie.
Française de Coeur – She is a mom of two living with her French husband in the South of France. She is the one who inspired me to start blogging!
A Pretty How Town - She’s a Florida gal just like me! Her stories are very honest and heartfelt.
Angela in Europe - Angela does not hold back on her thoughts and opinions about living in France (be it good or bad), which is why I really like her blog!
Americans in France - This is a very informative site for Americans who live in (or are thinking about moving to) France.
From Florida to France - Last but not least, c’est moi! I started blogging in January 2006 and have been blogging ever since. It helps me keep my sanity!
English Speaking Grade Schools in Lille France
Hi There!
Any advise on the Schools for english speaking children in Lille. My husband and i will be moving to Lille for an unknown time. We do not speak French and i was wondering if anyone out there had any advise for Schools in the Lille France area..
L
Hi, I'm a new American expat living near Valenciennes FR
Lady D,
Hi. My name is Ginger, I'm 29 years old. I know it's been a few years since this interview was first posted...but I thought it wouldn't hurt to try to contact you...
I read your interview and was curious to know if you were still living in the Lille area. I will try to give you some brief details about how I came to be in France and why I'm sending you a message. My husband and I moved to Saint Saulve (a suburb of Valenciennes) July 1, 2008. As a condition of his new employment with his company we are required to complete a three year expatriate assignment here in the North of France. Lille is the largest city near us. I have tried in the past eight months to find a niche where I am comfortable. I've tried meeting co-workers, tried to participate in activities set up by my husbands company or our relocation company, or even just by talking to people at the store. Until recently, I have maintained a pretty positive outlook about living in rural Northern France.
I am having great difficulty adjusting to life here and even more difficulty with the language. Currently I feel like I am in a perpetual state of culture shock and hardly ever venture out of our home. It's a good thing I am mostly content with our living situation otherwise I'd be going mad. I am going through a period where I feel really cut off from the world. I am very bitter about the whole French experience and am really resisting the language skill progression. I have lost my network of friends in the US because no one wants to make an effort to keep in contact with me, not for lack of me trying. Everything I DO try to do here is so darn difficult. I have no idea how to find a counselor or doctor (gyno, dentist, eye care physician, etc.), and refuse to go to one that doesn't speak English. (This is only one of my 'mini-major' concerns.) I recently had to entertain an HR lady from the US branch of my husband's company here in Valenciennes and I had an absolute blast. It made me realize that I need someone that is American here in France (hopefully near me) that I might be able to meet up with, confide in and share stories about life here in France. I really want this opportunity to be successful for my husband but I feel I'm going to continue to be a drain and eventually want to go home before successful completion of the contract. This is why I'm reaching out to you. I don't expect anything...but I thought maybe you might know some other American expatriates or a group or something that exists in Lille where I might be able to find some help or encouragement (coming from someone who can empathize more than a Frenchman/woman).
Thanks for your time.
Sincerely,
Ginger Purcell-Schmidt
Keep your chin up
Hi Ginger,
There is an American club in Lille, you can join in if you are a US citizen, there is a small fee, but it is a 100 percent American. That is exactly what you need.
If you google Americans or British in Lille, you can find many links, there are many of us around Lille.
Oh, and rural France sucks, there is nothing to do, it is really grey and freaky in the winter, and the French are not always nice and easy going. So if you have an opportunity to move go to Tourcoing (not far from Lille and much less expensive).
If I can be of any more help, contact me at (diakite.kensa@neuf.fr), I commented back because your message was really heartwrentiching.
Keep your chin up, homesickness ends when you do things. Enjoy your stay here, learn something, love it, hate it, but try hanging on....you can only grow with experiences like that.
Good luck.
Re: your message
Ginger,
Hello! First off, let me start by apologizing for the huge delay! I stopped blogging about a year ago and just recently started blogging again. I forgot all about this interview until I went back through my old blog entries. So again, sorry so late!
I hope that since your last message to me that you are feeling a bit more at home here. I realize how difficult it is to learn the language and try to adjust to life here in France. I still find myself struggling. Having a good support system and friends certainly helps!
If you're still interested in chatting, please feel free to email me at fromfloridatofrance@yahoo.com - and you can also reach me on my blogsite From Florida to France at http://floridatofrance.blogspot.com/
If I don't hear from you before.....hope you have a Happy Thanksgiving! =o)
Sincerely,
Deb
(formerly Lady D - why I picked that user name I have no idea! lol)
Re: Schools in Lille - Lady D
L,
Hello there! As I said in a previous post to Ginger, I must apologize for the huge delay! I haven't been on this site in a very long time, but since I have gotten back into blogging, I found the interview I gave a couple of years ago.
I'm sure by this time you have already found a school in Lille. Unfortunately, I am not too familar with the schools around here since my daughter is 2 and probably won't start until next year.
I do know of L'École active bilingue Jeannine-Manuel. It is a bilingual school with English-French speaking students. Here is the website in case you are interested:
http://www.eabjm.org/
Take care!
Deb