Follow Anthony from Australia to England

Introduce yourself. I'm Anthony Jospin, currently working as a bar tender & waiter in London but I am looking for a position in Marketing & Management. I love photography, movies and travelling.

Why and when did you make the decision to go abroad? I made the decision to go abroad right after I passed a two-year technical degree in communication. I needed to get a study break, I decided to go to Australia for one year. I finally stayed three years over there. Ahahaha!!

What advice would you give to someone who wants to travel to this country? I lived 3 years in Australia, then I moved from Australia to New York (I worked one year there). Now I am here working in England. The best advice would be, don’t be afraid to speak with people. You are not good at English? Who cares? People will be more than happy to help you and correct you when you say something wrong. People abroad don’t judge as easily as people do in France.

What do you like about this country? Australia is the best place to live. What did I like about Australia???? I would say everything!!!!!

How did you learn to speak English? At school but it does not really count. The best way is to learn English in an English speaking country because then, you realize that we still have to do few improvements within our educational system.

It is often heard that French people are bad at English. How would you react to this statement? We are not bad at English. I have met French people who are just incredible!!! It’s just a question of how lazy you are when you learn a new language.

Is there anything that would make you come back to France? Absolutely nothing. Oh wait!!!! Yeah one thing, a good baguette and a slice of cheese made in France.

Is there a blog or a website where we can find you? http://ajospin.wix.com/anthonyjospin

Anything to add? Travelling can change you forever!!!! Are you ready to change?

[INTERVIEW] Meet Lixi, chef in London since 2010

Introduce yourself Hello, I’m Lixi Lineas, 26, originally from Sucy-en-Brie. I work as a chef in London since 2010 but my adventure in that country started in 2008. I have got plenty of hobbies but I’m quite busy, so the only thing I can really do is listening to music.


Why and when did you make the decision to go abroad? I chose to live in Great Britain because France did not provide me enough satisfaction regarding my expectations when I was a young and motivated worker. Also, the perspective of having a good career was quasi inexistent for me there. I was tired of the lack of open-mindedness. However, I don’t want to say that France it’s a bad country to live in. I’m happy to know that it suits others. For people with different expectations, France is the place to be. When I was in France, I had a comfortable situation, a good salary, a nice car and a beautiful girlfriend. I left everything to move to London.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to travel to this country? First, I would advise to prepare that new life. Be sure to have enough skills and confidence to live there. In fact, London can be Heaven one day and Hell the next day. Secondly, keep in mind that nothing it’s impossible. Finally, you better have money in your pocket because London is very expensive.

What do you like about this country? Why do I like London? Well, it’s amazing, you live with no limit, it’s like a movie in which you are the actor. I began to cook in Lodon then went to France to attend a catering school. Today I am working with the best French chef in town and even won a Michelin star. All this would have never happened in France for sure.

How did you learn to speak English? I learnt English by doing, I didn’t know a sentence in English at all, then I decided to improve it step by step, for me music and movies and also my ex-girlfriend who speaks English very well helped me a lot. I took me about 2 years. I understand that speaking English is a vital, it's a passport to the whole world. I can go anywhere I want because I speak English.. I avoided French people as close friends to improve my English.

It is often heard that French people are bad at English. How would you react to this statement? I have no particular reaction to the French people inability to speak English, because I was like them before. They will improve it,  in a fast or slow way, when it is necessary.

Is there a blog or a website where we can find you? You can find me on Facebook as Lixi Lineas.

Anything to add? I would like to add one thing: go wherever you want to go, explore the continents, China, Spain, Australia, USA, Mexico, Sweden, Russia. Sky’s the limit.

Meet Yann, recently graduated in business information systems management, living in Newcastle

Introduce yourself I am Yann Mualu, currently student at Northumbria University. I have been living in England for 3 years now, but not in a row, I have spent a year working in France after the completion of my Bachelor. Then I came back to complete two Masters in Newcastle and I am now looking for a job. Newcastle is a nice city for a student, we can go and see matches (Newcastle and Sunderland), go to the beach (when It is not too cold). The city has lots of activities to entertain students.

Why and when did you make the decision to go abroad? After the completion of my bachelor, I found a job quick enough back in France. However, the fact that they did not considered my Bachelor but my DUT bothered me. A friend was in the same situation and told me about Newcastle. We were really bored in France; we needed a new environment to perform in our studies, to boost us. England was perfect not too far and not too fare from France. The English mentality seduced us as well.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to travel to this country? Do not be afraid, England is less than two hours away from France but you can live a different experience from France. First thing first, come beforehand to choose a place to live, it is better to found a house share so you can socialize more easily. Opening a bank account here does not involve lots of paper work, having a mobile phone with a contract too. Do not take landlines phones, it is a bad deal. Visit the town and try to know the best places for the nightlife, this way you might socialize with people you encountered at school or at work.

What do you like about this country? People are not as formal as they are in France. For example: in France talking about money is taboo whereas here it is not. I am a young student and I like to party, here I enjoy it more than in Paris. Getting dress for a man is not as expensive as in France and we can find any clothing style. Finally, if you've got a certain university degree, good jobs are reachable and are waiting for you.

How did you learn to speak English? At college from “la 6^ieme” until my last year in DUT, I did not need any additional English lessons. However I undertook the TOEIC test before leaving for my first year in England, I scored 795. If it is below 750 maybe additional English lessons might not be a bad idea.

It is often heard that French people are bad at English. How would you react to this statement? From my experience, this statement sounds quite right. Even some French people living in English speaking countries sometimes struggle to have a long conversation in English. In France, I had the occasion to chat with students from business schools or with master, they are barely able to have a conversation in English. So yes, I would tend to think that this statement is quite right.

Is there anything that would make you come back to France? Except exceptional careers prospects … not at the moment. I mean I love France but I prefer staying in England at the moment.

Anything to add? Well, going abroad is definitely something to experience, especially in our student life when we do not have too many constraints. And whichever country you might choose, speaking English might be a life savvier since, it is learned in most of countries around the world. So go and practice it on the field or at home.

Meet Francis Dumaurier, French actor living in New York

Introduce yourself Francis Dumaurier, actor, USA, I play electric guitar and blues harmonica

Why and when did you make the decision to go abroad? As a military child, I always traveled with the family since I was born. I started traveling on my own at 16. All other details are documented in my free ebook X-PAT NY which can be downloaded at http://xpatny.free.fr

What advice would you give to someone who wants to travel to this country? If you come to stay, make sure you have a long term visa first if you do not want to live the nightmare of an illegal alien

What do you like about this country? The Freedom to reinvent myself at any age

How did you learn to speak English? First in high school, then with rock'n'roll lyrics, and finally with the help of the great ladies I met along the way.

It is often heard that French people are bad at English. How would you react to this statement? 
Never generalize. Some are great, some are mediocre … some are intelligent, some are dumb … etc. 

Is there anything that would make you come back to France? No

Is there a blog or a website where we can find you? 
http://xpatny.free.fr
www.francisdumaurier.com
www.imdb.com/name/nm0241500/