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How I Got into France as an American During Covid

October 1, 2020

When I submitted my application to teach English in France for a year, Covid wasn’t even a headline. In January 2020, I turned in the last recommendations, documents and transcripts. And I waited until what was supposed to be “early April.” Alas, February brought headlines of this mysterious virus, March ushered in global panic, and April introduced a new way of living. I became anxious that this pest of a virus would interfere my post-graduation plans.

And I worried a lot about it. And the toughest part? There was nothing anyone could say, recommend or even predict. Should I apply for another job? Should I wait it out? Alas, I decided to wait for the green light on moving to France, and it has paid off.

In September 2020, I flew from Missouri to France to start my teaching job in Marseille. And understandably, many people have been asking me: Kristin, how did you get into France? You’re American, and I didn’t think Americans were allowed into France.

So, here’s my humble attempt at explaining how I, as an American, got into France — legally, of course.

There’s an exception to every rule

When I was accepted into the Teaching Assistant Program in France (TAPIF) in June (finally!), the email came with a caveat. And it was this: you’ve been accepted, but Americans still aren’t allowed into the E.U. That meant we had to wait for borders to open or for an exception.

As y’all know, Americans still aren’t allowed into the European Union, except under special conditions. And after a long two months, American language assistants for TAPIF received an exception to then apply for a visa. Some other exceptions on the list: diplomats, healthcare workers fighting Covid-19, flight personnel, students and people seeking medical care.

The visa process

Oh là là … The visa process is already stressful enough, but a pandemic only makes it more interesting. I already wrote a full post detailing exactly how I applied for my visa, but in short, it was crazy. Long story short: there’s only so many visa offices we can visit to apply for our assistant visa. We fill out an online application but must go to a center in person to hand in our passport and documents. At the visa center, they also take finger prints and head shots.

But because I’m from what some consider a “high-risk state,” I couldn’t go to the centers in Boston, New York, Chicago or D.C. So that meant I had to travel all the way to Los Angeles for a 20-minute appointment. My mom and I made the most of it, and I’m grateful for parents who are generous with their airline and hotel points. (Love you, Mom and Dad!)

My visa was shipped overnight about two weeks later. Once I received the visa, I had the right to enter France, even as an American. However, due to La Covid, France has several other restrictions in place for Americans (and other nationals) entering France.

More paperwork and a Covid test

Along with a valid visa, France currently requires two completed forms: Attestation de déplacement dérogatoire vers la France métropolitaine depuis les pays tiers et déclaration sur l’honneur. What a mouthful! In essence, these two forms verify that you don’t have Covid symptoms and specify which visa you have to enter France. It sounds a lot more complicated than it is! I printed several copies of these forms both in English and French and showed them to the airline when I boarded in New Jersey.

France also requires a negative Covid test from Americans entering France. And it must be swabbed and returned within 72 hours before international departure. This doesn’t sound too complicated, but depending on where you’re from, this can prove to be quite the challenge. France requires an RT-PCR test, meaning it’s sent a lab. From my understanding, they don’t accept Rapid tests, but honestly, this whole process has been extremely murky.

The week before departure, I asked my doctor for a script to get a Covid test and asked her where to get my test done. My flight was on a Tuesday, and I told her my 72-hour dilemma, as that’s a short window of time. She said it would be virtually impossible because labs aren’t open on the weekend.

But my flight had already been rescheduled twice. The first time, the airline canceled one of my connecting flights. The second time, the embassy recommended to me that I fly directly to France from the U.S., not through any other country. Although many countries are part of the E.U., they all have different Covid restrictions for travelers. It would minimize stress to fly directly to France.

I didn’t want to reschedule my flight a third time. So I took it upon myself to call multiple urgent care and testing centers to see what their turnaround times and lab hours were. Finally, I found out that Total Access Urgent Care’s lab is open 7 days per week, and I gambled. On Saturday evening, I pulled into the parking lot around 5:25 p.m. — just 72 hours and 20 minutes before my international flight.

I had them wait to swab me until exactly 5:45 p.m. (And yes, they are that particular at the airport.) I didn’t need an appointment; I simply walked in and had zero wait. My Covid test was free through insurance, but I know of other Americans who paid a hefty price for the guarantee of results delivered in less than 72 hours.

About 52 hours later, on Monday evening, I received an email with my results. NOT DETECTED. Hallelujah! I didn’t sleep much the night before my flight, but at least it wasn’t from waiting on my test results. I am beyond blessed that my Covid test results came back in time, but other assistants also struggled to find places that could promise good turnaround times.

The big day

I thought that the least of my worries were over with. The valid visa? Check. The paperwork? Check. Negative Covid test? Check. Oh, how wrong was I! I showed up to the airport several hours before my flight, and when I told the man at the airline desk my final destination, his attitude soured. “Well you know that Americans aren’t allowed in France.”

Not true, Brian.

My mom and I showed him all my documents including my valid visa. He made a call and asked his coworkers, and the airline operating system said I wasn’t approved to fly. We argued — ahem, spoke sternly for about 30 minutes before he finally handed me off to another woman, who wasn’t kind about the process either.

He told me that I shouldn’t be surprised if the Newark airport makes me fly home that very afternoon, as in “I told you so.” After I paid an outrageous amount for my overweight luggage, they told me good luck, and I know they didn’t mean it one ounce. Sure, I understand they were just doing their job, but they needn’t be snarky about it.

I like to think I’m pretty good under pressure. I mean, my dad is a lawyer, I survived a rigorous journalism school. But the moment I left that desk to head to security, I started bawling. (Don’t worry; they didn’t see me.) The whole process to move to France had already been chaotic, and I’d been unnaturally calm leading up to departure, at least for me. But after that heated conversation, I completely unraveled. I gave my mom a hug and cried the whole way through security. I had no idea if he was right. Would I be back in Missouri that same day?

Like everyone and everything these days, I didn’t know.

The journey

The flight to New Jersey was fairly full, and once I landed, I immediately went to my gate to ask about the necessary documents to board the flight. Jennifer was an absolute angel and told me I had everything I needed. I found my gate and ate a big dinner before my international flight to Paris.

When it was time to board, I approached the gate to show them my documents. The lady stared at them for a long time and eventually made a mark on my boarding pass, indicating I’m good to go. However, as I left the desk, I overheard her fussing about the fact that my Covid test was almost exactly 72 hours prior. Another flight attendant basically told her to quit her whining because it’s nearly impossible to get tested and receive results in less time than that.

The flight was eerily empty. I had rows and rows and rows to myself. I had one seat to sit in, another for my backpack, a tray for my snacks, a tray for my trash. I’m not going to lie, it was really nice. There were maybe 30 passengers on the flight, and it was still a massive jet, three sets of three seats wide with two aisles in between. As for the people on the flight, one was a French national returning home. I also chatted with a handful of American men who had gotten visas to go work at the French Open for about two weeks.

The border

After our 6-hour flight, we landed and immediately were met by people checking our Covid test results. The woman didn’t look too closely and was very kind. Then we headed to border control where I handed them my visa and held my breath. The man looked at it, asked me to remove my mask and stamped it. I even made a joke about how terrible I looked. Getting through border control was actually so easy compared to all the other junk I went through in the previous hours.

All across the board, the French were much kinder and chiller than all the Americans I encountered along the way.

We done made it

Waves of relief. I was so jet-lagged and dirty, but I hadn’t fully allowed myself to get excited about moving to France until I saw it with my own two eyes. And even those first few moments in the airport reminded me why I went through all this chaos. I love France, and it’s been my dream to live here. And that’s why I held out as long as I did.

I had no idea how long it would take to get through border control, so I scheduled my train for that afternoon. After a 6-hour layover, I finally boarded my 4-hour train to Marseille. And about 20 hours after my first flight took off, I made it. I had really done it.

French life in Covid

I’m so grateful I got to my city with a week to spare before my contract officially started. That meant I had time to settle in and get adjusted. People have been asking me about what life is like in terms of Covid. Keep in mind, I’m in Marseille, and my experience doesn’t represent all of France. But my schools are meeting in person, and only the teachers wear masks.

I find it interesting that many Americans are quick to point to Europeans and say how obedient and good they’ve been with the virus. And I’m here to tell you it’s just not true. It is not a utopia. Honestly, I see more people here not wearing a mask than back in St. Louis. Most do wear a mask, but everyone is so much calmer and kinder about it here.

Even before Covid, I’ve noticed how much Americans live in fear. And it’s just not like that here. Most everyone wears the mask, but they don’t seem as paranoid about it. Life is very much still happening here. Currently, restaurants are supposed to be take-out only, but the Marseille mayor is extremely against shutting down. So, some restaurants are still open even though they’re not supposed to be. And from speaking with the locals, many have told me how hard it is to get a Covid test here.

Adventure time

All that to say, it’s already been a wild ride, but I’m so excited for this year. Even with Covid, I am still ecstatic to be here. There is still so much to see, do, eat and drink. I have trouble falling asleep every night because I am so excited to be here.

I am grateful that my program wasn’t canceled and that God has opened so many doors for me to be here. Here’s to many more adventures this year.

Curious about what my life in France looks like? I hang out a bunch on the ‘gram:

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How To Pack for a Year in France

September 22, 2020

It’s not like I didn’t know. Over a year ago, I decided to apply to different programs where I could teach English in France. And truth be told, I didn’t look into many options outside of this dream. And despite COVID, I am heading to France to teach English to little kiddos through TAPIF and am psyched. All that to say, I have been mentally preparing for a year abroad. Yet the packing process is daunting no matter what. Today I’m walking you through how to pack for a year in France.

This post includes affiliate links, which means I may earn a commission from included links. These help me run my blog and come at no extra cost to you. All opinions are my own.

First things first on packing

Start early. Period. I am the queen of procrastinating when it comes to packing. Like, how long does it really take? I’ve done this a million times before. If you’re moving abroad for a semester, year or even a summer, this is a different beast. There’s way more ducks to get in a row for travel longer than three months. I started packing three weeks before my departure date, and I even started putting items aside months in advance.

Right after starting early, my next biggest piece of advice on how to pack for a year in France is to set aside a dedicated area. For awhile, I tossed random items onto a chair in our foyer, and with only weeks until departure, I’m using one of our spare bedrooms. Having a special space means I can spread out and get a better idea of what I’m missing and what I already have. Even if it’s a corner of your bedroom, ease your way into packing by setting things aside as they pop in your mind.

Clothing

The thing about moving abroad for a year is that you need to be prepared for all sorts of weather. I’m moving to southern France, and although nestled right on the Mediterranean Sea, it can still get chilly. Think through different pieces you’ll need in the next year, including ones that remind you of home. For example, French style is more sophisticated than American. And although I won’t be sporting a college sweatshirt or sorority tee, I want to pack a few items that make me feel cozy.

I purchased two XL clear compression bags from Target, which have proved to be a great purchase. These are the bags that you fill with clothes and then vacuum up the air to shrink it up. So basically magic! In retrospect, I probably could’ve gone with a smaller size because the XL bags really are extra large.

Toiletries

I’m planning to buy the bulk of my toiletries once I’m there. Think shampoo, conditioner, body wash, etc. This cuts down on space in my suitcase, but packing travel-sized items protects me in case I have a delayed flight — and is what I’ll need for weekend trips!

Tech and Electronics

Health and Home

  • Prescription medications — talk to your doctor and insurance sooner rather than later
  • Over-the-counter medications like ibuprofen
  • Small canvases made by my friend Annika
  • Photos of family and friends

Documents

  • Work contract
  • Visa/passport (duh)
  • Birth certificate

Personal and Miscellaneous

Educational

  • Children’s books
  • Card games
  • Mini office kit (scissors, tape, post-its, pencil, pens, etc.)
  • Teacher’s planner
  • Hard candy and stickers for my kiddos

I hope this post and video helps you navigate how to pack for a year in France. Again, my best pieces of advice are to start early and to use those compression bags. Happy packing!

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How I Applied for My TAPIF Visa to France

September 17, 2020

When people would ask me about my “trip” to France, I often chuckled. Because a trip suggests short-term for the purpose of sightseeing. And because it’s entirely easier to take a trip than it is to move abroad for work. Most trips don’t include health insurance coverage, salary, rent or visas — the last of which truly distinguishes between vacationing and moving abroad. I want to start off by saying every experience and every country’s process is different. And it even varies by what type of visa you’re applying for — and they are many. Although there are a smorgasbord of visa processes, I wanted to share my personal experience on how to apply for a TAPIF visa to France.

My visa type

In June, I accepted a position to teach English in southern France for a year through the Teaching Assistant Program in France (TAPIF). The position lasts from the beginning of October through the end of April. And the program requires a VLS-TS travailleur temporaire visa. Translated, this means a temporary worker visa.

TAPIF has a partnership with VFS Global, which touts itself as the largest visa outsourcing and tech services. In essence, we apply for our visas through VFS Global who passes it along to the French consulate in Washington, D.C.

If you’re reading this post to learn how to apply for a TAPIF visa specifically, I cannot recommend reading the handbook enough. The actual visa application is a bit confusing. But if you have the handbook right by your side, it answers every little question on the process of how to apply for a TAPIF visa.

This year’s complications

*Raising my hand because I feel personally victimized by Covid and how it’s thrown a wrench in moving abroad. Oh, Covid, you’re the absolute worst. The visa process is stressful as is. And when you add in a global pandemic, it complicates the whole shebang even more.

I’ve written about the stress and anxiety that accompanied with the outrageous uncertainty that has been 2020, in light of trying to move to France. But as it relates to the visa process, Covid caused the most hurdles in this journey. And here’s why.

When you visit VFS Global’s website, you select your country of origin and the country to which you’re applying to stay. In my case, it was the United States and France respectively. It then takes you to another nook of the site and lists the different offices you can visit for your in-person appointment. (It’s not just any French embassy.)

I’m from Missouri, and there weren’t any options in my state. So the closest office was in Chicago. But Chicago had imposed a required 14-day quarantine for Missouri residents, due to its Covid numbers. As did New York City, Boston and Washington, D.C.

We love to see it, don’t we? Houston didn’t have any restrictions on Missouri travelers, but its VFS Global office had a temporary closure due to Hurricane Laura. I had only a few more options that had available appointments and no travel restrictions.

The soonest appointment in a city that didn’t impose a two-week quarantine ended up being Los Angeles. And I took it immediately. My mom and I made the 4-hour flight to Los Angeles the day before my appointment to get this dang visa application done. As stressful as this process was, it was nice to take a day-and-a-half trip with my mom before I moved abroad for a year.

My appointment

The travel time took exponentially longer than the appointment, which took maybe 20 or 25 minutes. We took an Uber to the VFS Global office in Beverly Hills, and five minutes before my noon appointment, I popped my head in to let them know I was there. They used a metal detector, and I went into the next room.

I handed the employee my passport and paperwork (we’ll get to that), which was listed out for me on my appointment receipt. Personally, I didn’t encounter any surprises in terms of paperwork; it was very straightforward. I even brought documents that weren’t on the list, and the employee handed most of them back to me.

After the paperwork portion, I moved onto the biometrics portion. This is a fancy word for giving them my fingerprints and getting another headshot taken. The employee gave me a receipt with a tracking number so that I could follow my visa application online.

I was really nervous for my appointment, but I really didn’t need to be. The employees were extremely kind and helpful, and they explained the process seamlessly. They’d overnight my application to Washington, D.C., that day, and then I’d get a FedEx notification when D.C. shipped it to my home in Missouri where I’d sign for it. (I paid an additional fee for courier service.)

Again, the appointment took maybe 20 or 25 minutes. There were no trick questions like at the end of The Proposal.

RELATED: 50 Most Common French Verbs + Free Quizlet

Documents I brought to my appointment

After I submitted my application, I had to download the official version, print and sign it. At the end of this application, a list of required documents followed. For my specific teaching assistant visa (and again, it varies by countries, type, length, etc.), here’s what I needed:

  • My work contract with the DIRECCTE stamp, which means it’s ~officially~ official
  • Photocopy of my passport (it must have two blank pages and not expire until at least three months after my scheduled departure)
  • The physical application and receipt
  • My appointment letter
  • Headshot*

*I really had to dig to find out what dimensions they were looking for. But when I went to Walgreens, I simply told them I wanted a visa photo for France. The lady did a little digging and found the specific dimensions required. I brought the two photos from Walgreens, and they kept one. And yes, they take another one once you arrive.

Okay, full disclaimer right here, right now: I am mega type A. I am almost always over prepared. I totally was that girl in grade school who always had her homework done and always raised her hand. That means I also brought along some extra documents just to be safe:

  • My college diplomas
  • Email correspondence that mentioned any sort of program acceptance or confirmation of the DIRECCTE stamp
  • Photocopy of my birth certificate

No matter what, I’d recommend bringing 3 to 5 copies of each. The VFS employee didn’t take most of my extra documents, but personally, it gave me peace of mind.

Waiting for TAPIF

As if I hadn’t waited long enough to go to France — that’s a fun story. And after leaving my appointment on September 2, I received it in the mail on September 17. Throughout the process, I was able to track my application through VFS. But for much of the time, it just said that my application had been sent to D.C. for “further processing.” I also received FedEx updates via email because I needed to sign for the visa.

The day before my visa arrived by FedEx, I got text and email notifications that my passport would be shipped out overnight. The FedEx tracking was extremely helpful because it requires a signature. Make sure you or someone is home when it arrives!

So, even with Covid delays and the Labor Day holiday, I received my visa in the mail 15 days after my appointment.

Applying for a visa is stressful, especially in a pandemic, but many have gone before you. Take this post with a grain of salt because every country does it differently. Best of luck as you navigate how to apply for a TAPIF visa, or any for that matter! My experience is just one sliver of the the pie. But I hope it helps you on your visa process journey. Bon courage !

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On Moving Abroad in a Pandemic

September 2, 2020

Lately, life has been a dark room with hundreds of red lasers creating a chaotic web of traps. You know, the ones in spy movies where one wrong move, one slip or one shake makes the alarm start blaring. Game over. These past six or seven months have been exactly that — a seemingly impossible situation with one hurdle lined up after another, knowing that I need to get to the other side but not knowing exactly what it is.

I’ve been waiting to get official clearance to apply for a visa to teach English in France and got the green light at the end of August to move to Marseille. Today I officially submitted my visa application.

Last summer, I decided that I wanted to move to France for a year after college graduation. In October, I started my TAPIF application and pressed “submit” in January. In March, COVID shut down the country and most elsewhere. Acceptance emails were due in early April, then delayed multiple times until the end of June.

On June 23, the email came: accepted — but Americans still are unable to get visas. Grasping the relief I craved was like chasing my tail. Sparse emails and endless news scrolling peppered the next couple months: you’ve been placed in Marseille, but you still can’t enter France. Cases are rising in America, cases are down in France — okay, actually now they’re up — but also stats might not be reliable — maybe it’s a conspiracy theory — also Fauci — p.s. Kanye is running for president. Hi, we’re excited to meet you, when can you come? I wish I knew …

GAH.

Tight chest, restlessness, inability to focus, lack of dreaming, never at rest yet stuck. I’ve always been the girl with a plan, the one who always has her ducks in a row. And if they’re not, I work overtime and bend over backward to make it happen. But these past few months have put my Type A nature through the ringer.

The waiting game

The limbo is supposed to be a fun party game for kids, but now that I’ve been living in limbo for nearly six months, I’m here to tell you it’s not fun. The girl who always had a plan had to sit in — nay, marinate in the “I don’t know” and “what if.” And to me, that’s scarier than rejection and failure.

All that to say, my Enneagram 3-self struggled these past few months. I graduated with two degrees and Latin honors from one of the top journalism schools. Yet I moved home to my childhood bedroom that I shared with my younger sister and returned to my part-time job from high school. I love my family and have found such joy in these moments at home, but this is not what I planned or expected after college graduation.

I juggled part-time jobs and reconnected with childhood and high school friends. The words “I don’t know yet” became a part of my daily vocabulary. For more than a year, I’d been planning to teach English in France, but acceptances were delayed nearly three months. And even when I received my acceptance in June, a pandemic ravaged the world where both fear and travel bans surged. My mind whirled with anxiety: But I’ve told everyone about this plan to move to France, and even more than that, I really do want to go.

My first time to France in 2014.

During my senior year of college, I became disillusioned with the journalism industry, and to be frank, that feeling only has increased in the recent months. This burnout led me to decide not to go into a traditional journalism job right after college. But at the same time, I didn’t know what was next or even what I wanted to do with my life. (Spoiler alert: I still don’t.)

Over the years, one of my French professors sprinkled in mentions of this program of teaching English in France. I had brushed it off for a long time. I’d already mapped out my climbing of the journalism ladder in New York and beyond. I didn’t want to be a teacher, and it was a long time to be away from home.

But the more I climbed the own ladder in my head, it never was enough. And I was tired of constantly striving. Someone always had more bylines than me, more stories above the fold, a higher position, a cooler internship, better connections, more impressive GPA.

And it was never enough. I was tired of sacrificing time and energy to climb a ladder that existed only in my head. Success is entirely elusive and relative. I decided to take a different path than the one I’d planned on for literally years. My hope is that this year will give me clarity on what I want and where I’m gifted. All that to say, I’m excited to see what lies ahead even though I have zero idea where I’ll be in a year.

When I lived in Toulouse during summer 2017.

Why I have hope

This world is riddled with uncertainty. It always has, but it’s more apparent these days. I really don’t know what this next year will hold, but I have hope. The application process has been a doozy, but God has provided every single step of the way and in ways I never expected or asked.

In the time of waiting, He provided friends in my hometown who walked with me and encouraged my torn, tired heart. He provided a handful of friends who applied to the program, too, with whom I could vent, gush, dream and cry. He blessed me with these friends who reminded me to take a deep breath and helped dissolve anxiety.

In the time of waiting, He provided several part-time jobs to meet financial needs but also give me a sense of purpose in the waiting. I had the privilege of nannying two sweet boys who reminded me of God’s love for His children, helped me giggle when I cried the night before, and showed me how to live in the moment. I was sprayed with a hose, had dirt stuck under my fingernails, sang all of the Veggie Tales songs, played with worms and dripped sweat. But I wouldn’t trade a moment because it’s exactly where I was supposed to be this summer. He provided wise counsel through those around me and through encouraging podcasts. God provided sweet respite through long walks and the ability to exercise.

God blessed me with my first choice in school region and then again with my city placement. He has provided a place for me to live and the financial means for this adventure. And He has blessed me with a handful of familiar faces joining me on this journey.

Throughout this process, I’ve learned better what it means to hold an open posture: France or no France. And it wasn’t easy. I’ve learned how to be still, not because I chose it but because there was absolutely nothing I could do to change the situation. All I could do was wait. For me, that is one of the hardest places to be.

My third time to France during study abroad in 2019.

What lies ahead

At this point, everything is out of my hands. I’ve submitted my visa application, which should take two to three weeks to process. I still don’t know what schools in France will look like during a pandemic, and they probably don’t either.

My feet haven’t even touched French soil this year, and the adventure is already in full swing. And more than ever, I don’t know what this year holds. But I believe God is present and hears us. In Acts 17, Paul writes about how God has set apart our appointed times and boundaries of our lands. In Psalm 139, the poet writes that God has ordained all of our days before one even happened.

I don’t know why I’m living during COVID, and I don’t know why God got me through the laser-filled that is these past few months. But I do know He has a plan and a purpose for my time in France. And I am beyond exhilarated (okay, maybe a bit nervous, too) to see what this next year holds. Here’s to preparing for takeoff in an already turbulent world.

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How to Use Pinterest for Blogging

August 11, 2020

Work smart, not hard. During sophomore year of high school, my AP European History teacher told us this adage when it came to studying for the big exam, but I’ve found that this “work smart, not hard” mantra is one to adopt for all of life, including blogging and business ventures. One great way to work smart not hard on your blog is through Pinterest. This search engine platform is my biggest driver of traffic — it’s brought more than 115,000 visitors to my site and my account has nearly 400,000 monthly visitors. Let’s chat about how to use Pinterest for blogging.

This post includes affiliate links, which means I may earn a kickback from included links. These come at no extra cost to you and help me run my blog. All opinions are my own.

Why Pinterest?

How many times have we as bloggers agonized over an Instagram story or Facebook post? That sad thing is that those disappear off news feeds very quickly. Unlike these social media platforms, Pinterest, which is a search engine, lives long beyond its publish date. Pins that I published years ago are still bringing traffic to my site. Now that is what I call working smart, not hard!

I want to give you specific tips and tricks to help you understand how to use Pinterest for your blog because again, it’s been my main driver of traffic. And I’ve barely spent anything on advertising. You certainly can drive mega traffic to your blog without spending a dime on Pinterest advertising. Let’s dive into how to use Pinterest for blogging.

Take a mini course or webinar

One of the best investments I’ve made for my blog is watching 30-minute webinar trainings to inspire and teach me a new aspect of blogging. And it’s a great way to learn more about Pinterest for your blog or business. If you’re a true beginner, then Pinterest Academy is for you. This is the place to start if the thought of Pinterest for something other than a wedding or recipe board makes you shiver. Okay, maybe just the entire platform itself. Pinterest Academy is a series of free online courses made by Pinterest itself. And the whole curriculum takes less than an hour.

If you’ve already dipped your toes into the Pinterest world and want to kick it up a notch, Jenna Kutcher is the gal to meet. She delves into more of the algorithm, creative direction and strategy. The algorithm changes every so often, but recently, she recommended pinning 1 to 2 times per day. And that’s how I’ve attracted nearly 400,000 monthly visitors. Take her free masterclass here. (And get her free and downloadable Pinterest guide.)

Make your graphics vertical

For some of you, the thought of making a graphic sounds terrifying. You’ve never taken a graphic design class; heck, your socks never match. So how are you going to create gorgeous graphics for your blog on Pinterest? Enter Canva.

Canva is full of free templates and even has all the preset, ideal sizes for each social media platform and other mediums such as posters or business cards. And it’s free! You can get inspiration from their templates or freestyle it. Upload your own photos or use their stock images. Sign up for a free account here.

But no matter what, when you’re planning for Pinterest, use vertical photos and graphics. The ideal dimensions are 1000 x 1500 px. Horizontal photos do not perform well on Pinterest, and you will already be two steps closer to success if you can do this one simple trick.

Make a list of blog posts ideal for Pinterest

If you’re just learning how to use Pinterest for blogging or if you need inspo, a great place to start is making a list of blog posts that are ideal for Pinterest. Not every blog post you publish will be a great fit for the platform, and that’s okay. For example, I’ve published some more reflective pieces like my thoughts on graduating and my announcement that I’m moving to France. For my blog and brand, it doesn’t make sense for me to post these because most people won’t be searching for posts like these unless they already follow me.

Okay, Kristin, so what blog posts are ideal for Pinterest? I’m glad you asked! I recently published a post on the best SEO tips for bloggers, and because Pinterest is a search engine, lots of these tips apply. Think about what people are searching for and where your blog can serve them. It could be anything from how to bake the best chocolate chip cookies to the best summer activities for kids.

A good rule of thumb is that if your blog post is a how-to or offers helpful tips, it’s going to be a great fit for Pinterest because these users often refer back to their boards and are looking for solutions and inspiration. Some of my top performers are graphics with French phrases, things to do in St. Louis and things to do in Destin.

A great way to organize and list out blog posts you think will be ideal for Pinterest is through Trello. I like to organize them into themed columns such as U.S.A. destinations or Tips and Tricks. Each box links to the different posts, so when I’m scheduling pins (we’ll get to that), I can have a bird’s eye view of what content I can promote.

Use a pin scheduler

How do bloggers have the time to be on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest for hours every day? Kristin, I can’t add another platform to my reservoir!

Hey, guess what? They don’t. To succeed and scale, bloggers and business owners rely on social scheduling, and it’s been so helpful for my brand. I did a free trial of Tailwind, which has all the Pinterest scheduling bells and whistles. I enjoyed my trial, but it’s not currently in the budget.

If you’re okay with a simpler scheduler or aren’t ready to invest money yet, it’s all good. The Pinterest platform has its own scheduler if you have a business account, which is a quick fix if you don’t have one. When you add a pin, you can click whether you want to publish immediately or later. The pro is that it’s free; the con is that you can only schedule two weeks in advance and can’t edit once you’ve scheduled.

I also use Hootsuite for my other social accounts, and they offer pin scheduling. Sign up for a free account here.

Take advantage of Pinterest’s resources

Fun fact: Pinterest wants you to use its platform. And they have some fabulous resources for bloggers and business owners wanting to upgrade their Pinterest game. Pinterest also has a blog with resources and success stories. I get a monthly newsletter with what’s trending on Pinterest and marketing strategy ideas. (It should pop up when you click on their Business Hub.) Resources galore!

Use the search engine’s search engine

Umm, English please, Kristin? Hear me out. I learned about this trick in a webinar years ago, and it is a game changer. (And it can be used on Google, too!) If you’re struggling for post ideas or want to use the best keywords in your pin description and title, here’s what you need to do.

Type in a keyword of your blog’s niche. Examples: “recipes with,” “outfits” or “travel.” See what people are looking for. Do you have any content that can meet their needs? Could you craft a blog post to answer the questions people are asking? Here’s what this looks like:

Along with inspo, this helps you narrow in on what people are searching for. My blog offers content for French language learning, and before I used this trick, I thought it was enough to include the word “French.” But when I type in the word “French” into the search engine, the top suggested results are about French toast, French nails and French bulldogs. And that has nothing to do with my content! Using this trick helps me target my pin by adding phrases like “French language learning” or “French language lessons.”

Make it practical and SEO-friendly

It’s easy to get stuck in the algorithm and what looks cute, professional or on brand. But at the end of the day, Pinterest is all about your brand, whether it’s a blog or business, meeting the needs of your readers. Pinterest users are planners, they want solutions, they’re savvy, they want to be inspired. And you have something to offer them. Maybe it’s a fishtail braid tutorial. Perhaps it’s prom dress inspiration. Or how to budget. Maybe it’s homeschool ideas.

All that to say, make it as easy for Pinterest users to see your content and know quickly if it will meet their needs. And although there are some different tactics for search engine optimization for say Google, many of these principles apply. Here’s a quick rundown of making sure your blog is SEO-friendly.

If you have made it this far, pat yourself on the back. You have a solid understanding of how to to use Pinterest for blogging. It might feel like drinking through a firehose, but between you and me, Pinterest is my favorite platform. It focuses on function before fancy photos, and a pin’s life is much longer than a day or two, like other platforms’.

Just starting out your blog or haven’t even hit publish yet? Take my free blogging video series, Blogging Basics. You’ll learn how to set up a blog, come up with post ideas and promote like a pro. (Oh, and also get an exclusive offer to upgrade your blog!)

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Our Day Trip to Long Row Lavender Farm

July 27, 2020

Sometimes you just need a little getaway. Our trip to France in May was canceled due to COVID, and it’s been a long time since this travel-loving gal has set out on an adventure. So when my sisters and I had a free Saturday, we decided to take a day trip to Long Row Lavender Farm in Wright City, MO. And it was the perfect escape I needed. Here’s how you can visit Long Row Lavender and what you can expect from this darling gem in mid-Missouri.

How to Get to Long Row Lavender

Unless you’re really familiar with Missouri, you may be thinking, Where the heck is Wright City? It was about a 45-minute drive from west St. Louis County for us. Easily accessible from both Kansas City, Columbia and St. Louis, Long Row is located right off I-70. There is no entry fee either.

The Farm

We started our day walking the field to look at the lavender and flowers. The idyllic barn looks over the rows of lavender, and we enjoyed taking photos. The field wasn’t too large and it was a hot day, so we were ready for the A/C. Most of the lavender had already been harvested, but it was still beautiful.

The Store

Y’ALL. Long Row has thought of everything to pair with lavender. There’s linen spray, bath truffles, lip balm, body scrub, plants — the list goes on! They also sell paper goods, t-shirts, Enneagram stickers and home decor. I bought a mini wreath of dried lavender and a lavender facial jar. I also bought a little sachet of dried lavender to send to a friend. Even with my mask on, the store smelled divine.

Make sure you also walk upstairs because they have lavender hanging from the ceiling as it dries. Again, great scents and halcyon vibes.

The Café

Sometimes when you visit a museum or attraction, the main event is great, but the food is often overlooked, meaning it’s overpriced and meh. This was not the case at Long Row. I ordered their Sourdough Grilled Cheese on gluten-free bread, and this sandwich was filled with provolone, gouda, bacon and tomato. Cooked to perfection, this savory sandwich hit the spot.

I also sipped on a lavender lemonade, and one of my sisters praised the honey lavender latte and pastry she ordered. All that to say, you can’t go wrong with anything on the menu. The dining areas are also thoughtfully decorated and the perfect spot to spend an hour or two chatting with a gal pal.

If you’re looking for a fun day trip, carve out a few hours to visit this darling spot in mid-Missouri. It was just the respite and excitement I needed after a canceled trip and just a blah past few months. Am I right or am I right?!

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13 Best Books Set in France

July 20, 2020

Once I graduated from college, I had lots of time to myself again. Although I miss the late night girl talk, meetings at 8 p.m., working out in the middle of the day, and rolling out of bed for class — ok, wow that’s a lot — I’m also really enjoying this calmer pace of post-grad life. I’ve been using this time to explore my own hobbies: blogging, exercise and reading. As a girl, I always loved D.E.A.R. time at school, but when life got busy, that was one of the first things to go. But now that I have time, I’m re-exploring this pastime and combining it with my love of France. Today I’m sharing the 13 best books set in France.

This post includes affiliate links, which means I may earn a kickback from items purchased through these links. These come at no extra cost to you and help me run my blog. All opinions are my own.

The Room on Rue Amélie by Kristin Harmel

In search of a good read, I strolled through Target, and this one stood out to me. Not only was it on sale, but it also was highly rated by Target. Okay, so it was an impulse buy, but it ended up being a good one. Kristin Harmel’s book is a World War II love story of a woman hiding Allied pilots. And although cheesy at times, I devoured that novel once I really got into it.

All the Flowers in Paris by Sarah Jio

I have a weak spot for World War II novels set in France. So when the magazine I worked for was sent this book to review, my editor said it was all mine. The story follows a World War II woman and a present-day woman who’s suffered a terrible accident and lost her memory. The novel switches back and forth between the 1940s and present day to eventually reveal the connection between the two women.

Mademoiselle Chanel by C.W. Gortner

We’ve all heard the name and seen the labels. But little know the saga that is the life of French icon Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel. Her story is one of a flawed hero: Coco went from rags to riches, thanks to her sewing ability, but her life is splotched by her Nazi sympathies. Gortner skillfully weaves in historical fact with compelling narrative to create a novel to paint Coco in all her beauty, blemishes and all. Out of all the books on this list, this is one of my favorites.

Sarah’s Key by Tatiana de Rosnay

And yet another World War II book set in France — hey, at least I’m predictable! It’s been quite some time since I’ve read this one, but it’s worth mentioning. If you’re looking for a feel good book, this isn’t it, but Sarah’s Key is still a great read. Moments before getting arrested during World War II, 10-year-old Sarah locks her brother in a cabinet, thinking she’ll return soon.

Paris in Color by Nichole Robertson

If you’re looking for the best books set in France for your coffee table, this is it. Photos of the City of Light cover the pages of this hardcover and are divided by color. It’s a gorgeous book, and every France lover needs this on the bookshelf. If you really like this book, there’s a stationery set with photos from this book.

My Paris Dream: An Education in Style, Slang, and Seduction in the Great City on the Seine by Kate Betts

I’ve dreamed about being a big-time magazine editor and also love France intensely. So when I saw the description on this book, I knew I needed to pick it up. Harper’s Bazaar and Vogue editor Kate Betts writes a memoir on her fledgling days in the 1980s as a fashion journalist trying to make it in Paris.

Code Name: Lise by Larry Loftis

My journalism background means I’m a nonfiction gal by nature. So when I saw that this was a true story about the most decorated spy during World War II, I knew I had to read it. While this book is thoroughly researched down to the nitty gritty, it’s extremely captivating and full of suspense. This novel about French woman Odette Sansom is also filled with real photos of her and places mentioned in the book. Code Name: Lise is a must for any history junkie, but especially for France lovers. As far as best books set in France, this one is near the top of my list.

My Life in France by Julia Child and Alex Prud’homme

Watched Julie & Julia and looking to learn more about this cooking icon? This memoir is written by Julia herself along with her brother-in-law’s grandson, who co-wrote and eventually finished the book after she passed at age 91. I’ve just started getting into this one, but if you’re a foodie looking to follow the journey of an American who fell in love with France, this one’s for you.

How Paris Became Paris by Joan de Jean

Have you ever wondered what makes Paris one of the most visited gems in the entire world? I mean, really, what makes it such a captivating place? If you’re a history buff, then this one is for you. With illustrations and paintings sprinkled in, the book takes a historical approach to the rise of one of the most influential cities. This one is on my list, for sure.

Parisian Chic City Guide by Ines de la Fressange

Planning a trip to Paris or dreaming of one? This pocket-sized book is your field guide to all things Paris and divides it up by arrondissement. She shares her favorite spots in the City of Light along with why you should visit and must-haves from each. My sister bought this for my birthday one year, and not only is the info inside practical, but it’s also a perfect coffee table book.

How to be Parisian Wherever You Are by Anne Berest, Audrey Diwan, Caroline de Maigret and Sophie Mas

I have yet to read this one but see this title on other francophile’s coffee tables and blog posts. Immerse yourself in the vignette-like anecdotes of these four Parisian best friends and what it means to be a French woman.

French Women Don’t Get Fat by Mireille Guiliano

How is it that France has some of the most delectable, Michelin-starred food, yet it’s the Americans who are obese? Dubbed the “non-diet book,” this read unpacks the idea of eating for pleasure and the French paradox of how this country eats exquisitely yet stays thin. If you’re looking for the best books set in France, this is one to add to your list — it’s on mine!

The New Parisienne: The Women and Ideas Shaping Paris by Lindsey Tramuta

I stumbled upon Lindsey Tramuta’s blog Lost in Cheeseland years ago, and I’ve never forgotten it for its striking name. I’m also a sucker for any and all blogs about Americans in France. She recently released a book about the female movers and shakers in the City of Light, and the praise for this book is overwhelming. I have yet to read this book, but it’s on my list!

The world’s fascination with France is nothing new, and there are ample bookshelves to prove it. I hope you francophiles get to read some of these books set in France très bientôt !

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6 SEO Tips for Bloggers

July 8, 2020

One of the biggest game changers for my blog has been focusing on SEO and by a landslide at that. SEO stands for Search Engine Optimization. Maybe you haven’t heard of this specific term, but you’ve definitely benefited from it. SEO is all about making your webpage and blog posts easier for Google and other search engines to find. No matter where you’re at in your blogging journey, this post is for you because I’m sharing my best SEO tips for bloggers.

Why do bloggers need to focus on SEO?

I didn’t start working on SEO until last year, and let me tell you: the results have been massive. In all of 2019, only 700 of my website visitors came from search engines, meaning they typed in a search term and my blog popped up. Fast forward to this year — and it’s only July — more than 2,500 of my website visitors came from search engines like Google and Bing.

All of 2019 vs…
First six months of 2020

Think about it: when you’re looking for the best restaurants in Destin, Florida, what do you do? You open Google or Pinterest and type in “best restaurants in Destin, FL.” And yes, Pinterest is a search engine, not a social media platform.

Maybe you’re a blogger and have tried those “grow your traffic quick” methods like posting more regularly on social media, hosting giveaways with other influencers or researching hashtags. There’s nothing wrong with these, but if you’re frustrated that your traffic hasn’t increased sustainably from these methods, you’re in the right spot.

Working on your SEO isn’t a “get rich quick” or rather “get traffic quick” method. But it sets you up for exponential growth and more than anything, it gives your readers a better experience. I didn’t see results over night, but boy, have I seen my blog grow big time in the months that followed my SEO overhaul!

Okay, so what’s the magic secret? The truth is I can’t tell you everything you need to know about SEO for bloggers in one post because it’s a complex topic. But I want to share 6 SEO tips for bloggers that you can implement today.

Take Yoast’s SEO for Beginners course

This free course is where I learned 95% of what I know about SEO. They can better explain how SEO works and break down this mysterious algorithm. Ugh yes, I know, the terrible, evil, no-good algorithm. But seriously, if you do anything for your blog, take this free online course, and no, this isn’t sponsored by Yoast in any way.

This free course walks you through the basics and even gives mini quizzes to make sure you’re processing what you’re learning. At the end of the course, you receive a certificate, which I added to my LinkedIn profile.

Choose specific keywords for each post

As bloggers, we have lots of thoughts and ideas, but sometimes we can get carried away with too many focuses for one post. When you’re writing a blog post, make it specific. Let’s say you just spent a summer in Prague studying abroad and want to create several blog posts.

Instead of one massive post with how you packed, what you ate, where you visited, where to stay, day trips from Prague, etc., break it down into hearty yet easy-to-digest posts. Maybe create a post called “11 Best Restaurants in Prague,” another called “3 Best Day Trips from Prague.” That makes it less broad and also helps people who are typing “best day trips from Prague” into Google. Choose one focus keyphrase such as “best restaurants in Prague” and use it several times throughout your post.

Organize your site and posts well

This isn’t just for eye candy purposes; organizing your blog makes it easier for search engines to find and index your blog. One quick fix you can do today is go back through old posts and make sure you have subheadings in each post. No, not bolded text. Actual H1 or H2 headings. Not only does it make it easier for search engines but it also makes it a better experience for your readers.

Another thing you can do today is to make sure you’ve categorized your posts in a clear, logical fashion. This might mean categorizing the post as Recipes, Lifestyle, Travel, DIY or Fashion. And then there are tags. When you tag your posts, these are more specific than categories. So while the category might be travel, the tag might be Paris or France. The category might be Recipe and the tag is appetizers or desserts.

Link, link, link!

Another easy way to increase your blog’s SEO is by adding links within each blog post. Not only is this super helpful to your readers, but search engines also love it. And as far as SEO tips for bloggers, it’s fairly simple. Add links to your blog posts, both within your website and off your website.

For example, if you’re a food blogger and post a recipe for chocolate torte, you could link to another post of yours sharing your favorite kitchen tools. Maybe you’re sharing a macaron recipe and want to share your favorite YouTube video on how to get great consistency of your batter. (Believe me, it’s tough!)

No need to go overboard with linking every single sentence. Honestly, that’s pretty annoying for your reader, but adding several to each post will help your SEO score.

Utilize the Yoast SEO plugin on WordPress

When I first took Yoast’s SEO for Beginners course, my WordPress plan didn’t support plugins. And maybe you’re not ready to upgrade your site or aren’t able to at this time. That’s okay! There are ways to still optimize your site for search engines like the tips above.

But if you’re able to get a WordPress Business plan, use that Yoast SEO plugin every single time you draft. They have red, orange and green lights to show how you’re ranking for your keyphrase and give you specific suggestions on how to improve your score. This is, by far, my favorite plugin, and as I mentioned earlier, it’s made a big difference in my blog’s searchability.

Use my affiliate link to get $25 off any WordPress plan.

Don’t neglect previously published content

As you’re moving forward, utilize these principles, but don’t forget about all the content you’ve already published. I made a goal to fix and update at least 5 blog posts each month for SEO purposes. This means that, using the Yoast plugin, I go back to old posts to write a Meta description, add a focus keyphrase, add inbound and outbound links and check Yoast’s recommendations for improvement.

An easy way to see which blog posts need work is to go to your WordPress Admin dashboard > Posts > All Posts > Published. If you have the Yoast SEO plugin, click on the “All SEO Scores” box and pick which SEO scores you’d like see. As I’m going back through old posts, I like to click “SEO: No focus keyphrase” so that I can go back and fix those.

No, Google hasn’t disclosed the specific algorithm it uses for SEO, and algorithms are constantly changing. But Yoast takes out so much guesswork with their plugin by giving you specific suggestions. Again, this isn’t a sponsored post; I’m just obsessed with this plugin!

SEO can seem confusing and nebulous, but take a deep breath! There are specific steps you can take today to ensure your blog for search engine success. Even if your WordPress plan doesn’t have plugin capabilities, I still recommend taking Yoast’s free course to learn more SEO tips for bloggers. Happy blogging!

Still looking for more tips on how to make money from your blog, promote your posts successfully, the best tools/plugins and more? Take a look at my ebook, Become a Pro Blogger in 2 Weeks.

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Basic French for Travelers

July 1, 2020

People like to joke about the French often, but the truth is that France is the most visited country in the world with 89 million tourists each year. And there’s good reason for it. If you know me, you know I’m obsessed with all things France and lived in Toulouse for a summer. Knowing a few key phrases for any country you visit is a great practice, and in France, these will come very much in handy. The French are known to be nicer to tourists who at least attempt French. If you’re traveling to France, here’s a quick lesson in basic French for travelers. (Scroll to the bottom for free worksheets!)

Why learn French for a trip to France

I could go on for years as to why learning a foreign language is a worthy pursuit, but let me just share several reasons. First off, you will connect with a culture and place better if you know a few words. You can pick up on words on the menu, street signs, brochures and beyond, and it is one of the most satisfying feelings. Here are 7 ways to learn any foreign language.

Another reason to learn some basic French for travelers is simply respect. France welcomes millions of tourists each year from many countries, but France has a culture of its own, one that it fights to preserve, one it’s proud of. By learning even a few French words, you are showing the locals that you respect their culture and aren’t an obnoxious American who thinks the world revolves around her. Most likely, the French will be kinder and more helpful toward you if you just attempt French. Seriously, a little goes a long way.

Greetings/Formalities

Hello: Bonjour

Goodbye: Au revoir

Thank you: Merci

With pleasure: Avec plaisir

Good evening: Bonsoir

Good night: Bonne nuit

Ma’am: Madame

Sir: Monsieur

Food/Drink

Bread: Le pain

Cheese: Le fromage

Cake: Le gâteau

Grilled ham and cheese sandwich: Un croque-monsieur

Wine: Le vin

Tap water: L’eau du robinet

Orange juice: Le jus d’orange

Hot chocolate: Un chocolat chaud

Ice cubes: Les glaçons

Hot: Chaud

Iced: Glacé

Ice cream: La glace

Baguette: La baguette

Fries: Les frites

Transportation

Metro: Le métro

Bus: Le bus

Car: La voiture

Road: La rue

Taxi: Le taxi

By foot: Au pied

Ticket: Un billet

Plane: L’avion

Places/Sights

Eiffel Tower: La tour eiffel

Mona Lisa: La Joconde

Louvre: Le Louvre

Museum: Le musée

Restaurant: Le restaurant

Bakery: La boulangerie/la pâtisserie

Deli shop: La charcuterie

Hotel: L’hôtel

Sea: La mer

Mountains: Les montagnes

Shop: Le magasin

Market: Le marché

Park: Le parc

Pool: La piscine

Bathroom: Les toilettes

Airport: L’aéroport

Helpful Phrases

I would like ___: Je voudrais ___

Excuse me, can you help me? Pardon, est-ce que vous pouvez m’aider?

I’m lost: Je suis perdu(e)

Where are the bathrooms? Où sont les toilettes?

We would like to go ___: On aimerais aller

I need: J’ai besoin de ___

I don’t want ___: Je ne veux pas ___

May I have directions? Est-ce que je peux avoir les indications?

Best resources for French language learning

If you’re wanting to learn basic French for travelers, I cannot recommend taking an in-person class enough because it truly is one of the best ways to learn. There are chapters of Alliance Française across the nation, and these organizations have a wide range of levels and ages. Taking an evening course at a local college is also a great option.

If you don’t have the time or money for taking an in-person or online class, no worries. There’s so much you can learn for free and on your own before your leave for your trip. My mom downloaded Duolingo to learn French for our trip to France (unfortunately canceled by COVID) where she started learning from scratch. Although languages are learned best with native speakers, Duolingo is an incredible supplemental resource.

Also, if you’re looking hone your pronunciation — French pronunciation is funky because you only pronounce half the letters — Google Translate has a “speak” option. Let me quickly follow up and say that Google Translate is not the best resource for vocabulary and conjugation. Sure, all of your foreign language teachers told you that in high school, but it really is true.

The best resource for learning French in terms of vocabulary, definitions and conjugations is WordReference. This online dictionary is aimed at people learning other languages instead of native speakers. WordReference gives examples, multiple definitions and every single verb conjugation!

Want a way to practice all you’ve learned? I made some free worksheets to help you practice these vocab words.

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I’m Moving to France

June 24, 2020

Currently still in shock. I started my application to teach English in France last October. It has been nearly a calendar year of many anxious months waiting to hear back from TAPIF (Teaching Assistant Program in France). COVID has delayed these decisions several times, but yesterday I got the email: I’m moving to the Académie d’Aix-Marseille in southern France to teach elementary schoolers English. And I’m over the moon excited!

If you know me personally, you know that these past few months have been rough. Results were supposed to arrive in early to mid April, and the virus kept pushing those back. And this waiting has been emotionally taxing for me and my other friends applying. And I am delighted and relieved to hear that I’ve been accepted to TAPIF.

What will you be doing?

The Teaching Assistant Program in France hires 1,600 Americans to come to France and teach English to primary and high schools across the country. The country is divided up into académies, which are, in essence, really large school districts. I’ve been placed in the Académie de Aix-Marseille but have yet to receive my specific town. That means I could be in Marseille, Aix-en-Provence, Gap, Avignon — the list goes on! I’ve been placed in primary school and will be teaching elementary schoolers.

The position is only 12 hours per week, and hopefully, I’ll be able to lump sum them into three days instead of a scattered hours throughout the week. Assistants are often placed at multiple schools within the district. Since the position is only 12 hours per week (plus travel time to each school), I’m planning on growing my blog even more. And depending on what COVID restrictions look like, I hope to travel, blog and travel blog lots in the next year as the contract is from October to April. (If you want to stay updated on my life in France, sign up for my email list and get free access to my Travel Resource Library.)

OK but COVID

Yes, I got my acceptance, but I still have some hoops to jump through in terms of securing a visa. The TAPIF email sent yesterday said that the program is set to happen during its regular timeline; however, there’s a chance that assistants may arrive later than the expected mid to late September. The COVID situation is constantly changing, and I hope and pray that I’m able to get my work visa in good time.

As far as the COVID situation in France, much has reopened with restrictions. Thousands of schools are open (and have been since May), and restaurants have reopened.

In sheer honesty, I still have questions and anxieties. There is so much unknown, and after all this waiting, I can’t imagine this acceptance being taken back. The world is a weird place these days, but I’m choosing to take it step by step, day by day.

I don’t have all the answers, and I have no clue what life on this planet will look like in October — but no one does. I’m choosing to take this next step but understand that precautions will need to be taken.

Why are you going?

This May I graduated from Mizzou with two degrees: journalism and French. During these four years, I learned so many valuable skills and grew as a student and woman. But I’m still not exactly sure what I want to do with my life yet.

To be honest, I’m a bit burned out of the traditional journalism world and wanted to take a gap year to explore some other passions, such as French and living abroad. I’ve been taking French for nearly a decade and lived in Toulouse for a summer. Even after all these years, I still get jitters when I have a conversation in French, read a book set in France or watch a French film.

In 2015, I went on a school trip to Europe, and we visited Paris, London, Rome and Florence. And those handful of days completely changed my trajectory — experiencing the world firsthand taught me so much more than a textbook ever could. And although I loved the other destinations, Paris struck a chord with me.

Years later, I can still feel the butterflies in my stomach as I called my parents while on that trip. I was sitting on my fold-out couch bed in the hotel and sipping a lemon-flavored soda. I gushed about how I was able to use my French, how I’d chatted with an employee at the Louis Vuitton store, how I could order my meals. The power of language is groundbreaking.

And you know what? I still get those butterflies. Learning a foreign language has grown me immensely. It’s taught me how to sit in uncomfortable and unknown, it’s taught me bigger perspective, it’s taught me that my way to live is not the only way to live.

And it’s opened so many doors and allowed me to have relationships with people all over the planet. And I’m so excited to help these French students experience what I did and still do.

In the meantime

The program ends in April, and I’ll reassess what’s next when the time comes. I do love storytelling, writing and editing, and believe me, I’m just as curious as you are to see what I’ll do with my life. But at the moment, I don’t know where I’ll be in two years, but I do know that I’m unbelievably exhilarated to move to southern France to teach these kiddos.

I’m unbelievably grateful for my family, friends and teachers who have encouraged me and believed in me throughout this process. And I’m especially grateful for my high school French teachers who not only taught me the curriculum but also instilled a love for the language and culture. Merci beaucoup!

If you’d like to follow along my French journey, stay updated on travels and get free access to my Travel Resource Library, sign up here.

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Hi, I'm Kristin. I'm a content creator moving to southern France to teach English. I'm all about exploring new places, practicing my French and sharing blogging tips. Allez-viens!
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