When I moved to Paris 9 years ago, I shouldn't have worried so much about dressing 'wrong' and knowing French
An expat living in Paris reflects on her move from the UK, noting that her anxieties about language barriers and fashion were largely unfounded. She explains that the prevalence of English speakers in Paris made daily life easier but hindered her efforts to improve her French fluency.
Why it matters
Offers a realistic perspective on the challenges of international relocation and the nuances of cultural integration in a major European city.
When I moved to Paris nearly a decade ago, some things were easier than I expected, but I encountered challenges I hadn't even imagined. Jodie Hughes I moved to Paris from the UK nearly a decade ago, and it's come with surprising challenges. The language barrier was both more and less of a challenge than I expected. Sundays and summers here look very different and a lot quieter than what I was used to. I moved to Paris from the United Kingdom in 2017, and while I expected some challenges along the way, I was surprised to discover that many of the things I'd been worrying about turned out not to be issues at all. However, in their place were several other unforeseen obstacles that I wished I'd been aware of before I relocated.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in