Q & AMoving/Living/WorkingYoung and Moving to France

Question: Hello there. I'm sure you're going to roll your eyes when you read this and think to yourself, "great, here's another naive kid who doesn't know what she's getting herself into". However, moving to France is something I need to do and am determined to make happen for myself. So, here's the deal. I plan on relocating to France in a year, (Fall 2004). One of my good friends is moving to Paris in January of '04, so by me moving there in the fall it would give him a chance to get established and therefore, be able to help me on my arrival. I guess at this point I'm just seeking information and tools that would help me get a start at planning this seemingly big change. Any information you could give me would be much appreciated. Especially on employment opportunities, living accommodations, etc. This is my description: I'm 18 years old, (will be 19 by the time I move). I'm also interested in eventually attending some kind of art or film school in France, hopefully in the near or distant future. I thank you so much for your time and for anything you can help me out with. Au revoir!

Answer: Personally I think you are going to have a difficult time making the move to France, the job market is really bad right now and finding a place to stay will not be easy. But if it's something you really want to do then go for it!! Just be prepared both financially and mentally for hard times.
If the goal is to just live in France that's easy, but if the goal is to live in France and support yourself, make friends and enjoy life, as I suspect it is then you will need to have a lot of willpower and money. The money part I think you'll understand but the willpower part you might not. Remember not only are you moving, difficult in itself but also you are moving to place with very different culture. France and the French can be complicated at times to understand and/or live with, you will need to be flexible and remember you are not on your home "turf" but on some ones else's.
Everything I have in terms of links and articles can be found in my Moving Planner.