A step to the unknown

Have you ever wondered how it was to move to a place with a language and culture different than your own?
If you do, you are a proud member of the millions of expats around the world. Looking for a new professional challenge, I decided to move to France. Although my home country is within 2 hours by plane, it was a big change deciding to leave my job, family and friends and take the step towards the unknown.

I have been in France before, as a 10 year old child visiting Disneyland and also in 2012 and 2014 as a tourist in Paris. But living on the "banlieues" (suburbs) as a 26 year-old is a different story - being here for only about a week I can't give accurate reports. But what I do know is:

• The 93 has a really bad reputation. And I happen to work and live there. I have close family living here for over 3 years and never had a problem (excepting a break-in when the house was empty);
• There are lots of expats (and I mean, a lot!)
• The language barrier is the main handicap at this point.

Speaking a Romance language derived from latin was a big help when studying French. But French in its oral and written form are very different. People here speak it in a hurry, mixing and joining multiple words. For someone who has had a basic training, it poses quite a challenge. As a dentist, I'm required to speak and explain several procedures - it's going to be fun!