Great Hikes Near Montpellier, France
“So far, the hikes around Montpellier have not disappointed. There is a great range too, from leisurely walks to challenging and technical routes.” Continue Reading
To The Millennial Abroad, France is… home. Since 2018, I have lived in this country, learned its language, and (sort of) learned how to “be French.” As an American, living here has been extremely eye-opening, for a number of reasons.
Although France and the US are historically exceptionally close allies, the countries are often exasperated by one another. Many Americans find the French to be rude, inefficient, and snobby, while the French often find Americans alarmingly loud, abrupt, and nosy.
As an American who spent the formative years of my young adulthood being shaped by French and US expat culture alike, I have a unique view on many things pertaining to American culture as it relates to the French. For example, living and working in the US to me is now an almost-inconceivable idea because I simply cannot fathom living in a country where affordable, universal healthcare is not considered a basic human right. Moreover, the role that money plays in everything from personal life to political influence is, quite frankly, obscene.
I am also intrigued by the difference in collective vs. individual mentality. The French are exceptionally community-minded, though they are not necessarily warm and personal people. They are polite, and they take note of and care for their neighbors. They generally act in the spirit of goodwill for the group rather than themselves. Americans, on the other hand, hold a dog-eat-dog mentality that is inextricable from the fundamental lack of health and safety that comes from living in the country. I get it, and yet, again, cannot imagine living there. So welcome to France, from my perspective. I hope you find the information useful and thought-provoking in equal measure.
“So far, the hikes around Montpellier have not disappointed. There is a great range too, from leisurely walks to challenging and technical routes.” Continue Reading
Life in France happens in French, even if you’re in Paris. Here’s how you can come in ready to hit the ground running.Continue Reading
“Back in the fall, I wrote about how I found a job in France. I remember exactly how I felt when writing it – proud, and excited to start working hard… Two months later, my contract got cut.”Continue Reading
I’d never really considered that the croissant might not actually have originated in France. The golden, flaky pastry softened by layers of butter is practically the national symbol of this country, after all. But, lo and behold, this iconic pastry actually hails from further east – Vienna, Austria, to be exact. Continue Reading
I absolutely detest feeling uncertain, which might surprise some people given my wanderlust-y-seeming lifestyle. For me, the feeling of uncertainty has always bred the question: what else could I be doing?Continue Reading
Hi! I'm a current US expat and longtime traveler based in Strasbourg, France. I'm here because I fell in love with a Frenchie, and I think and write a lot about the identity implications of loving someone so much that you make lasting changes for them. But that's just part of my story. I have deep backpacker-adventure roots and love hiking and sports, including running, horseback riding, and soccer. In recent years, I've also developed a taste for slow city travel and never take for granted an opportunity to explore a new place and indulge in a delicious meal. Finally, I am also an enormous animal enthusiast and adore opportunities to safely and responsibly interact with them. Nothing puts this complex and beautiful world we all share more into perspective than being in nature.