For many expats, France is a conscious choice. For Maralee, it felt more like France chose her. Since arriving in Paris as an au pair in 2018, the American-born writer and digital creator has built a life grounded in culture, connection, and authenticity, one that now feels more French than foreign.
A Life-Changing Host Family Experience
Maralee’s journey began with uncertainty. Like many in their early twenties, she wasn’t sure what direction to take, until a move to Paris changed everything. Living with a French host family gave her more than just a roof over her head; it gave her structure, belonging, and deep exposure to local life.
From the start, her host family treated her as one of their own, teaching her unspoken rules of French culture and easing her integration. Speaking broken French to children and being gently corrected by her host parents gave her a low-pressure environment to learn, a formative experience that shaped the rest of her life in France.
Cultural Adjustments: From Smiles to Self-Awareness
Early on, Maralee tried hard to “blend in” as a local, avoiding anything that screamed “American.” But certain habits, like smiling widely at strangers, immediately gave her away. Eventually, she embraced her identity rather than trying to mask it. Being American wasn’t something to hide, it was something to own, even in Paris.
She jokes that she has two personas: “Maralee” and “Marahlee” (the French pronunciation lovingly coined by her host kids). Each represents a different part of her identity, coexisting as she straddles two cultures.
Life as an Immigrant, Not an Expat
Maralee draws a clear line between being an expat and being an immigrant. For her, this isn’t a temporary adventure, it’s a permanent transition. She’s not here for a few years; she plans to stay, gain citizenship, and contribute to French society long-term.
That mindset informs how she navigates everything from career opportunities to cultural engagement. She’s building a life, not just living abroad.
Language Mishaps & Everyday Learning
Learning French hasn’t come without its challenges. Maralee recalls telling a child “C’est un bordel” (literally “It’s a brothel”) when trying to say “You made a mess.” Missteps like that have made her laugh and learn. Context is everything in French, and slang doesn’t always translate.
Still, she views language learning as a source of joy, not embarrassment. She’s embraced making mistakes as part of the integration process and as a way to grow more connected with her adopted home.
Shifting Perspectives on American Culture
Living in France has also changed how Maralee views her American identity. From France, she sees the U.S. more clearly, its culture of over-consumption, fast-paced lifestyles, and minimal time off stand in stark contrast to France’s emphasis on slow living and work-life balance.
In France, meals are meant to be savoured, not rushed. Coffee is sipped while seated, not guzzled on the go. Vacations are respected. And art, culture, and public spaces are valued and preserved as part of everyday life, not as afterthoughts.
Integration Through Community and Connection
One of Maralee’s most rewarding milestones has been being recognised by her neighbourhood shopkeepers. When they remembered her name and asked where she’d been after a trip, she knew she was truly part of the community. These relationships helped transform her Paris experience from transitory to personal.
Her love for French culture is also influenced by icons like Jane Birkin, a British transplant who embraced French life fully while keeping her identity intact. Maralee aspires to do the same: not just to live in France, but to become part of its cultural heartbeat.
French Habits She Can’t Give Up
Ask Maralee what French habits have stuck with her and she’ll point to slow mornings, long lunches, and thoughtful rituals. In the U.S., she was used to being at work by 8 AM. In France, she enjoys full breakfasts, early workouts, and more breathing room in her schedule.
She’s also come to appreciate the French habit of daily desserts, though these are often simple, like fruit or yogurt, not heavy sweets. Combined with walkable cities and less processed food, she believes the French lifestyle is more balanced and fulfilling.
Combating Stereotypes and Giving Back
A key mission for Maralee is dismantling stereotypes, on both sides. She challenges the cliché that French people are rude and that Americans are culturally unaware. Most of these beliefs, she says, are rooted in repetition rather than reality.
Through TikTok, Instagram, and her Substack newsletter, she uses storytelling to bridge cultural gaps and offer a nuanced, respectful portrayal of life in France as an American immigrant. By sharing her missteps, discoveries, and reflections, she hopes to create empathy and understanding between cultures.
Final Thoughts
Maralee’s story isn’t just about moving to France, it’s about alignment. On every level, emotional, physical, cultural, France feels right. From improving her mental well-being to fostering a stronger sense of self, her experience proves that sometimes the place we’re meant to be isn’t the one we’re from.
France didn’t just become her new home. It became her mirror, muse, and guide. Watch the full interview below: