Four Silly Misconceptions About Living in France
Living in France as Americans is unusual. According to the American Embassy in France’s estimation, more than 100,000 Americans live in France – a number that represents a vanishingly small percentage of the total American population. Because our experience is an uncommon one, misconceptions about what it’s really like run rampant! In truth, the ins and outs of life abroad don’t usually match what people imagine when they learn that Jalen and I live in France. Let’s clear up four of the most common misunderstandings that we hear time and time again as foreigners who made France their home.
“It must be nice to be on a constant vacation!”
Though in many ways our life abroad is a dream come true, it’s not a vacation. Since moving to France, we’ve worked multiple jobs, gotten married, earned master’s degrees, paid our bills, taken trips to the doctor, and just about everything else that falls into the “real life” category. We enjoy life’s pleasures and deal with life’s problems just like everyone else – we just happen to do it in France!
“How is life in Paris?”
We wouldn’t know, we’ve never lived there! Paris is so iconic that when people find out that we live in France, they automatically assume we live in the capital city. In reality, France is so much more than just Paris! As Americans who have lived in Troyes, Reims, and Palaiseau and explored many other French cities, we want everyone to know that while Paris is awesome, the majority of the population lives elsewhere.
“So, you’re a French citizen now?”
We’d love to eventually become French citizens, but it’s not a quick and easy process! Graduating from a French higher education institution after two years of study was our first step towards what could be a long and uncertain process of professional integration, paperwork, applications, interviews, and more. French naturalization requires so much more than just deciding to live here!
“I bet you’re glad to be out of the US!”
Moving to France may have distanced us from some of the issues that trouble the United States, but France isn’t all rainbows and butterflies. For example, political strife, racism, sexism, and economic inequality are not problems unique to the US. Moreover, what happens in the US affects the international community at large, so even though we’ve physically left, there’s really no escaping it. We love living in France, but it’s no utopia!
Many people have the wrong idea about what it means to live abroad, but Jalen and I are always happy to share our perspective as two Americans who have the privilege of doing it. Have you ever believed any of these misconceptions? What other misunderstandings have you heard about life in France? Let us know in a comment!
Get a peek into our honeymoon in beautiful Biarritz, France!
Spend a sustainable Saturday with us in Reims, France!
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