What Really Happens When You Move to France (or Any New Country)

Bonjour mes chères et chers (hello my dears),
Have you ever dreamed of moving to France? What does that look like in your imagination? Wearing cute outfits, roaming through the streets, eating delicious croissants and hanging out in cafés all day?
I made this video to share what I've learned and observed after moving to France a year and a half ago, and I hope it'll help you if you're thinking about relocating to France or to any country really, or if you'd just like to learn more about what it's like to live somewhere far far away. There have been lots of croissants, yes, but plenty more to discover, too.
So come check out what I've learned so far about life in l'Hexagone ! (That's a nickname for France that pays tribute to its shape.)
I really appreciate your support and comments. If you want to find me other places, I'm on Instagram @karenbussen and I have a free newsletter with French inspiration, tips, stories, recipes and more. It's a very cute community, so I hope you'll join us!
#LifeInFrance #MoveToFrance #ExpatLife #AmericansInParis #AmericansInFrance #MyExpatLife #FollowYourDreams #TravelDiaries
Substack: karenbussen.substack.com/
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Website: www.karenbussen.com/

[@fionasteinbrecht60]

Oh Karen , I know what you're talking about. I married a bavarian guy and moved to a small Dorf . Learned german , taught english and now teach german to immigramts. Have 2 gurls to help and a loving hubby. We travel everywhere Italy, France , Germany ......life is rewarding 😊

[@karenbussen]

Love this! How wonderful :-)

[@user-sj6tn7nw6b]

YOU LOOK HAPPIER AND PRETTIER THAN YOUR N.Y. PICTURES!!!! IT'S BEEN GREAT FOR YOU!!!! BEST WISHES!!!!

[@karenbussen]

Aww thank you - I am very happy and grateful 💕

[@christinaharmsen9287]

I'm really enjoying your videos. Thanks for such honest content. I am moving to La Rochelle in December with my partner and I could not be more excited! Glad to hear you talk about conflicting information though as the internet searches are confusing me the more I read. I am a EU citizen but I have never lived in EU! I am from Australia! So I have to try to sort out bank accounts, tax numbers, EHIC etc etc in Slovenia too. So it is sometimes overwhelming already but I am letting it go and trusting it will fall into place when I am there.... I hope! haha.

[@karenbussen]

Bonjour ! Thank you so much. It's good that you're starting to get organized, and I've heard La Rochelle is beautiful. Just let your excitement carry you and take deep breaths. One thing at a time and you'll get there!! Bonne continuation :-)

[@BaguetteBound]

This was a great reflection on how many things change and how strange it can feel when you settle in a new country, even when you've chosen that place. Your mention of McDonald's resonated! Its so weird, we never ate there in the states. But the day my daughter and I were feeling really homesick, that's exactly where we went. And I did feel weirdly better. 😅

[@karenbussen]

So funny, me too! Never thought I would find comfort at MacDo haha! Thanks for watching 🙂

[@elizabethglenbentley7882]

Very well described with honesty and reality. Thanks for your presentation. 😂

[@karenbussen]

Hello and thanks so much for taking the time to watch and comment. It means a lot to me and I'm so glad you found it interesting. Bon week-end de Paris ! :-)

[@michellemobakeng5938]

One thing for sure, you look a lot brighter and relaxed. It is true that it is hard to admit when moving abroad to make one's home that there are other ways of doing things. We have to admit that they can be worse. Well, it's the country's prerogative not that of the immigrant. They can also be better. However, because you are not alone it can be more bearable though, as you noted, you will have your moments of solitude, inadequacy, homesickness, etc. I love your new style. Interesting video.

[@karenbussen]

You're right, not being alone is definitely a plus :-) even if you're also right, there are times that it almost magnifies the "outsider" feeling, which is not necessarily always apparent to your friends or partner. Your point of having to open our minds that there are other ways of doing things--that is so important! Thank you for watching and for your kind words!!

[@natayakhan3929]

Hi Karen, I am so glad I have found your channel. I do enjoy your contents. Thank you so much, please keep producing these informative and inspiring vdos. 💕

[@karenbussen]

Bonjour ! Thank you so much for watching and for your sweet words. It really means everything to me, as I absolutely love France and want to share that with others who do as well...Let me know if there's anything specific you'd like to know! xoxo Karen

[@karenarocks5000]

Merci Beaucoup! I will do that. 😊

[@angielu3273]

Thanks for your insight

[@karenbussen]

Thank you for being here :-)

[@thierryf67]

good luck, best wishes for your new life.

[@karenbussen]

Merci merci !

[@karenarocks5000]

Thank you for sharing your experience. It is encouraging and helpful. I’m planning to move to Nice and its environs. The first step seems daunting. Getting health insurance. I am 60 and like most sixty year olds , I have preexisting conditions. Hopefully, Cigna will take me on but it may be tricky.

[@karenbussen]

Bonjour ! First off congrats on deciding to move to France--Nice is wonderful. And yes I know that insurance can be a difficult step, but you'll get through it! I suggest you check out some of the Facebook groups, like Americans Living the Dream in France. There are a lot of folks there who may have advice for you (and there are plenty of other groups as well). Bon courage ! It's worth the trouble :-)

[@yogisurfrunner1925]

Salut Karen! Félicitation que votre channel semble d’être prospère! J’apprecierai votre choisie du content…et vous peut voir comme votre recommendation, je suis d’immersion de français (oui meme quand possible pas correct! 😂) Merci pour vos encouragements, je suis viens d’embaucher ma premier tutor en langue francaise! Merci Beaucoup et continuez votre bon travail!!

[@karenbussen]

Salut @yogisurfrunner1925 et BRAVO BRAVO ! Tu t'es bien débrouillé ! Bonne continuation ! xoxo

[@kimkarnikaahandmadejewellery]

Your vdo showed up in my feed & the title intrigued me but am at work don't hve time to watch so leaving a comment here to thank you and to be able to find your work later bec subscription doesn't always help find vdo s tht you liked. O and am a jewellery maker subscribed to you from India. Will go check if you hve one on my country 🙏👍

[@karenbussen]

Merci ! I haven't yet been to India, but my sister is married to a Gujarati and I have produced many South Asian weddings. Thank you for stopping by and hope to see you here again !

[@kimkarnikaahandmadejewellery]

@@karenbussen o wonderful. Must be an NRI Gujarati. We got a whole bunch of them all over the world. That community is very enterprising ( but they are not very generous with people from other States of India in Gujarat for some strange reason). It's such a pleasant surprise to hear from you, learn of your Indian connections. I subscribed and hope to watch some vdo s together during the weekend. I work very long hours 6 to 8 pm running my little jewellery making enterprise, hence get little time during weekdays or mornings at this point. I love watching vdo s from all over and various genres and especially human interest ones where am actually getting to know of a real person's life and how he or she problem solved. Thanks and regards to you Karen. 🙏🍄