As we all know, things are rarely what they look like in the movies or in romanticized novels. We learn so much more about the world around us when we experience things first hand. Here are some everyday things that surprised me about Paris when I first arrived. These aren’t necessarily culture shocks, just things that stood out to me in my initial observations.
Like in any big city, finding an apartment to rent in Paris can be challenging. I’ve created this guide to help you get ready for the apartment hunt. By the end of this blog post, you should have a better idea of how to find an apartment in Paris and what paperwork you’ll need to put together for the application.
Whether you are making a permanent move abroad or just living abroad temporarily as an expat, it’s important to remember that life abroad, like life anywhere, has its ups and downs. Here’s a list of some of the biggest challenges you may face and how to overcome them.
Apartment hunting in Paris can be an exciting adventure but it can easily become an overwhelming full-time job. Before diving in, it is essential to take the time to define your criteria so you can efficiently sort through listings and rapidly identify apartments that are worth touring.
As an American grocery shopping in France, there were definitely some things that initially surprised me. Here’s what you can expect at the grocery store in France as well as a few handy tips to make your experience better.
A Francophile is someone who really loves and admires France and the French. This can include a strong interest in French culture, history, art, literature, food, lifestyle, and/or the French language. Do you consider yourself a Francophile?
It’s no secret—I love living in Paris. But life here isn’t all roses and butterflies. Let’s explore the pros and the cons!
I’m sharing my personal list of things that I bring back to France from the United States of America. Every time I’m back in the States, I reference this list so that I can stock up on my favorite food products, ingredients for cooking and baking, personal hygiene items, and pharmaceuticals. This list started out as a note in my phone and here it is now, in all its glory!
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, France has been under a nationwide lockdown since October 30, 2020 and it is expected to last in some capacity until at least December 1st. This second confinement has been different in many ways from the first lockdown, and to be honest, a heck of a lot more confusing.
This Netflix series follows Emily, an ambitious young American woman from Chicago with a questionable sense of fashion, as she moves to Paris thanks to an unexpected job opportunity. It’s her first time in Europe, and I couldn’t help but feel excited for her wide-eyed initial encounter with the City of Light. Later on, as an American living in Paris myself, I couldn’t help but feel irritated by her overall ignorance and naïveté.