Expat Life Archives - Américaine in France

Common American Food Combos That Might Shock the French

Two pieces of bread on a plate, one with jelly and one with peanut butter

Compared to the French, Americans aren’t exactly well known for their culinary prowess. I have a feeling that this list of somewhat questionable food combos isn’t working in our favor…

Tax Declarations in France Versus the United States: 3 Major Differences

Tax declaration forms laid out in front of a cup of coffee

Wondering what it’s like to file your taxes in France? Here’s how filing taxes in France compares to doing your tax declaration in the United States.

3 Things Americans Abroad Should Do Every Year

Two American women abroad in Scotland, visiting Glenco Lochan, facing the lake with backs to the camera

Are you a U.S. citizen living abroad? I bet you haven’t taken care of all three of these things.

Pros & Cons of the French Healthcare System

Doctor's supplies: stethoscope, pills, scissors, and tape on a table

France’s healthcare system is regularly touted as one of the best in the world. Is healthcare in France really so great or is the universal public insurance clouding our judgment? Let’s take a look at the pros and cons!

Culture Shock: Pregnant in France Edition

Navigating pregnancy and childbirth in France was quite the adventure! Here are some things that surprised me about my pregnancy experience as an American abroad.

7 Everyday Things in France That Feel Like a Luxury

aerial view of two coffees, two glasses of water, and a pain au chocolat on a white marble table on a terrace in Paris

France may be synonymous with many big luxury brands like Louis Vuitton, Cartier, and Moët & Chandon, but I think it’s the simpler things that make life in France seem luxurious. Here are some everyday things in France that feel like a luxury to me as an American from the United States.

How to Organize Your French Pregnancy Binder

colored divider tabs sticking out of semi transparent binder with two paperclips and a mechanical pencil off to the side

If you’ve been living in France for a while, it’ll come as no surprise to you that there is a substantial amount of paperwork to keep track of during a pregnancy. Early on, my midwife recommended organizing all of my test results, prescriptions, ultrasounds, etc. into separate file folders or a binder. Here’s how you can organize your dossier médical de grossesse.

10 Little Ways Paris Has Changed in the Past 15 Years

Two lattes in cups on saucers, side by side on a wooden table in a café in Paris with a view out the window of a rainy day

I first lived in Paris in 2009 as an undergraduate student. Since then, I’ve traveled to and stayed in the capital multiple times before calling the city my home a few years ago. It’s been interesting to see firsthand how Paris has evolved over time. Here’s a list of some little changes that have stood out to me over the course of the last 15 years.

Pregnant in France: What to Do First

Photo focuses on the mid section of a woman in early pregnancy. Two hands reach around from the back to hold her belly. Her hands are placed on top of theirs.

You think you might be pregnant and you’re not sure what to do first? You might have a lot of thoughts and questions about navigating pregnancy while living in France. Let’s cover some of the basic first few steps to take!

5 Culture Shocks at the Doctor’s Office in France

Side view of female doctor's hands placed on laptop computer. Blue stethoscope on the table next to the computer.

As an American living in France, I’ve noticed many differences between healthcare in the United States and France. Going to the doctor in France is a cultural experience in and of itself. By now, I’ve been to several different types of health professionals in France, from general doctors to specialists. Here are some culture shocks I’ve personally experienced at the doctor’s office in France.

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