Croissant or Victoria sponge? That is the question.
It is no secret that I am French. It says it in my blog bio, on my Instagram, on my passport, and in my accent when I speak English. I also love baguettes and pains au chocolat (but no snails, thanks) and I would love to import the concept of impromptu strikes in the UK.
Anyway, all this is to say that I am French and proud of it. And before coming back to Paris last July, I lived for four years in England. I’ve experienced studying, working, renting – all the expatriate stuff. Many people have asked me, “why would you come to live in England when you have Paris?” Well, there you have it: the harsh truths of being an expat in England. Read on to find out about my experience living abroad!
People *always* ask you where you come from
Unless you’re really amazing at picking up sounds, if English is your second language you will have a bit of an accent. Which I think is great because the way you speak is part of your identity. But it also means that people will always, always ask you where you are from. I get asked that rather frequently, even though I have been living in England for three years now and my accent is alright. It shows that people have interest in your culture and your background, which is great because you can then have a friendly, open conversation about different cultures and countries. There are as many accents in England as there are people, and English natives easily spot when an accent sounds a bit… different. So use it as an asset and show off those awesome language skills!
You become a bit of a snob
When you move to a different country, you have to adapt – the food is different, the customs are different, but also the people, the lifestyle… A lot of things that will be completely far from what you are used to. And I have to say, there is some French stuff I will never find in England. Good baguette is one of them – I used to have baguette every single day when I lived in France, and here I am, eating wholemeal bread from Lidl. Oh well…
It is also really fun to see your country through the eyes of another nation. You get a sense of the stereotypes, the preconceived ideas, the things people may wonder about you and your home country. You have to answer weird questions like “do you really eat frogs?” and “what do you think about the fact that your people killed their monarchy?”. All the time I spent in England, I saw my country from other people’s eyes, and I have to say it makes me laugh ostensibly when depictions of France are associated with glasses of wine and the Eiffel tower. Especially when said country spells ‘pain au chocolat’ wrong. I have no mercy!
You create new habits
Now, it may take a while to adapt to somewhere new. You may even, in the first couple weeks or so, start to regret your decision; think ‘what if I made the wrong choice? Should I just go back home already?’ Trust me, it is a very normal reaction to such a big change, especially if you live on your own, in a new country where you have no family or close friends around. Been there, done that.
Soon however, you will start forming new habits. You memorise a new way to work, you establish a new morning routine, you find your new favourite cafe in town… All these little steps help you create a zone of comfort and enjoyment. It is like you own this new place and this new life. You made it. It is a tricky feeling to explain, but if it happens when you live abroad, it really is a special and empowering moment.
You will never love your home country more
A thing I have noticed about my relationship to France while I was away in England, was that I loved it even more than I did before. It is as though I love France better when I’m away. It is apparently a rather common feeling when you live abroad – you get to appreciate your home nation even more.
I love France and will always be proud of being French, because it has given me a lot and it is the place where I grew up and it is where all my loved ones live. Which is why I will always be happy to say I am French, but also be proud of what I’ve achieved for myself in England, the lifestyle I have established for myself and the relationships I have created there during the four years I was there. You build a rich, complex and empowering new identity for yourself and that is the best thing ever.
Have you ever lived abroad? What are the French stereotypes you know?
