For many expats, the idea of moving to France starts as a dream. A dream of living in Paris, building a career abroad, and experiencing life in one of the world’s most iconic cities. But as anyone who has navigated French administration knows, the path to living and working in France is rarely straightforward.
Jenna’s story is a good reminder of something many future expats eventually discover: moving to France often requires patience, persistence, and the ability to adapt when plans don’t go exactly as expected. Today, she lives in Paris and teaches in an international school. But the journey to get there included unexpected obstacles, including a visa denial that nearly ended her plans before they began.
For anyone dreaming of building a life in France, her experience offers both reassurance and practical insight.
From a Childhood Dream to Teaching Abroad
Some careers start with careful planning. Others begin much earlier. For Jenna, teaching had always been the goal. Long before she moved abroad, she already knew she wanted to work in education.
After completing her teaching qualifications in the United States, she started exploring opportunities outside her home country. International education systems fascinated her, and teaching abroad seemed like a natural extension of that curiosity.
Her first move took her to Germany, where she spent several years teaching in Munich. Living and working in Europe offered the kind of cultural exposure and professional experience that many teachers seek when they decide to take their careers internationally.
But eventually, like many expats in their twenties, she felt ready for a new chapter.
Paris was next on the list.
Finding Work in France as a Teacher
Teaching in France as a foreigner is possible, but it often depends on the type of school.
Public schools typically require French teaching qualifications and fluency in the language. Private and bilingual schools, however, frequently hire international teachers, particularly for English-language programs.
Paris, with its large number of international families and bilingual institutions, offers more opportunities than most other cities in France.
After applying to several schools across Europe, Jenna eventually secured interviews with multiple schools in Paris. Bilingual schools often value native English speakers, especially for early education programs where language immersion is a key part of the curriculum.
Everything seemed to be falling into place, until it wasn’t.
When the Visa Doesn’t Go Through
One of the biggest misconceptions about moving to France is that finding a job automatically guarantees a work visa. In reality, the process can be more complicated.
Even with a job offer and employer sponsorship, the visa application can still be refused. And when that happens, it can disrupt plans overnight.
That’s exactly what happened in Jenna’s case. After months of interviews and preparation, the school that had offered her a position informed her that the work visa had been denied. At that point, she had already begun preparing for life in Paris. She had invested time and money into learning French, told friends about the move, and mentally committed to the next chapter of her life.
Suddenly, everything was uncertain again.
Persistence Pays Off
Visa denials can feel like the end of the road. But in many cases, they’re just a detour. Instead of abandoning the idea of moving to France, Jenna did what many successful expats eventually learn to do: she started applying again.
She expanded her search, applied to more schools, and stayed open to opportunities that weren’t necessarily her first choice. Eventually, a new position appeared, a teaching role covering maternity leave at another school in Paris. It wasn’t the original job she had imagined, but it turned out to be the opportunity that finally brought her to France.
Looking back, it became one of those moments many expats recognise: the setback that ultimately leads to the right opportunity.
What Teaching in Paris Is Actually Like
Teaching abroad often sounds glamorous from the outside, but the reality is more familiar than many people expect. At its core, a classroom in Paris looks a lot like a classroom anywhere else: a group of students with different personalities, backgrounds, and learning styles.
What makes it unique is the international environment.
In bilingual schools, students often speak multiple languages at home. Some children may grow up with English and French simultaneously, while others are learning both as second languages.
For teachers, that creates a multicultural classroom environment that can be both challenging and rewarding. The curriculum also follows the French education system, which means adapting to different structures, terminology, and expectations compared to American schools.
The Reality of Expat Life in Paris
Of course, working in Paris isn’t just about the classroom. Like many expats, Jenna discovered that living in one of the world’s most famous cities comes with its own set of adjustments.
Paris is exciting, beautiful, and culturally rich, but it can also be expensive. Salaries in France are often lower than in the United States, especially in fields like education. Managing rent and everyday expenses requires careful budgeting.
Many expats find creative ways to adapt, from second jobs to embracing second-hand shopping, flea markets, and the slower, more resourceful lifestyle that Paris encourages. At the same time, the city offers something unique: an environment where history, culture, and everyday life intersect constantly.
For many expats, that balance makes the challenges worthwhile.
Why Community Matters When Moving Abroad
One of the most important elements of building a life abroad isn’t administrative, it’s social.
Relocating to a new country can feel isolating at first. Language barriers, cultural differences, and distance from family all play a role. That’s why expat communities are so valuable.
Online groups, professional networks, and friendships with colleagues often become the support systems that help new arrivals settle in. In many cases, they’re also how people build their closest friendships in a new city.
For teachers, connecting with others in the same profession can be especially important. Sharing experiences, advice, and the occasional post-work drink can make the challenges of expat life much easier to navigate.
Lessons for Future Expats
If Jenna’s story highlights one key lesson, it’s this:
- Moving to France rarely happens in a straight line.
- Visas can be complicated. Job offers can fall through. Plans can change unexpectedly.
- But persistence matters.
- Many expats who successfully build lives in France have similar stories — moments when the move almost didn’t happen.
Thinking About Moving to France?
Teaching is just one of many paths that bring international professionals to France. But the broader lesson applies to almost anyone planning a relocation. Preparation, flexibility, and persistence make a huge difference.
If you’re considering a move to France, whether for work, lifestyle, or family reasons, understanding the process early can help you avoid costly mistakes and unnecessary stress. And sometimes, as Jenna’s journey shows, the path that finally works out may not be the one you expected at the start.
👉 Watch the full interview below to hear Jenna’s full story and her experience teaching in Paris.
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