Category: TAPIF & Au Pair 1
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Le Havre, France

After a stressful week, sometimes, you just need to get away from the pressure and spend a few days somewhere different. Thankfully, I have friends in other parts of France who will quickly welcome me to spend a spontaneous weekend with them in their city. My friend Riana is doing TAPIF in Le Havre, which…
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Holiday Travel Misadventures

Heading home for the holidays is reminiscent of a few key things: quality time with family and friends, relaxation and comfort, good food and drinks, and, of course, travel stress. While the first few aspects are wonderful, sometimes, the stress that comes from the process of getting home and back can overshadow them a bit.…
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Packing for a Long-Haul Flight

I’m heading home for the Vacances de Noël today! Since I will only be in the United States for about 10 days during this trip and have adequate wardrobes in both France and the U.S., I wasn’t too concerned about packing for my visit. That being said, I will be traveling for almost 20 hours…
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Christmastime in Paris

It truly is the most wonderful time of the year… Especially when you live in Paris! Lights, markets, garlands, and window decor galore line and dot small and large neighborhoods alike all over the city and into the suburbs. Needless to say, it’s absolutely gorgeous, and some would even say it’s magical. Christmastime is one…
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Brussels, Belgium Day Trip

What can I say… I caught the travel bug again! During my trip to Brussels, I finally crossed off my 15th country, and I also enjoyed numerous sights, new experiences, and foods galore. The plan that began as a girls’ weekend in London with my au pair friends quickly turned into a solo trip to…
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Frenchified Thanksgiving Traditions

Thanksgiving is one of the most American holidays you can possibly think of, so being in another country can make it feel strange and even a bit difficult to celebrate. This isn’t the first time I have spent Thanksgiving in France, of course, as I also enjoyed Thanksgiving in Paris in 2018. This year, however,…
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First 4 Weeks of TAPIF

I have been living in Paris for nearly three months now, so naturally, my first four weeks of TAPIF, the Teaching Assistant Program in France, have just come to an end. Technically, my work contract began on October 1, but I spent some time doing orientation and class observations, and then I had a two…
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Escape to the Château de Versailles

Just a short train ride away from Paris is one of the true crown jewels of the region, the Château de Versailles. Also known as the Palace of Versailles, this structure holds a rich cultural and historical significance. Plus, it’s absolutely gorgeous! During a simple afternoon or day trip from Paris to the Château de…


