Teach English with TAPIF in France

I taught English in France's public school system for the 2013-2014 school year. I was a little sad about spending Christmas away from my family and having a holiday break with nothing to do since all my activities would be on hiatus.

The night before the vacation started, I asked my co-teacher what I had to prepare, and she told me just to bring myself. The next day, she brought me to the classroom to witness a grand surprise: The students had decorated the classroom, written "Merry Christmas Justine" on the board, dressed up, brought food and desserts, and chipped in money to buy me a holiday present.

They told me, in their best English, that they wanted to give me a good Christmas since I'd be away from my family. It was one of the fondest and most memorable holidays I'd ever had, and it only happened because I was experiencing the season as a foreigner.

When I arrived in France to work as an assistant English teacher at a high school in Rouen, I didn't know what to expect. Neither France nor teaching was new to me - but teaching and living in France would be a unique experience. However, I was sure that I would get adjusted to the teaching aspect of living in France.

The teaching was no problem. As for the living aspect of my French stay... things I took for granted in the United States were just a little different in France. Such as swimwear attire - I was thrown out of a public swimming pool in France because my boxer-length swimming trunks were "prohibited." As soon as I was told that, I noticed all of the other guys were wearing speedos. And of course, dealing with all the bureaucracy was frustration.

But where else can you be considered cool, work 12 hours a week, treat yourself to delicious cheese and be charmed by people with a sexy accent? As well as get kissed by cute people on the cheek. You can also protest with students at your school and be invited to hang out with them afterwards. And have plenty of time to explore a beautiful country and continent. There's only one job in one country.

I spent eight months teaching in France through TAPIF (Teaching Abroad Program in France). It was a challenging experience--I worked in a small town in the middle of no where--but one I wouldn't trade for anything.

Everyone who does this program will have a different experience. A lot of it depends on where you are placed--in a big city or a small town. It also depends a lot on if you are placed with other assistants or alone (as I was). At the beginning I was really anxious about living alone in this tiny town but it was a priceless experience, especially for developing my French. I lived with two French teachers--one of which was also new to town. My French improved dramatically over the eight months that I spent there. Another bonus of small town living is that it's cheap!! So I was able to take the generous time off (you only work 12 hours a week + there is an academic break of two weeks every six weeks) to travel and explore Europe.

Yes it was challenging. It could be hard to be alone. But I was able to do and see so much. I would definitely recommend this program, but advise prospective applicants that it's a growing experience and that it wouldn't be without certain challenges.

Besides the fact that an experience abroad will allow you to: discover a new way of living, expand your global perspective, or perhaps altogether destroy your comfort zone. You need to go abroad to discover a strength.

I was recently completing an interview and one of the questions included, "What has been your most impactful travel experience?" I didn't hesitate in saying that it has been my year in France.

Anyone who I've shared with, knows just how much of a roller coaster this year has been. When I made the decision to come to France, it was the riskiest thing I had ever decided to do. I was making a decision that would be taking me away from my family, my friends, and my way of life. It seemed like I was turning my life upside down and the scariest thing was that I didn't know if it would be worth it.

I had a good setup in Chicago but I wasn't happy. What I had before France wasn't fulfilling, otherwise I wouldn't have even filled out the application.

Compared to my previous travels, my journey to France was a solo one. I came to a country without a support system and without a set of guidelines as to what awaited me. However, I can't say that I didn't know to some extent what I was getting myself into, because not knowing what the year would bring was one of the attractions. I liked the idea of unpredictability.

And it has very much been an unpredictable year.

I would have never pegged myself as someone who got homesick, but this year has changed that. I've missed my family and friends more than I could ever express in words. I was also never a person who drew into herself, but on more than one occasion that was the case. I have been pushed beyond what I could handle, I have further understood the meaning of humility, and I've experienced isolation.

To be honest, there are many things that this year brought me face to face with that I would have never willingly put myself through. But, I also know that I have never felt stronger. This year has given me a self-assuredness that I have never possessed and I will not take that for granted.

TAPIF brought me a renewed perspective and a firm belief that I can handle anything brought before me. This program is good for anyone willing to take a solo challenge. Though you have "some" initial advising from program administration, you must be prepared to handle the unexpected on your own. TAPIF will bring you to meet people from all parts of the world who are also assistants and they will become your friends and support system. I am still in contact with the few that became my guidance for that year of surprises we endured. If you're interested in pursuing a career in education at any level, learning about a different educational system on an international level from the point of view of teachers and students is refreshing and humbling. You get to collaborate with dedicated educators who really want the best for their students and while improving your language skills.

To go abroad is to take a leap of faith. Yes, it can seem risky but the risk has the potential to yield something amazing. You're taking on a challenge that many wouldn't consider and it can allow you to become the best version of yourself.

It is going to come with unexpected struggles and some days will make you question your sanity for going in the first place. But, without a doubt it was one of the best things I could have done for myself.

Take the leap.

The TAPIF is an amazing program for people who can already speak French and who want to spend more than a semester living abroad. You need practically no teaching experience and if you've worked with kids before and are fairly independent, you'll have a great experience.

There isn't a lot of training or guidance from the program as to how to teach or what you need to do administratively/bureaucratically. I had to do a lot of research online for lesson ideas. The good news was that I worked in 2 different high schools so my students were relatively advanced and we could spend our time mostly talking or doing fun activities. I would definitely recommend working outside Paris (or larger cities) as the teachers who are the main contacts seem to be more involved with their assistants. I was lucky and had a housing option (not at the school) already lined up if I wanted it by my teacher in charge. I also got the chance to know most of the other assistants working in my city (English-speaking and non-English speaking) as well as French people my own age and I got to see parts of France that most people don't see.

I did this program twice and it truly was the best two years of my life. I ended up placed in Lorraine on the border of France and Germany in a small city (both years) at a different high school each year. I know I got lucky, because my schools offered me a very nice two-bedroom apartment for free, and reduced price meals in the cafeteria. This was pretty common in my region, though.
In my city, there were three schools with TAPIF assistants and each school had an English and German assistant, so my roommates were German both years, which was really cool. (I shared the apartment with the German-speakers.) I wouldn't say the social life was incredible if you're thinking about going out and parties and things like that, but I was close with the assistants in my city and some nearby cities and it was an opportunity to meet some of the most like-minded, awesome people from all over the world. We still keep in touch and two of them I consider best friends - we still talk all the time. I lived at the crossroads of Europe and it seemed like people were always traveling, so there are always couchsurfers, students, etc. to meet, too. I got a chance to meet a lot of people when I was travelling as well, and I visited over a dozen countries. Every two months, we had a two week paid vacation. Even when we worked, it was only 12 hours a week, so there was plenty of free time.
My experience with the locals was not overwhelmingly positive. I had some minor issues with some staff at the schools (not English teachers) not being very nice (one woman was our neighbor and complained about us a lot, and another staff in the administrative office made fun of my French). Most of the English teachers were pretty friendly, some much more than others, but I never really got close with anyone. I actually never got close with anyone French at all, but I had a lot of friends. Frankly, my German roommates and the land right across the border stole my heart, and I ended up learning German and feeling more at home there. I struggled with the bureaucracy in France, too.
Some of my students (high school level) were awful, disrespectful in class, and one group even made fun of me. But I also had wonderful students who were AMAZING and so much fun. Both were kind of on extreme ends of the spectrum though; I felt that most French teenagers just seemed awkward and nervous. I worked with several English teachers and I usually saw each group of students once a week for an hour. Every teacher had their own rules. One teacher asked me to sit in her class and assist. Another teacher or two just sent me 2-3 students for oral exams each hour, and I graded them. Most other teachers let me plan my own lessons and do whatever I wanted. It was a tremendous amount of freedom, which I almost always enjoyed, but it could also be overwhelming for someone with no teaching background/experience or uncertainty about planning lessons. I wasn't given a book or anything. I loved that though, and I took lessons in a lot of different directions. We translated a pancake recipe French --> English and cooked American food with one group; we analyzed pictures in English and talked about discrimination issues with another... it was all so much fun.
I got a decent, if modest, amount of emotional practical support from the schools. The teacher responsible for me the first year... we never clicked at all, but she was there when I needed her. The teacher next year was much warmer. Generally, I can't say anything bad because they both helped me when I needed help, and staff would try to pass on other opportunities to me (field trips I could go on, opportunities to help two hours a week at a primary school after school program, things like that). I'd also add that the US TAPIF staff person in Washington was amazing, though I never had a whole lot of regular contact with her.
I got to experience TWO different cultures and see a French school from the inside. I got to meet amazing people from everywhere. I improved my French and learned German. I made wonderful friends. I loved the opportunities to travel, and all the programs I got to participate in... I au paired in the summers, did the WWOOF program, tutored the sweetest little boy. History and culture and all kinds of amazing things were everywhere around me. I felt safer there than I ever did in the US, although I walked everywhere. I loved the food, I loved the holidays in France... I absolutely loved the whole experience, I think about these two years all the time. I am happy now, but this was really the best time in my life (so far).
I also appreciated the level of freedom. I guess some international programs have more restrictions, but we were totally on our own (travelling, coming and going, etc.). I would also add that all of this is MY personal experience, of course. I'm sure a lot depends on where you are placed, because I met or heard of a few who were in small towns with limited transportation out, schools that provided them only a dorm room, things like that. I knew a couple assistants who weren't as happy as me, but I think in most cases it was more about their personalities (easily homesick, really "American," unsure in new situations, etc.). I think if you come into the program with the "right" attitude and an open mind, you'll be happy anywhere you go. Because really, you work 12 hours a week and the rest of the time you just get to be in France. :)

While the teaching was challenging, this program is an amazing immersion experience. I got very lucky with my placement and housing, met local friends, and had the best year of my life. I loved it so much that I found a way to stay and have made my life in France for 7 years now.

I lived and worked for a year in northern France, and I continue to think of it as a greatly rewarding experience. The expectations of cultural immersion were highly beneficial for both me and the students I taught. At the end of the year, when I saw how we all rose to our challenges, it was deeply touching and satisfying. I would do it again in a heartbeat.