Finnish-American expat Susa, an English teacher, calls Paris a cultural heaven: she calls it home now and loves it. She describes some aspects of her expat life in France, what it's like to live in Paris, her favorite things to do there, the sights, sounds, and tastes she enjoys on a daily basis.	Susa

-Where were you born?

I was born in Southern Finland. I lived in a beautiful lakeside city, but I always had a longing for overseas.

-In which country and city are you living now?

I'm living in Paris, France. I have been here for five and a half years.

-Are you living alone or with your family?

I'm living with my French fiancé - and actually we're getting married this year in Finland.

-How long have you been living in France?

My French Social Security card is five and a half years old - and so is my French existence.

-What is your age?

I'm 33.

-When did you come up with the idea of living in France?

I cooked up a passion for France in 1999, and three years later I moved to Paris. I came here to do an internship. I had finished my college studies, and it was a good time to give the expatriate life a try.

-Was it hard to get a visa or a working permit?

It wasn't at all hard coming to France since I'm a European citizen.

-Was it difficult for you to get medical insurance before you went there or when you first arrived?

Things in France work pretty well social security-wise. Of course I needed to do some queuing at various administrative offices, but that's part of changing locations.

-How do you make your living in France? Do you have any type of income generated?

I've been an English teacher for two years now. I've found all my jobs in Paris through the English community, and more precisely through a free magazine called Fusac.

You can get your copy at all international locations and the magazine is very helpful for many things regarding the expat life in Paris. It takes time to find a job here - but I didn't give up - and now I'm pretty happy where I am.

-Do you speak French and do you think it's important to speak the local language?

It is utterly important to speak French when living here. The more you know before you come, the easier life will be. The French admit themselves that they are rather reluctant to speak English or other foreign languages, espeacilly within their country. Observing local customs is also a key factor in integration. At work, people stay rather distant. They don't, in general, feel at ease to talk about their private life. It takes time to make friends or win people's trust.

-Do you miss home and family sometimes?

I miss people, not so much places - anymore. The latter is the key word. As time goes by, you realize that you become more and more attached to your present homeland. Having been born in Finland but also lived in the U.S., my sense of belonging is not so defined. I appreciate many things specifically French - good chocolate cake and champagne, long discussions at the table, general appreciation for beauty and culture. In Paris your possibilities for interesting art exhibitions are endless. My favorite hang-out is around Saint Michel - you've got the Seine river, coffee shops and bookstores beyond imaginable. I often have my sketchbook with me - and draw to my heart's content.

-Do you have other plans for the future?

I try to seize the day. Life is here and now. France is my home and I love it.

-What about housing, have you bought, or are you renting a home? How much do you pay for it?

We're renting a 2-room apartment costing 800 euros a month. Rents in Paris are sky-high.

-What is the cost of living in France?

Lower than in Finland but higher than in the Midwest (of the U.S.).

-What do you think about the French?

I've never had but good experiences. The French are a lot like the Finnish - you need to go towards them. If you do, you'll usually get a positive return. American perkiness goes badly here. You better be down-to-earth, placing your hopes on a few carefully chosen people instead of trying to make friends with the whole country.

-What are the positive and negative aspects of living in France?

France is a cultural heaven, and a public transportation hell - at strike times, that is.

-Do you have any tips for our readers about living in France?

Learn French before coming here. Be open-minded about food - snails, frog legs and sausage made of intestines might find their way down your throat one day.

-Do you have any favorite Web sites or blogs about France?

Here is my blog about expat life in Paris: http://www.makinen.fr/susa/wordpress