DrBert

Evening all. As per the title, just signed up as I'm considering a couple of opportunities abroad - one being Dubai, (not so sure - don't think the cash would justify the move..) and the other Lyon.

So, I rather think I'll be posting here a fair bit while I contemplate the possibility. I guess one of the first things I need to think about is that my French isn't actually all that good - I can just about get by finding my way around, shopping, ordering a beer, but that's it. I won't need French in the role there, but I'd hate to not be able to get by far better than I feel I could now and I think there is only so much I can do with podcasts..

I know a couple of people in the area, and have made a dozen or so trips there in the last couple of years, so thats going to help. I'm not under any huge time pressure so have a bit of time to sign up to some classes in the UK, but its still daunting..

Sue

Hi DrBert,

I am not in France (I in the US) but I wanted to stop by and welcome you to the site. I hope that you enjoy being a member.

Regards

Sue

dennerlymum

Hello from France then. Sorry it is not Lyon, but Toulouse, but I am well able to answer any general questions on living in France, as are many of the lovely people on this site. You are right to think you will need a certain level of french to cope and then to integrate. I do know Brits here who speak no french, but then Toulouse has a big expat community due to airbus, but even for them it is not really very easy.
After that, just come on and ask anything you need to know; or you could use the search facility for the forum, which I find very useful and avoids us repeating ourselves with every new member!
Anyway, good luck with the plans

suninspired

Hi DrBert. Welcome. I can highly recommend Michel Thomas's French courses to improve your French. I received the tip from others on this forum and have to say I'm ecstatic with the series - didn't realise how easy it could be to learn French (and I'm not a youngster). You can get the MT CDs from amazon.

SarahandMartin

I have to agree, I am moving to france in 4 weeks and Michel Thomas's French CD's have helped me so much. I really cannot reccommend them highly enough - fantastic!

DrBert

Thanks. Already have Michel Thomas's French course and found it to be fantastic - such an intuitive way to approach learning a language. As with any course though, it only takes you so far. What I'm missing is real conversational practice which will most easily come with being in country..

suninspired

Know exactly how you feel (stuck here in Canada).
Can't wait for the immersion!

midwestowl

Good luck with the choices coming up, the language will come if you decide Lyon is for you I'm sure, we've only been here since the turn of the year and my shrugging's coming on in leaps and bounds.
Seriously if you're ready for conversations you're way ahead, I listen to the CD's we've got and know a few phrases, its when I get the replies and new questions that I feel like a newborn..
its me !
But keep posting all the questions you have as I know I'll be reading the answers as well

Roger O

Not about language.. that'll come fully only when you're over here - but Lyon is a good choice from the point of view of France.
You've got the third French airport hub (2 airports LYS and EBU) one for scheduled "national airline" carriers and the other for lowcost and charter operations.
The coice of both sides of the French Med - Provence-Côte d'Azur and Languedoc-Roussillon, neither too far!
The choice of some of the best ski resorts to the north east also not too far..
Switzerland (Geneva-Lausanne-Montreux, etc.)

And... Lyon is also a big culture and culinary hub!!
Guess you've heard of Bocuse?
http://www.bocuse.fr/accueil.aspx
http://www.worldtravelguide.net/city...rope/Lyon.html
(Well, I guess you know all that already..)

We (our office gang) used to fly down to Lyon regularly when I was with Swissair IT in Zürich years ago to partake of culinary weekends (!!)
Later 1994-2003 while working in Sophia Antipolos we used Nice..

(Having said that, now living very near Carcassonne, we go to Toulouse whenever we feel like "larger city delights"!!)

Choose France for variety and accessibility!!
Best of luck!
Roger

DrBert

Thanks..

I know Lyon reasonably well having worked there in a similar role to my UK role with a partner organisation for a couple of years. I've spent some time there outside of work and travelled around the area a little and as I already know a couple of people there, I think I'd settle reasonably well. Language would be an issue, but as you said, it will come in time..

Currently juggling two very different opportunities in very different places, (Dubai is also an option) and having never worked overseas for more than a week long trip at a time, I've a lot to think about..

Roger O

You don't mention whether you are single, married, married with children and if so of what age. This must surely be a determining factor?
Not easy for women and girls - though DXB is about the most open of ME destinations! Not easy either to be surrounded by the glitz and "rivers of wealth" in a place like Dubai then have to return to the "humdrum" of EU life!

My wife (bretonne) grew up in Equatorial Africa and later in Syria and Lebanon as her father was area sales manager for Michelin in those places.
Being used to having assigned servants at home (not even by choice but by law!) gives young people a definitely different attitude to life at an impressionable age which can make it hard to readapt to "normal" like later.

DrBert

Good point, I didn't mention whether I was single or not, guess thats because I'm so used to thinking about just me, it didn't even strike me to mention..

So, single, no kids, just turned 40. I've got family in the UK and friends all over the place, but no real roots.

I'm in the incredibly lucky position of basically having two organisations prepared to make a position for me, neither one of which is 100% right for me, but both elements of what I do, (and have a pretty good track record in, hence the situation).

Either looks interesting, and both would be a good move - especially as I'm currently sat in my office in the UK on a wet Saturday afternoon when I am supposed to be in Avoriaz with friends..

Roger O

Could you describe what you would consider to be 100% right for you -to help decide - or find a third way?

From the clues given, you're obviously a specialist in some corporate sought-after field, though in which one I'm not sure.

Having been one myself in what used to be called "Airline Teletype processes" but could be more accurately described as Airline inter-electronic system notification techniques and protocols, of which there were usually only one or two specialists per airline, I sense in you a similarity, but in your own field? This speciality, which I acquired by a fortunate combination of circumstances and study was what enabled me, in 1994, to cross over (at age 56!) after 23 years with Swissair, well before before its decline, to Amadeus just starting its massive expansion into the worldwide airline and travel company systems provider it is today - up until my retirement in 2003.
http://www.amadeus.com/amadeus/amadeus.html

I mention this because you seem at a crossroads and the next step could be "the one" which determines your enduring success in your particular field.

(Hope I'm not being "too heavy"!)

Lastly, I wonder why I picture you somewhat like the man in the photo??
http://www.amadeus.com/corporations/CFOwp

DrBert

The suit, tie and confused look are about right it has to be said..

You are right about the uniqueness of what I do, but it would take a while to get into detail, plus it would be at best rather tricky for me at my current company if I were to be known to be even looking elsewhere. So, I have been a little vague as I know at least one other colleague who has started to show an interest in a move, quite possibly overseas. If I found this forum, they could too..

In reality, I wasn't even looking to move until I'd purely by chance mentioned to a couple of contacts that I'd been approached by a headhunter about another role, (completely unsuitable).

My current role is a mixture of project/programme management and consultancy, (each has an element of the other obviously, but that's the simplest division), in a slightly unsual context. One of the oportunities would be almost exclusively line/project management, the other externally facing consultancy.

So, I have two opportunities that I think I could do well, in two very different places. If it turned out that one fell through, I don't think I'd have any issues following up the other. Similarly, if I could grow either into a hybrid role that would be great too. For the moment, I'm hunting for as much information as I can get so I could make an informed decision about the location element of the decision. I don't think that would be the deal breaker, but I'm going to need to be happy and at least put down some temporary roots in whichever place.

I'm considerably more fortunate than some though; lot of people I know have had a very bad time economically of late. I just happen to be doign the right thing at the right time..

Roger O

Well, if you really can't make up your mind, there are surely some appropriate opportunities in one of the many global companies in Sophia Antipolis and you have the whole Côte d'Azur (plus Monaco!) as playground. The salaries are very good there too, especially for France!!
Check through the company listings!!
http://www.sophia-antipolis.net/uk/
Some further information.
http://www.sophia-antipolis.org/GB/index3.htm

(I seem to be touting this place a lot lately, but many people looking for hi-tech and high profile jobs in France have apparently never heard of it!!)