How can an American live in Paris if they dont know the language or have a skill to use?
Ive been to Paris twice and fell in love with the city. I know unemployment there is already high and the cost of living too. I also know that getting a work visa seems to be very very hard. But I dream of living there. I want to experience it all but how?
Your biggest difficulty is going to be getting the carte de sejour (like a green card) because like other countries, they probably don’t want people coming over taking jobs.
You could however find a job as a barman or teaching english pretty easily. I think the best bet is to send your resume to different english "schools" and explain that you want to come over. Set up a 2 week time frame to do interviews and the such and come over to visit Paris again to really see if the place is for you. What you want is a CDI (which is like a full time contract without an end date), don’t settle for less otherwise renting a flat will be impossible.
Other companies hire english speakers to do telephone work and IT help lines etc. Try the fusac.com (or .fr)for a few examples.
I would say it is important to try to work for a french company and not an English one, as french companies have favorible benefits (more days off, health care etc).
However, the fact that you don’t have the carte de sejour doesn’t play in your favor. Unless you find a good company that is interested in bringing you over and doing all the paper work.
Just because you have a job doesn’t mean you will make a good living (pretty much subtract the US salary by 40% )however but it should be enough to survive,to have a place (you should look for one with a roommate to have a bigger flat and share the rent), to learn french and have a wonderful time in Paris.
It is certainly worth it in my honest opinion but you need to do a fair amount of research and prep before going. Call the nearest French consulate as well to find out information.
PS going as a student is easy option for the visa but you do need some cash spared away.
get a grant to study almost any subject abroad. it will pay for school and housing and maybe some money also for food etc. while you’re there you can meet other english speakers at tourist spots. make a craft or something to sell at the flea market or street corner to pickup extra cash. buy a matthew lesko book on ebay to get the info on grant money to travel
I dunno, but I bet being homeless sucks, even if it is in a beautiful city
bring a english/french dictionary with you
Well… as long as you know basic Frech you should be good. Like "bonjour" and "avoir" which is hello and good-bye. Most French people speak English. As long as you try to speak French than the French people will respond with good manner. they will help you out along the way. then you could always take a translation book with you. good luck and have fun!
Can you apply at some companies that have French operations, such as schools or collages that are for Americans? It takes a big leap and you can use your savings to go there and start scrounging for work somewhere.
Most of them speak english.
You can start by getting a Learn French CD and learning basic french.
go to a lesson at your local college. loads of places do courses in French. as for the culture, I struggled for acceptance as a former englishman, so god help you if you’re american. You just have to persevere with that and try and talk to people who you know and work with. And just keep trying with that visa if a study one wont do you. And its not that hard to get a job if youre reasonably bright.