Making your life in France a success: “Don’t listen to the hearts of the world – The answer lies within” Saturday, Feb 20 2010

As I wake up every day, I celebrate the mere fact that I am in France it is a pleasure that many may never have the opportunity to experience. Life as an expat has proven to me that there’s so much more to see and experience beyond the famous landmarks in this sophisticated European city. Saying anything bad about expat life in France was quite difficult for me to admit at first.I have been living in Paris for nearly nine glorious months. I had spend all my life in the United States in both California and New York but this year, 2010 marks the first time being away from friends and family in the United States. Times away from the motherland can be tough. There are just times when one looses a sense of humor. You’re an expat living in a foreign country and you’re supposed to have a sense of humor about the trials and tribulations that are involved in living abroad. Sometimes that is easier said than done. There are days one has just had a rotten day with not a bright spot or a laugh to be found anywhere. However, the French dream to me has meant glossing over or ignoring the difficulties. I am not the only one to have found the life in France to be difficult. There are many people disillusioned with their life in France simply because they are scared, worried about whether they can live here. This subject is highly controversial. On the other hand, there are thousands of people who come to France and love it, finding a level of satisfaction and happiness that they have never had before. In my case many people question the quality of life in France compared to the quality of life in the US. First I think, it’s clear they have never lived outside the US then I immediately respond “without France. I would not have a quality of life”.

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Many cross cultural relationships can work Thursday, Nov 5 2009

This entry has long been in the making. Just recently I have decided to finish and publish it. I was a bit hesitant, especially with my recent history but I’ve worked up the courage and regained hope!

Thanks to modern technology and increased accessibility to communication we now have a global pond to fish in. The One might just be carrying a different passport than you. Falling in love with someone from another country could be the ticket to a whole new world.
Of course cross cultural relationships can work but there are both advantages and disadvantages to think about when considering starting a relationship with someone from a different background. It depends on what you expect and whether you can meet their expectations as well. At the same time one must be aware of cultural differences, perspectives, and issues. A relationship is not based mainly on their culture or country but also the ability to communicate and the personalities of the individuals. Nonetheless, culture, language and the country do have a particular influence on the relationship! Starting a cross cultural relationship can be exciting. Learning about a new culture, the language and the different habits are all elements of the excitement. In the end any cross cultural relationship is successful when its founded on trust, respect and mutual understanding.
Whereas there are many advantages there are also disadvantages when dating someone from another country or cultural background. Aside from the obvious administrative problems such as visas and resident papers there are more serious concerns at steak. Emotional strength is important and much essential. Living in a foreign country can feel like a dream for most but for many homesickness grows to the extent that its unbearable. While this homesickness factor is reduced in some people and magnified in others, mainly depending on their personal history and what their home country means to them.
While in fact we have no control over who we begin a love relationship with, it seems to just happen when we meet someone new and flourishes quickly. Be prepared to go into this process with an open mind, fully aware of the advantages as a s well as the disadvantages.

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French Immigration Law: Increasingly Complex Wednesday, Nov 4 2009

It’s a life changing decision to leave your motherland to a foreign country. It takes time to make the decision and factor the ‘good’ and ‘bad’. These might include visas, the language, living accommodations, finding employment, foreign culture and of course other considerations. Once the choice has been made that this is what you want, the real work begins. It will take considerable time to organize, move and settle.

The French authorities traditionally have put in place many bureaucratic obstacles for foreigners. France is known as being a country with a fairly open border policy however recent restrictions have been placed to make immigration to persons seeking to establish a life in France “faster” and “easier”. Despite these changes I believe that France remains one of the toughest and most protected in Europe. French Consulates have been given considerable unrestricted power to grant or deny visas. This entry is designed to be a merely short summary of the increasingly complex area of French law. In particular I will focus on the process I have gone through and currently facing.

All persons requesting a stay document must essentially go through a French Consular authority and be approved to enter. However, for members of the OECD countries, including the United States, no such visa is required for trips to France under 90 days. On the other hand, if one intends to stay in France for more than 90 days and/or work or study in France a visa, or entry permit is required before entering the country. While some exceptions exist, in particular spouses of French citizens, the general rule is that one must be issued a document from a Consulate. With that said, a majority of people must begin their immigration to France by preparing a petition to the French Consulate having jurisdiction over their residence. France has a favorable framework to people to facilitate the process the alien must meet economic criteria. New regulations have been put into place as of June 1st 2009 that visa holders are also granted their first residence permits within three months of entry given that they have registered with the French Office of Immigration and Integration (OFII) which is mandatory. Many visa holders are no longer required to obtain a residence permit from the French local authorities (Préfecture) as long as their visa is valid.

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Joining the Foreign Service (US State Department) Friday, Oct 16 2009

The United States Foreign Service is a career like no other. Challenges, change, personal and professional rewards are just a few unique traits of a career in the foreign service. The global demand to integrate peacekeeping and economic development makes for an exciting and challenging opportunity to be in the Foreign Service.

When making the decision to go into the Foreign Service one must decide what he/she is interested in before choosing a career track and registering to take the Foreign Service Officer Test (FSOT). Within the Foreign Service there are five Career Tracks in which to choose from- Consular Affairs, Economic Affairs, Management, Political Affairs, and Public Diplomacy. It is essential to choose one of them at the time of registration for the exam. Once chosen, the Career Track will become the officer’s principal focus. After registration one will be able to take the exam at a specific designated time either in the U.S or overseas. The first part of the exam is divided into the Foreign Service Written Examination and the Foreign Service Oral Examination.

The exam is difficult. It has been considered the ultimate challenge to those wanting to join the State Department. The written portion of the test consists of four sections, a job related knowledge portion, a biographic questionnaire, an English expression portion and an essay. The job knowledge section tests one on a broad range of knowledge in world and national affairs. The best way to prepare includes studying U.S and world history, U.S government and politics, international relations, political science, international economics, geography, English, management and public administration. At this point I cannot speak about the oral examination because I have just recently taken the written examination at the US Embassy in Paris. If I successfully pass the written section I will devote a later post to the oral examination.

Earlier I mentioned the importance of choosing a career track as the first step toward getting a job as a Foreign Service Officer. I choose the consular services track. Consular officers have the following main responsibilities: American citizen services and visas. With that career track as my choice I hope to have many great stories. In that career track one is bound to meet interesting people, speak about visa procedures, handle fraud or deny a terrorist.

 

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Living and learning in Paris: The OFII required medical exam for immigrants Wednesday, Oct 7 2009

It is mandatory to get a medical exam when you apply to be a French resident. This always struck a little bit of fear in me. What if they deny me? Will I have to return to the US? What about everything I have worked hard to set up? Well the good new is- it’s not that bad! 

Before departing the US, the French consulate (or embassy in some cases) will issue you a visa that is valid for a certain amount of time. However, there is a catch! You are also given papers that are required to be filled out and sent to the Office Français de l’Immigration et de l’Intégration (OFII) within three months of arrival in France. You must then wait patiently for a letter by mail giving detailed instructions regarding a mandatory medical visit that is required in order for the visa to be valid and obtain a Carte de Séjour. The day of your visit you will line up outside among many others until your appointment time. Since I live in Paris I was required to report to the OFII office located close to Bastille. I was rather surprised but out of the many people there I was the only American! Anyway, once inside you’ll give your name and appointment sheet to the office, they will ask you to have a seat and wait. Eventually your name will be called for the health exam. It’s not as bad as I had imagined it to be. They are looking for potential problems that need to be further tested. Keep in mind France has socialized medicine and it is much cheaper to find out problems early rather than later.

Expect the following:

1. An eye exam for distance and up-close

2. Your weight and height to be measured

3. A chest x-ray

4. A blood pressure test

5. A personal consultation with a doctor

6.  Paying 300€ worth of  timbres fiscal (in some cases less depending on your type of visa)

At the end of the personal consulation you are then asked to move into a different room where someone will place a government issued sticker similar to a visa in your passport acknowledging that you have passed the medical exam. You are then given your x-ray, a medical certificate and other important papers. Overall, the entire visit was a positive experience and took about one hour. The process of obtaining my CDS is not over. I now must go to the Préfecture de Police to apply for my first CDS. With time and patience I will soon become a temporary resident.

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Modern France- unwilling to change? Friday, Sep 25 2009

I highly suggest Testimony: France in the Twenty-first Century (English version) or Temoignage (French Edition) for anyone who is curious to read about Nicolas Sarkozy’s observations from a political figure standpoint and France’s role as a major player in future world affairs and diplomacy. The book outlines Sarkozy’s proposals for putting France on the path toward economic growth, social justice and modernity. Sarkozy speaks a lot about addressing domestic, international, economic and social challenges that advanced democracies like France and the United States face. He insists that French people want their leaders quickly to undertake reforms that will make it possible to encourage work, improve education, make government more efficient, better integrate minorities, and restore France’s global role. It’s definitely worth reading from beginning to end. 

Now I’d like to once again share some of my writing. During my 4th year studies at R.I.T I had the opportunity to write on any topic related to my studies. I wrote a lengthy composition entitled Modern French Society in the 21st Century: Contemporary Social Problems. This is an excerpt from my composition written for the course “Capstone in International Studies” taught by Professor Grebinger at Rochester Institute of Technology written from March to May 2009. Enjoy! 

 

Modern France- unwilling to change?

Current president of the French Republic, Nicolas Sarkozy believes that France is going through a fundamental crisis of confidence (Testimony). This is extremely evident in areas of the society which reflect absence of hope. The goal of Sarkozy’s policies will be to reject the notion of inevitability and restore hope to those who have given up hope on social progress. As once said by Sarkozy “Yes, I am convinced that no country in the world can get by without effort, and that France–notwithstanding its undeniable merits ad prestigious past – will become a thing of the past if it doesn’t take steps necessary to adapt to the changes taking place in the world (8 pg. 54)”. Confidence and policies that people believe in will make France a better place for all. 

Scandinavian countries such as Denmark and Finland whose social welfare systems rank at the top in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development OECD. This success cannot be reproduced exactly in France and its policies do not reflect that. However it is just a mere example that it is possible for internal political decisions to be made to enrich their identity. It may be in France’s best interest to look beyond its domestic mindset. Its necessary to open French political life to the experience of others. In the special case of France, the French want to be French and can only be French. With that said it must find the strength to overcome obstacles in the enduring qualities that have forged its character and its identity. Only at that time can it figure out how to enter a new chapter in time without fear of the future. 

The French are attached to their values in many ways they have the right to be. The values of which are held at such high regard are those who have inspired the world. The key in this debate is that its citizens and politicians must be confident about France’s future. Someday France can again become an example to others. In order to achieve that it requires self-examination and updating its values. In Sarkozy’s best words; 

“We confuse equality and egalitarianism; solidarity and special help; justice and leveling off; patriotism and nationalism. France must again become the homeland for work, merit, responsibility, and fraternity. It must be the country where social advancement is possible, encouraged and, desired by all (8 pg. 75).”

I chose to post this section in particular because the source used for this section was Nicolas Sarkozy’s book Testimony (2007) printed in English by publisher Pantheon. 

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Franco-American Relations [Op-ed] Friday, Sep 25 2009

This was originally written by me in  early 2008 for a course that I took at Rochester Institute of Technology called “War and the State” for my minor in International Relations. The course was taught by Dr. Spencer Meredith who unfortunately no longer teaches at R.I.T. This is one of my favorite things I have written simply because it’s a personal evaluation of a war-related aspect of US foreign policy with France. Enjoy my Op-ed. 

Franco-American relations refers to the interstate relations between the Republic of France and the United States. Their history dates back to the time of colonization of the Americans by European powers France and Great Britain. France and the U.S. have a friendship that dates back more than 200 years. Thus making France one of the United States’ oldest allies. 

The factors that shape French foreign policy have changed since the end of the Cold War. Perspectives of France and the United States have taken different routes in some cases. However core interests remain somewhat the same. For example both countries’ governments have held close the opportunity to build and maintain Europe through an expanded NATO and European Union. Another important factor is that both countries have agreed that terrorism and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction are threats to their security. France has an identity that relies heavily on French values and views. Many of their ideas are stemmed from democracy and human rights. France prefers to occupy themselves with international issues in a multilateral framework through the European Union. From 9/11/2001 attacks through the declaration of the Iraq war until today, France has continuously pressed the U.S. to confront emerging crises within a multilateral framework. France wants to legitimize actions rather than not. The Bush Administration have at times reacted to France with hostility. In the view of many U.N officials the U.S has belittled the U.N. France has promoted the view of a multipolar world with the EU and other institutions. They constantly encourage economic development and political stability. 

France and Britain are the only two European allies with mobile forces which sustain themselves. The U.S. military believe that French forces have improved in the past decade. In addition to the 4,000 French troops in NATO peace operations in the Balkans, France has 650 troops in the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan. They also have about 200 special forces troops that have been fighting alongside U.S troops in Afghanistan against the remainder of Taliban and Al Qaeda. However France and the United States have different views about how to stabilize Afghanistan. France’s mission is to stabilize the country while the U.S has its missions to fight the Taliban and Al Qaeda. Some French observers believe that France should not come too close to U.S policies in the Middle East. When the Bush Administration took office, it quickly rose the level of American criticism over Iraq’s opposition to the U.N. inspections for WMD. A very important time in the U.S-French dispute over Iraq came in February and March 2003. In 2003 drafts of resolution circulated the Administration that would have permitted military action against Iraq. Officials reported that a regime change was needed in Iraq and establishment of democracy would be a model; as a result other representative governments throughout the Middle East would result. France, among several others, did not feel that the objectives were appropriate to establish sustainable reforms in Iraq and that they should not impose. Diplomatic efforts continued at the United Nations for more support of U.S foreign policy in Iraq. The French government refused to send forces for the U.S led multinational force in Iraq. France and other allies opposed sending NATO forces to Iraq. France and other EU countries have worked with the U.S. to cease terrorism. Franco-American relations in relation to foreign policy are complex. Today, France and the U.S continue to share values that are common in democratic societies and they will most likely continue to have political differences and particularly the use of force.  

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A visit with Dr. Bilingual in France Wednesday, Sep 23 2009

 

It’s well known that France amongst other countries in Europe has a system of universal health care mainly financed through the government. It is compulsory that the population of France pays health insurance. As a foreigner it can be a frightening experience visiting a doctor in another country: you’re not feeling good, you’re alone, you’re worried about the language and worried about the cost!

Going to the doctor in France provides experiences that many Americans are not used to. Unlike American doctors’ offices, paperwork is not as big of a deal in France. The doctor that I saw took the time to flesh out my medical history verbally and filed basic paperwork. Some find it strange but home visits are quite common practice here. I can only speak for Paris not the entire country. I however did not experience a home visit. Originally I scheduled a home visit but the doctor never showed up! Truthfully, the language barrier was what scared me the most about seeing a doctor here. I feel that I have enough knowledge but to ensure that I describe my illness and understand after care was important to me. In the end I got very lucky and found a great doctor located in the 11th arrondissement who speaks English. The overall experience was much more personal and calm. I felt completely comfortable. Unlike doctor’s offices in the U.S, here I was not seen by a nurse before seeing the doctor. The doctor’s office was almost more like a personal business office rather than a place to practice medicine. For those who know me- they know I am very hesitant to visit doctors and I must say that I am impressed with my experience here. I regret waiting until my illness got very serious before seeing a doctor.

Lets talk about over all cost. On average a French citizen or legal resident will pay around 22€ for a ‘médecin généraliste’  and after they are reimbursed 70% thus paying about 6,60€ for a medical visit. As a foreigner in France who has not yet gained legal residence had to pay 30€ for a visit. I was given a paper that I have to send to the U.S to be able to claim the visit and be reimbursed, how much- no one knows! At the end of my medical exam I was sent away with two prescriptions which I should also be reimbursed for (someday). 

Visiting a doctor in France need not be a frightening experience !

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Should I stay or should I go ? Think global act local ! Monday, Aug 24 2009

 

How to differetiate the hardships when becoming an expat. The number one thing needed is: courage. After you have courage the rest will be achieved: cultural empathy, open-mindedness, social initiative, flexibility and emotional stability. First impressions can be misleading. I left my family, friends, job, pets and home. I came to France with high expectations of a better quality life, accommodation and the excitement of new experiences. The truth is that I am disappointed with the reality versus the expectations of my living and working experience. I have been in Paris for just over two months. I am settled in to my new environment however hardship over which I have very little control over often appears. 

Hardship is the realative difference in the quality that a person experieces and the impact on daily life when moving from one place to another. Through my experience I have learned how to deal with loneliness and the need for self-sufficiency. I have been exposed to various types of insecurities which have begun to affect my health and wellness. And finally I am faced with reduced access to medical and professional services without paying outrageous fees. Before relocating I focused on the external affaris such as where to live and where to buy groceries. I ignored the internal challenges which were ahead for my life.  I have learned that it’s important to focus on the internal affaris to avoid denial (hope for the best but plan for the worst). The more focus on the finer details through visualization the quicker things will become reality. It’s essential to put the practical steps in place to achieve an ideal life. 

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Bridging homesickness through blogging Wednesday, Jul 29 2009

As a write I am sitting at home and yet I am homesick. When will my adopted motherland become “home”? After living in Paris for almost two months I feel more homesick for New York than I ever could have imagined. I’ve insisted time and time again to my friends here that NY is not my home anymore and that Paris is. Who was I kidding? Feelings of homesickness do ease with time, as I have been told. This entry is designed to help people understand the difficulties of being an expat and coping with being homesick.

The stereotype of an immigrant tends to be of someone who moves to  a new country for a better life, job opportunities or for love. These types of people chose their new home because it’s very attractive for them. However, being out of familiar surroundings can be incredibly disorienting and frustrating in pragmatic ways. For example, not knowing where things are can be draining. The lack of familiarity in social situations (not understanding various cultural references) can make communication difficult and frustrating. 

For me when I feel homesick I feel a profound sense of sadness loneliness and separateness. I feel misunderstood, socially awkward and like I stick out like a soar thumb. When I feel these emotions I find it impossible to believe that things will get better with time. It’s given my self-confidence a real blow and I am still recovering from it. At times it has hit me very hard. More so recently. I think more extreme than the average expat as I am highly sensitive, a bit of a wimp and came here to live on my own. I must keep in mind that being an expat is forcing me to grow and sometimes it hurts- but that pain is not necessarily a bad thing.

These are my strategies to overcome homesickness:

Think positive: This is quite difficult to do but very important. Rather than focusing on all the things I dislike about Paris I have begun to make strides on what I like and enjoy. Compared to American customs, French customs are new and challenging. I’ve also taken a lot of time to think back to when I was in NY and spent most of my time wishing I was in France. Well now I am. 

Make the most of things: I really want to immerse myself in French culture. I would like to experience the products, customs and traditions of the country more. I would also like to join a local Franco-American community or organization. And lastly I’m also considering taking a language class at the Alliance Française. 

Keep in touch: Keep up with traditions and customs of the U.S. Applying ideas of communication is a comforting thing. Email, facebook and Skype are amazing things. 

All in all it’s normal to feel homesick. I did not expect to be happy 100% of the time just because I am in France. 

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