I’m originally from the Bahamas, but my love for France began while working there as an English language camp counselor every summer from 2011 to 2014.
Year after year, I fell more in love with the country — and, soon, the seed of a plan to live here began to sprout its roots. In August 2015, I finally packed my bags and made my dream of living in France a reality.
However, no amount of prior experience coming here for short spurts could’ve prepared me for moving to France and actually living there.
I underestimated how tough navigating the language barrier would be
Living in a foreign country can be a daunting shock to the system when you don’t speak the native language.
I knew my French being limited to phrases like “hello” and “thank you” would put me at a disadvantage — but I still wasn’t prepared for the frustration I’d feel and the judgment I’d get for being no better than a toddler trying to communicate.
Once I arrived in Rennes, where I’d chosen to move, it became clear to me English was not prevalent, and that I would need to navigate all my administrative procedures with limited French.
To navigate day-to-day transactions, such as opening a bank account, I used Google Translate to create a script. It was challenging, but I managed to get things done.
This experience taught me to never underestimate a language barrier or assume you can rely on English abroad — not even in big cities.
As a word of advice, if you plan to move to France or any country where you do not speak the native tongue, be sure to take classes in that language for six months to a year before you go.
Doing so will help you navigate day-to-day life and ensure a more seamless integration — especially when navigating the paperwork and administrative tasks that come with moving.
The slower pace of life has been nice, but it took me a bit to adjust to shops’ limited hours
Europe is known for having a slower-paced lifestyle than much of North America. However, I still couldn’t believe how relaxed my day-to-day life became after I moved — or how quickly I was able to get used to it.
My first summer living in France without having to work the whole time was the most surprising. During August, entire businesses close for summer holidays and cities feel emptier as locals go on vacation for two or three weeks at a time. It was refreshing.
I’ve grown to really appreciate how the French know how to relax and enjoy life. However, it did take me a little longer to get used to shops here having limited hours.
Businesses like pharmacies, grocery stores, clothing shops, and even private clinics often close before or just after sunset throughout France — even in many major cities.
A lot of businesses are also closed on Sundays, as it’s meant to be a countrywide day of rest.
This was a bit jarring since I come from a country where many stores are open late for convenience — some are open 24/7, seven days a week.
However, I’ve since learned how to plan accordingly and mark which errands are time-sensitive on my to-do list.
Ultimately, though, this experience reminded me that no amount of research can prepare you for moving to a new country. There will always be surprises around the corner — but, for me, moving here has been worth it.
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