Quote:
Originally Posted by lovelyivy84
Hey Sorors and sisterfriends!
Very long time no chat, but I am checking in with specific questions!
My job (consultant) is placing me with a client in Paris. I would be working there for three months.
I am beyond excited about this, but also PETRIFIED. I am one of the few who never did a semester abroad in college. I took french for nine years, but haven't spoken it in damn near a decade!
Has anyone here worked abroad (in Paris or other locations outside the US) before? How was it? Was there a lot of antipathy towards you as an American? As a black woman? Do you have any tips or insights as to how to handle yourself? Any tips on getting an IT setup- cell? laptop? Luckily I don't have to worry about finding an apartment because the company is providing one! Do they accept Visa everywhere? I don't know what I'd do without my debit card! 
Any input is much appreciated! If you don't want to post here, you can email me at lovelyivy at mac . com
Au Revoir!
LI84 |
I have visited Paris for 1 week. Had not taken French for some years. I picked up my language skill within that week. I also kept many of my French books so I could say some basics. However, in Paris EVERYONE can speak English. They may not understand the American culture--or rather care about it, but they do speak some basics.
Also there are NUMEROUS Black people there--some are native born, some are from mainly from the Continent. The difference is I am unsure if they figured out how to do our kind of hurr there... LOL. When I was there in 1997, they hadn't a clue. Now, the French may have figured it out.
And I also got the feeling the French seem to enjoy Black Americans for strange reason--think pre-Harlem renaissance. Just be your natural self and for some reason, they enjoy you presence. I don't think that has changed.
You will have A LOT of fun there. ALL kinds of things to do there.