Waging a battle against embitterment since 2008

expats are people too

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You don't live where you were from any more. But you're still totally awesome.

Members: 8
Latest Activity: Feb 26, 2012

Started by Jessica. Last reply by Sarah Feb 2, 2009.

Started by ingrid. Last reply by ingrid Jan 29, 2009.

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Comment by ingrid on January 25, 2009 at 2:45pm: :) It's funny, because I grew up in a bilingual city (Ottawa) with a bilingual requirement at university... took French for maaaany years, and yet it turns out most dutch people (who have to take it for only 3 years in school) speak incredibly well. It makes me bitter but also wondering what Canadians are doing wrong with their language education.

:) I've been here 8 years. (OMG) It doesn't feel that long at all.

Where in France do you live?

Comment by Sassy on January 25, 2009 at 2:42pm: How long have you been there? Good for you for not giving up with the Neerlandais!

When I was there, I often cheated, I'm very tall, have a bit of a Dutch build, and my maiden name is even Dutch, so someties just by being quiet I could get them to let their guard down, and then move in for the kill. I've forgotten most of my Dutch now, but it sure wwas fin to learn. Needless to say, the French are quite lazy with languages, so I've been able to dive in deep here...

Comment by ingrid on January 25, 2009 at 2:09pm: Absolutely. Until you reach a good enough level of dutch (which i've finally managed) ... people respond in english since it is easier. But it isn't really possible to function at work or shop without a good grasp of the language.

Comment by Sassy on January 25, 2009 at 1:32pm: Ingrid - one thing I noticed from my tie in Holland that the Dutch are generally so good with English that it makes it hard to learn their language! Do you find this to be a barrier?

Comment by ingrid on January 25, 2009 at 12:19pm: Jessica: I'm still learning. I can "get by" but not completely comfortably. I'm taking an intensive course right now to rectify that. I would love love love to be fluent.

Comment by Sassy on January 25, 2009 at 10:46am: Jessica, I'm in France, and after 7 years here, can safely say that I'm fluent... in fact, I don't speak English very often at all... except over the internet & when calling/emailing friends and family back home. In fact, I have an easier time speaking French these days than English, since I don't have to work so hard searching for words...

Comment by Jessica on January 25, 2009 at 4:26am: Oh, and Thanks, Ingrid! :)

Comment by Jessica on January 25, 2009 at 4:26am: So- for those of you who didn't just from one English speaking country to another (not to underestimate the challenges of moving from Canada to TX)- how difficult has it been to become fluent in your new country? Has that been the biggest challenge?

I'll start- I'm slowly learning Norwegian and I understand a lot more than I can speak. For me, the language has been the biggest challenge.

Comment by ingrid on January 25, 2009 at 3:28am: Welcome Jessica!

Sassy: I do. Actually I'm in the middle of an intensive course. I may not end up talking like a native, but I'll be a lot more fluent than I am now. :)

Comment by Sassy on January 24, 2009 at 10:56am: Terra : Yeah, Austin is fun. My friends there think soetimes that y life must be glamourous in the south of France, but I have to tell the that no, I live in the middle of nowhere !

Ingrid : Do you speak any Dutch? I had fun trying to pick some up when I was there.