tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4761673547870363596.post6616612429654140174..comments2024-03-04T20:16:20.485+01:00Comments on American Mom in Bordeaux: Reflections of a three and a half year expat....How I've adjusted to life in FranceAmerican Mom in Bordeauxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08510479682242727034noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4761673547870363596.post-46322286080887002062015-09-10T10:39:18.652+02:002015-09-10T10:39:18.652+02:00We live in a small town, Souppes-sur-Loing, about ...We live in a small town, Souppes-sur-Loing, about 100 km south of Paris. We have the benefits of living in a small town but can also easily spend the day in Paris (just over an hour by train). Until last year, my girls both went to the local primary school which is a two minute walk from our front door but now I have to drive them to collège in Fontainebleau where there is an anglophone section in the school. I think it was good for them to be in the local school through primary but it was a little difficult at first for my oldest to start school without knowing French. She learned quickly but my neighbours were all horrified that I was sending them to school without knowing any French. Now that they are older though, I think they benefit from being in school with other billingual children.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17401389640678502326noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4761673547870363596.post-35319529264002051272015-09-04T10:17:19.454+02:002015-09-04T10:17:19.454+02:00Hi Susanna - So nice to hear from a 'fellow ex...Hi Susanna - So nice to hear from a 'fellow expat". I can so relate to the bedtime issue!! You are so right - with late afternoon school, activities in the evenings - it's definitely hard. I know every year the teachers in Primary stress how important it is for the kids to be in bed early. We try our best. The hardest is also in the Spring when it's still light here until 10 pm. It's hard to go to bed when it's not dark! <br />Where do you live in France? So nice to hear from readers. Come visit again anytime. I love hearing perspectives from other expats. Have a great weekend.American Mom in Bordeauxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08510479682242727034noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4761673547870363596.post-51806394757341101892015-09-03T22:45:52.917+02:002015-09-03T22:45:52.917+02:00I've just been reading around your blog a bit ...I've just been reading around your blog a bit this evening instead of finishing the paperwork for my daughters' school. My husband and I are both Canadian and have lived in France for 15 years now. We went back to Canada for a family reunion in July and like you I found myself wanting to fait les bises with everyone. I also found it really strange to go into a shop or restaurant without being greeted since, in my experience, saying hello/goodbye in shops and restaurants is normal throughout France (and also in Germany).<br />My biggest struggle in France is trying to get my girls to bed early enough to get enough sleep when all their extracuricular activities are in the evenings since school gets out so late. That is getting a little easier since they are now 10 and 12 years old but since they are both in collège they are also getting more homework.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17401389640678502326noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4761673547870363596.post-36219726878269895442015-08-30T16:44:50.623+02:002015-08-30T16:44:50.623+02:00Thank you Amanda for hosting #expatlifelinky ! It...Thank you Amanda for hosting #expatlifelinky ! It's get to read other people's perspectives and at the same time find solidarity in the experience of being an expat. American Mom in Bordeauxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08510479682242727034noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4761673547870363596.post-13305658469505785842015-08-30T16:43:24.404+02:002015-08-30T16:43:24.404+02:00Merci Sabine - So nice to hear from readers and I ...Merci Sabine - So nice to hear from readers and I appreciate a lot that these insights might help others. Adjusting to expat life is a constant process. I know I will never be fully French and I appreciate my American perspective on life here - but it's also nice to feel more comfortable. Good luck to you and your adjustments as you live your expat life. Feel free to visit my blog again and comment from time to time - always nice to gain other perspectives too.American Mom in Bordeauxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08510479682242727034noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4761673547870363596.post-328454629022064292015-08-30T16:40:30.990+02:002015-08-30T16:40:30.990+02:00Thank you for commenting - so nice to hear from re...Thank you for commenting - so nice to hear from readers. I agree - every country and region has it's unique style and culture. It's nice to experience and note the differences. American Mom in Bordeauxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08510479682242727034noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4761673547870363596.post-61523064963715820982015-08-15T15:34:37.035+02:002015-08-15T15:34:37.035+02:00Adapting whilst retaining your sense of personal i...Adapting whilst retaining your sense of personal identity? That sounds like the key to expat life to me. How wonderful it is how expat life changes us! Thanks for linking up #ExpatLifeLinkyAmanda van Mulligenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17328016562973171711noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4761673547870363596.post-49687369449255784722015-07-26T09:36:28.961+02:002015-07-26T09:36:28.961+02:00Thanks, Jennifer, for your details reflections on ...Thanks, Jennifer, for your details reflections on how you´ve been adopting to the French way of life over the last 3 and a half years. I am German and have only recently become an expat, too, living in or close to Paris with my family. I think quite often about how life here is going to change me; apart from changes in daily routines that come quite naturally of course from the moment one changes places. I had an interesting read about your experiences. Thank you for giving these honest insights! Bonne dimanche à toi, Sabine.sabine@mamangeriehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15987975063489599894noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4761673547870363596.post-50876610992228381302015-07-23T11:33:10.967+02:002015-07-23T11:33:10.967+02:00sounds like you've settled in really well,. I&...sounds like you've settled in really well,. I've been living in Germany nearly 5 years. In Ireland I used to take the train/bus, walk or take taxis, whereas here I cycle loads of places or go by tram/train. Germany is extremely bike friendly! The culture is more outdoorsy too, lots more sitting outside in beer gardens, going to festivals, hiking. So that side is healthier. The food less healthy here though. Back in Ireland I used to eat more fish and there were more vegetarian options available. Here there is strong emphasis on things like pork- schnizel and fries is served everywhere. #ExpatLifeLinkydubliner in Deutschlandhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16531838540641364420noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4761673547870363596.post-3999107622595982092015-07-19T09:20:14.414+02:002015-07-19T09:20:14.414+02:00Thank you Josh - It's so nice to hear that my ...Thank you Josh - It's so nice to hear that my blog makes a difference for others. It's become a labor of love and I have fallen in love with France. It's become my passion to share insights from this experience and maybe help others to look at the world with an additional perspective. Come back anytime and read more - love hearing from readers!! Have a great weekend!American Mom in Bordeauxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08510479682242727034noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4761673547870363596.post-11821253771195010332015-07-17T15:43:57.148+02:002015-07-17T15:43:57.148+02:00Jennifer, I so enjoyed reading your blog. I am lon...Jennifer, I so enjoyed reading your blog. I am long-time Francophile student living in the U.S. and your blog was the perfect taste of a country so close to my heart. Thank you for sharing your experience so beautifully! Joshhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12250642451653151606noreply@blogger.com