Hi,

I'm looking for some advice on how to proceed! My husband has been offered a role with Airbus in Toulouse and we're really excited about the whole thing.

My main concern, other than the general massiveness of moving to a foreign country where we don't know anyone, is our kids. We've got three kids aged 11, 9 and 7 and while I'm sure in the long term it will be an amazing experience for them, I'm concerned about how to help them adjust the best. We're coming into the company, not being transferred so he international school is not n option (too expensive I'm afraid!). Does anyone know what my options will be and how I can sort this out? My children don't speak french yet I'm afraid!

Hi helenjane - I can't help with precise info, but you are not the first to move to Airbus. There are people here who can give you much better advice, hold fast. Try the Search option (top right) lots of posts there. Also try Airbus, they must have info, your situation is not unique.

Hi
This same question is asked most months.
Others will come on with advice but why don't you search the threads with either "airbus" or "Toulouse" and read what has already been posted.
Then you can come and ask further specific questions.
The search box is at the top right on the french index page.
I see cjm has just given the same advice.
Good luck

Thanks both of you, I've been having a look around and I see what you mean!!:-)

My main concern is the children, everything else will be manageable I'm sure! But I need to know that I won't be making the kids lives unbearable!

Again, you are not the first to move with children; I believe they will be greeted with warmth by schools and French youngsters. Come back when you have done your searches as Cyrian says. And, as I suggested, have you tried Airbus direct?

For the eleven year old the following is the only option (this has just been the source of a LONG discussion in English in Toulouse facebook page)

It is a 'welcome centre for non native speakers in Toulouse.. they will assess him and then place him in a CLIN unit (french language support unit) , probably in a college in Blagnac; once he has enough french he could transfer to the English 31 section of college Victor Hugo
The details of the centre are as follows
3 bis chemin Goya
31100 Toulouse
Tel : 05 61 40 81 99 / Fax:05 61 40 88 61
[email protected]
Ouverture du lundi au vendredi
de 9h00 Ã 12h00 et de 13h30 Ã 16h30
The centre is at Basso Cambo near the hippodrome on the W of Toulouse.


For the other two, you have 2 options

1. place them in a french school... they will be fine and if you want to maintain their English then place them in either English 31 or Jack in the Box on a Wednesday afternoon (Jack on facebook, E31 a google search)

2 place them in Paul Bert primaire in Colomiers where there is a CLIN and in which is based the English 31 primary section. Be warned; the school looks like Colditz but is quite good.

Dont worry too much; the move will certainly have its rocky moments, but the benefits of livingin Toulouse far outweigh the hiccups!

Thanks very much for that info dennerlymum, I find that really reassuring actually, I think we just have to jump in and give it a go! It's too good an opportunity to miss.

I've always been of the "what's the worst that can happen school?" and now seems a good time to pass it on to the kids :-)

We did that ...our daughter was 10, our son 7 when we moved: 5 years on we have 2 very happy bi-lingual children and we love our jobs (both full time now!)

It isnt always easy; but well worth it!

Well, we've made a decision and we're going to take the plunge and give it a go!

Like I said before, I think it's of good an opportunity to miss, so here goes! :-)

Good luck!! I am sure you will love it here

Good luck Helen, please let me know how it goes as myself and my family may be moving to Aude at the end of the year and we have an 11 year old and 8 year old. hope it goes well

Hi Wilow412,

We've taken the plunge and are sorting things out this end. They want my husband to start on the 1st March, so things maybe moving quite quickly, but I think that's probably better than dwelling on everything too much!

Feel free to message me, I think you message after you have posted three times, I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong!

It's great to read all the threads on here, they have made me feel more positive but I am nervous I have to say. On top of everything else, I'm giving up my quite secure and good job for this whole thing, but its a great move for my husband, so I've definitely got my fingers crossed!

what project is he on?

Was that directed to me dennerlymum? Apparently he's cross program, it's a quality role, although he's feeling a bit odd about that at the moment, he's always been manufacturing/operations before now! He'll be based at campus 2 apparently, but that means nothing to me at the moment I'm afraid!

yes it was...just being nosy! Hubby is on the A380 manufacturing
campus 2 is at blagnac near to the airport