Interning in France

I returned to France about 3 weeks ago, and I hit the ground running.  Work is *insane*.  I hear all this grumbling and panic about the European crisis, and while it is legitimate, people apparently didn't get the memo at my place of employment.  I'm not complaining at all, but this would explain my relative radio silence.

I've never really delved into it here on my blog, but I've been a recruiter in France for 2 years now.  I've worked on missions in Africa and in Europe.  It has had its ups and downs (especially when I worked on the agency side...pure madness) but overall it has been a fantastic learning experience.  But before I became a recruiter, I did several internships in France.  I didn't get them through networking or my school.  I had to roll up my sleeves and get them on my own.  And eventually one of them turned into a full-time, permanent contract complete with work papers.  Ka-CHING!

Now, I figure since I am working almost non-stop, I might as well put my professional expertise to work and write something for those of you who are looking to intern in France or know someone that is.  I can't guarantee results, and everyone's experience is different.  But, if you know how to navigate the system and what to expect, it could make things a whole heck of a lot easier for you. (Disclaimer: I am writing this from an American perspective, as this is where I am more experienced.)

Getting an internship in France...what, like it's hard?

Let's get started, shall we?

Always Keep Your Papers

Dear audience of Francophiles, I know I tend to impart wisdom about where to go eat in Paris or about common myths associated with being American or French.  You know...practical stuff.  But today, if I can give you any sort of advice on how to survive in Paris, let it be this:

Always keep your papers.

I'm not sure how it all started.  I think it happened when I was going through my papers in a frenzy one Sunday afternoon.  Since moving to Paris, my important papers have resided in folders in a backpack.  Now that I have been here for 2.5 years, the backpack is starting to bulge.  Immigration papers, payslips, assurance maladie papers, phone contracts.  I am made up of one impressive French paper trail.

London Impressions

Greetings from London!

Ladies and gents, I've had my feet on English-speaking soil for about 3 days, and am having a blast.  There is the incredible missing of the husband going on, but overall it feels kind of good to be back in a place where I can express myself freely without people scoffing at my French mistakes.  And I finally have some spice in my life...London's curry restaurants and the supermarkets have allowed me to eat my fill of spicy goodness and bring some back home for cooking in my own tiny Paris apartment.

I really like London.  Maybe that will change after frequent trips back here, but I am so enjoying the variety.  London just seems to be more open to different boutiques, different styles, different tastes than Paris.  Here, you can actually run down the street and no one looks at you like you're a crazy arse.  Clothes are colorful, shoes are sparkly and high, and the food ain't as bad as those who live across the Channel would have you believe.  Cabbies have provided hilarious conversation, and waiters work for tips.  One young guy gave me a beer tasting when I explained that in Paris...good beer was hard to come by.  Taking pity on me, he brought around several glasses of varying brews and let me have at it.  I suddenly was basking in fantastic customer service.

Office impressions are that here, people really foster professional relationships.  There are book clubs, charitable activities, on-site exercise classes, group activities that don't involve talking about work non-stop.  People actually share their personal stories and seem to care about who you are as a person.  London has a huge bike to work incentive, so you often see people zipping by on bikes after work.  These are just my first few days...but damn am I loving the honeymoon.  I still can't get over the fact that there is a nice gym here that doesn't look like you could get staph from it.  Oh and garbage bags are changed every day.  You might think that is a random detail, but just work in a place where garbage bags aren't changed on a daily basis...you'll feel me.  I will say that French workers have better benefits, but it seems like the Brits have a better work environment.

I have found some good places to eat and drink.  I will share eventually.  And in Paris, I have so much to share with you guys.  But alas, I'll have to tackle that from my home computer in gay Pair-ee.  Cheers y'all!