Stevenstruck
8/2/2016 16:22 EST
I will be moving to Dinan., Brittany, mid September, From California. I'm looking to connect with ex-pats from either the U.S. Or perhaps Britain. People
Post a Reply
 0 0 abuse
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Lekitanin
8/3/2016 09:19 EST
I was wondering why do you want to connect with ex-pats even before moving there?
I think it would be much better to connect with locals. What's the point of moving to France after all?
Don't you want to learn to swimm as quickly as possible instead of walking in water up to you ankles?
Post a Reply
 0 0 abuse
|
|
Kathling9
8/8/2016 12:05 EST
Hi there. I moved to France (Sète) just two months ago and was very happy that I found online connections six months before I moved here. There are two English speaking groups here, both of which I joined online. They are a treasure trove of information -- meet-ups, French class locations, government obstacles. I learned how to book a train and exactly what bus routes I would need before I ever arrived. I had also exchanged emails with several in the groups.
They are tremendously supportive, and that's certainly helpful when you're brand new.
Brittany appears to have some good groups.
Try Angloinfo, then Brittany.
Also Connexion for Fr news in English and many helpful postings and links.
Best of luck to you.
Post a Reply
00abuse
|
|
emiliaromagna
8/8/2016 19:47 EST
Lekitanin: Stevenstruck likely has thought about as to why he wants to connect with expats before moving. It's his prerogative, nothing questionable or unusual about it. Since there is nothing questionable about it, they don't owe anyone an explanation.
Post a Reply
00abuse
|
|
|
|
|
|
xantippe
8/9/2016 12:14 EST
Sometimes it is simpler to get the answers to questions in your own language than having to try and understand what people are telling you in a language you may speak but haven't yet understood the nuances. If you do not speak much of the language of your host country it gets very tiring speaking to people, and lonely. Also by the time you are an adult most people have their circle of friends, breaking into other peoples circle of friends is not easy. However if you engage with other expats you are all relatively new and more likely to welcome new acquaintances. Expats also understand the problems that occur with moving to a new country, that most locals cannot understand. Not just the homesickness, which is often present but small things that locals take for granted. There are issues that only happen to expats and they are the ones you want to help you sort out.
Post a Reply
00abuse
|
|
Lekitanin
8/9/2016 13:03 EST
@emiliaromagna - I do not feel and did not say that anyone owns anyone any explanations.
Since this is a public forum and discussion board so to speak I do not see any harm by asking any question.
Obviously you perceive this in a different way, judging by your own elaborate explanation. Which is of course fine and welcome.
Lekitanin
Post a Reply
00abuse
|
|
emiliaromagna
8/9/2016 14:20 EST
Lekitanin : I fully agree, there's no harm in asking questions, that is the purpose of the forum. And yes, you did ask a question, well, just asking 'why' is a bit 'thin' if I may say so. You asked a one-word question and then followed up with your (unsolicited) 'advice' . My two cents are : hundreds if not thousands of expats connect all over the world on a daily basis for whatever reason. A stranger asking another stranger 'why' and then putting them on the spot may not be such a good idea.
Post a Reply
00abuse
|
|
Jodies25
8/11/2016 15:18 EST
I am moving to Paris from California Monday. If you are in Paris let me know.
Post a Reply
01abuse
|
|
Jodies25
8/11/2016 15:18 EST
I am moving to Paris from California Monday. If you are in Paris let me know.
Post a Reply
01abuse
|
|
OldPro
8/14/2016 12:05 EST
Actually, asking 'why' is a good question in my opinion. It is the basis for starting a discussion that will lead to relevant advise.
For example, if what you are looking for Stevenstruck is advice on the PROCESS of immigration, then I would advise you to address your questions to those who, 'are in the process of or have just recently completed the process of moving'. While it might seem that someone who moved 5 years ago could give you the same answers, it is in fact entirely possible that their information is out of date as changes can have occurred in the meantime.
If on the other hand, what you are looking for is input on, 'what is it really like to live in X', then I would advise you to direct your questions to those who have lived there for at least 5 years. Those who have been there for less than 5 years may THINK they know the answer but in fact do not.
Asking 'why' can also lead to discussion of what you are looking for. People who have lived in other countries for longer periods of time will all recognize the different categories of foreigners (that's us) who move to a country. There are the well known 'enclaves' of people from another country who want to live within a small version of home to as great a degree as possible vs. those who want to integrate into the local culture for example. There are those who are moving to retire vs. those who are moving to work. They have different needs and outlooks from each other. Answering 'why' helps to clarify these kinds of things and helps you get more relevant answers.
While I recognize that the 'why' being asked in isolation may seem abrupt, I can also recognize that someone who has seen and responded to the same general, 'I wanna meet expats' question countless times, can sometimes get a bit frustrated at the lack of information provided by a new poster as to 'why' they want to meet them.
'Why' is the starting point to a discussion that can lead you to asking and getting answers to the questions you should be asking but simply don't know enough yet to know you should ask.
So 'why' Stevenstruck do you want to connect with expats? What is it specifically that you expect to get out of connecting with them? Without the answer to that question, NO ONE can actually be sure the answers they give you are really the answers you need.
It's very easy to give someone who asks for directions to the edge of a cliff, what they asked for. But it is far wiser to first ask them 'why' they want to go there and the answer to that question may well change the advice given considerably.
Post a Reply
20abuse
|
|
Lekitanin
8/14/2016 21:10 EST
How refreshing is for a change to see someone broadcasting at the same wave lenght!
Lekitanin
Post a Reply
00abuse
|
|
|
|
