• Jalen with a SNCF bus.
    Life in France

    Life in France without a Car

    When Jalen and I arrived in France in September 2019, we were faced with the reality of no longer having personal vehicles at our disposal. As such, we worried about the inconvenience of relying fully on public transit. Growing up…

  • A photo of groceries.
    TAPIF

    Budgeting For Our Year With TAPIF

    Teaching with the Teaching Assistant Program in France (TAPIF) is a wonderful opportunity for native English speakers to live abroad for a school year. One of the major perks of the program is receiving a monthly salary, but TAPIF participants…

  • View of the living room in Jalen & Maria's apartment.
    TAPIF

    How to Find Affordable Housing for TAPIF

    One of the first major tasks to accomplish after arriving in France to participate in the Teaching Assistant Program in France (TAPIF) is securing housing. Since assistants are responsible for finding their own housing, everyone’s living situation is different. Some…