It's around this time of year, every year since our arrival in France in fact, that Les Enfoirés make their appearance on our TV screens. Each year these fifty or so celebrities tour the nation with a show to raise money for the national soup-kitchen charity Restos du Cœur (Restaurants of the heart). All very admirable. [...]
At the moment I'm not experiencing that euphoria, that Friday feeling, when the weekend looms large as it does today. This is partly due to the fact that the weekend usually involves just as much work around the house as it does in the office during the week, but is primarily related to the fact that I have recently become an English teacher. I teach 2 hours on Friday afternoons and 4 hours on Monday morning (starting at 8am). Which does tend to put a dampener on my weekends. This was not by design of course, it just so happens that that's the way the timetable has worked out. Although I am now a self-proclaimed "Professor of English", at the school where I teach, the only thing that qualifies me for this noble title - is my mother tongue, nationality and a bit of lecturing experience. If my students ever complain about my methods then I can say in my defence that I never planned to become a teacher in the first place, and I never said I was [...]
I sometimes get these pleas for help from soon-to-be ex-pats. Today, I received this one from Dave (below). As ever, I'm happy to offer advice wherever I can, however if you there's anything you think you can add (particularly the part about rights for US citizens in France) - then please chip-in using the comments form underneath. Hello, My name is Dave and I am a US citizen married to a German citizen. I spent time in Strasbourg when I was in the Army and loved it. We have a 2 yr old and a second little one due any day now. We are thinking seriously about moving from US to Strasbourg. We have a lot of questions but most interested in finding work and housing along with VISA status (restrictions, limitations for each type etc.). What would you suggest is a good placed to start our search? Any information or links would be helpful. Wondering if my wife's EU Passport would make it easier to move there? I speak English and Spanish and my wife speaks English and [...]