You’re not alone. After the 2016 US election, I moved to France in 2018 and never looked back.
I was there in the Javits center in 2016 when Donald Trump won the election, and it shocked the nation. I remember finally giving up and going home at 11pm, along with everyone else. I remember the sadness, despair, and fear I felt waking up in the middle of the night finding out that he actually won.
Living in Washington DC while Trump was president.
I was living in New York City at the time, with plans to move to Washington DC to teach English as a Second Language (ESL). I was excited about the idea of potentially teaching students from around the world English with the first American female president just a short walk away in the White House.
Instead, I ended up teaching for over a year there with Trump in the White House. And the only time I was excited about that was during the Robert Mueller investigation in 2017. I thought he might have some consequences for his actions when he dismissed James Comey. Boy, was I wrong.
Making the first step towards moving abroad to France.
In 2018 I was already looking for jobs to teach abroad. I had even applied to be an English Language Fellow with the state department, when my alma mater (Columbia University) forwarded me a job posting about a position at the university of Strasbourg in France. It was for a yearlong ESL position teaching undergrad and masters students in France. Since I was fluent in French and had lived in France before (6 years from the ages of 5 to 11), I felt this was the perfect opportunity.
I applied and before I knew it, I was offered the position of Maitre de Langue in the end of April 2018. I got married with my then-girlfriend, whom I was living with at the time, and we packed our bags and moved to France that August!
Teaching English in France positions are open every year!
I didn’t know then that I was about to begin a whole new life here in France. Turns out that there are positions open in most universities here every year to teach ESL, all across France!
The most common position is the Lecteur de Langue Anglais, which many can apply for with just a 4-year bachelor’s degree. The Maitre de Langue position, however, requires 1-2 years of a Master’s degree depending on the university.
Experiencing a better quality of life in France.
I had already been interested in teaching and living abroad, but the disappointing election result was a strong factor in getting me to finally pursue it. So in a sense, I can say that I’m grateful that I finally got that push.
Since moving to France, I’ve noticed my quality of life go up exponentially.
The food I eat is fresher, healthier and more affordable. Wine and beer is more affordable, and of higher quality. And both the drinking and eating culture here is to enjoy, not to overconsume.
Healthcare is universal and incredibly affordable (40 dollars for a dentist visit without insurance!)
I can take high-speed trains to different countries with different foods, cultures, and languages.
People also have a slower pace of life here in France in general. Places are often closed on Sundays, meaning it’s a day to actually relax. And people take their time eating outdoors in terraces or cafes, in pedestrian-only streets surrounded by beautiful architecture built many centuries ago.
Wanting to share my path with others, so they can follow it too.
That’s a big part of what inspired me to create this blog, website, courses, e-book, and consulting services. It’s all different branches of the same idea, which is to help others Move to France and Teach English. Because I believe living in France can really improve your quality of life, no matter where you’re living, but especially if you’re in a country where someone like Trump is president.
So whether you want to read on your own with my blog or e-book, take a course with tips to learn on your own, or book my consulting services to have one on one support specially tailored to your situation, know that there are always jobs in France teaching ESL every year.
And these French universities need your help.
They need native English speakers who are passionate about teaching. Who want to live in France and speak French. And who want to share about the culture of their English-speaking home country.
You have the power to change your circumstances. So come to France!
So if you’re feeling down with Donald Trump’s election for another four years, and you think you don’t have a choice, remember: You can always come to France and Teach English, and improve your quality of life.
It doesn’t even have to be permanent! You can come here for 2-4 years and then move back, or continue on to somewhere else in Europe. The point is, you have the power to change your circumstances, where you live, what you do, and how you make an impact. Always.
As the French say, bon courage!
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