ABOUT
Marie is a French woman originally from Brittany, France. She speaks French and English fluently. She also knows a little Spanish and German.
She is a life & health coach as well as a SAJECE® hypnosis practitioner. She has done a career switch during Covid and couldn’t be happier with this decision. She finds great fulfillment in helping people reach their goals, while decreasing stress and anxiety.
Moving to West Bloomfield
When and why did you move to West Bloomfield?
I moved to the United States back in 2002 in my 20s for love My husband is American and originally from Michigan. We met in England where I was doing my last year of Business School abroad. After only a few weeks of dating, I decided to enroll in a US University to pursue a Master’s in economics in Michigan. My thought at the time was that if our relationship didn’t work out, I could at least come back to France with a degree. Luckily, all went well. We eventually got married, had kids and remained in Michigan.
I’ve lived in a few Detroit suburbs since then. First, in Troy when I first moved to the US as a student, then in Royal Oak when my husband and I bought our first house, and finally, in West Bloomfield in 2012 when we first decided to have a family.
How did you get set up?
My husband (boyfriend at the time) helped me out with getting a phone and getting a bank account set up, which was so helpful. The university also had a few international students and offered help – from finding a bank that accepted expats with no credit history to building a resume that would follow US guidelines.
What did you bring with you?
Back in my twenties, I didn’t have much to bring. I came to the US with only a suitcase of clothes.
What surprised you about life there?
I first arrived in Michigan in Winter, and I was surprised by how cold it can get and how long it lasts. First snow usually comes in November and winter can drag until March. We’ve even had snow come back in May one year. Michigan weather is somewhat unpredictable, and temperatures can rise one day and drop the next. We’ve had really cold and snowy winters, and others that were very mild. The seasons are beautiful with magical colors in the fall, nice Spring and very sunny and enjoyable summers.
Another thing that surprised me is how big the culture shock was. I think I underestimated how different Americans and French people are in many ways, and there was a lot to adjust to – from the way we eat to the way we communicate.
Another thing that surprised me is how big the culture shock was. I think I underestimated how different Americans and French people are in many ways, and there was a lot to adjust to – from the way we eat to the way we communicate.
What should people consider before deciding to move to West Bloomfield?
West Bloomfield doesn’t have a downtown where you can walk around, so it’s something to consider. If you like the city vibes, this isn’t it. However, it’s a nice family town. Depending on where you move within the West Bloomfield area, the school districts may be different, so you need to do your research and explore schools’ ratings.
It’s worth noting that the French school is located in West Bloomfield in the Birmingham school district. It’s very expensive. Most expats manage to have the tuition paid by their company.
It’s worth noting that the French school is located in West Bloomfield in the Birmingham school district. It’s very expensive. Most expats manage to have the tuition paid by their company.
Living in West Bloomfield
Do you need to speak English to live in West Bloomfield?
Yes. You definitely need to speak English. I’ve learned English back in France during my school years and I could get by when I first came here. However, I had to get used to the American accent and I’ve learned by immersion and speaking.
Do you feel safe living in West Bloomfield?
I do feel very safe in West Bloomfield. I live in a neighborhood where there is a great community. There are a lot of parents who send their kids to the same school and the kids know each other and play together.
What apps / websites / stores do you find useful in your daily life in West Bloomfield?
There are several app I use regularly since arriving in West Bloomfield:
Ø NextDoor is a neighborhood app that allows you to connect with your neighbors. It saved me during a particularly harsh Michigan winter, and I was in desperate need of a snow plowing service. I was able to ask for a referral, and the neighbors recommended a trustworthy company.
Ø Hoopla is an application that you connect to your library card, and you have access to thousands of audio books and eBooks, even movies for free.
Ø BobbyApproved and Yuka are apps where you can scan grocery items, and it lists the ingredients.
Ø NextDoor is a neighborhood app that allows you to connect with your neighbors. It saved me during a particularly harsh Michigan winter, and I was in desperate need of a snow plowing service. I was able to ask for a referral, and the neighbors recommended a trustworthy company.
Ø Hoopla is an application that you connect to your library card, and you have access to thousands of audio books and eBooks, even movies for free.
Ø BobbyApproved and Yuka are apps where you can scan grocery items, and it lists the ingredients.
What are your favorite places in West Bloomfield?
West Bloomfield Woods Nature Preserve park
Link
This is a great way to immerse yourself in nature and walk around. It’s pet friendly.
The West Bloomfield library is very big with a wide selection of books, DVDs, CDs, activity packs for both adults and kids. They organize events through the year for kids and adults. Link
The West Bloomfield library is very big with a wide selection of books, DVDs, CDs, activity packs for both adults and kids. They organize events through the year for kids and adults. Link
Final Thoughts
What’s the difference between Americans and French people in your opinion?
I don’t want to over-generalize too much, but as I mentioned above, the culture shock was big. French people tend to be much more direct in their communication styles than Americans. So, I had to learn to soften my delivery.
Our rapport to time is also different. French people take time to eat and socialize with a focus on quality time. Americans are much more productivity oriented and sometimes have a hard time just relaxing.
Americans tend to be much more positive than French people. Complaining is almost non-existent and it’s a breath of fresh air.
Have you seen any wildlife in West Bloomfield?
West Bloomfield is rich in its wildlife and it’s one of its beauties. There are lots of trees and nature. You can observe the seasons changing. Since living here, I’ve seen a wide variety of birds, squirrels, groundhogs, rabbits, and lots of deer almost every day. I’ve also encountered skunks, wild gooses and foxes.
What are some disadvantages to living in West Bloomfield?
The major disadvantage of living in West Bloomfield is that there is no walkable downtown.
Are there any experiences there that you are particularly proud of or that surprised you?
I’ve lived in the US for over 20 years, worked in a few places and I’ve never signed a work contract. The workforce is much more flexible than it is in France. Technically, you could get let go any time, but it also means that you can leave any time too.
Opening your own business is also much easier administratively than in France, and I’m proud to have dared doing it.
Was it easy making friends and meeting people?
To be honest, I’ve found making friends very challenging at the beginning. But now, thanks to technology, it has become easier.
The one thing that I did was to join a French conversation meet up group in my area (link) where I met Americans who spoke a little bit of French along with some French natives that ended up in Michigan and who were looking to socialize. In fact, I loved it so much that I became the president of the Royal Oak French Meetup group for a few years.
More recently, I joined the Newcomers and Neighbors Club (Link) It is a non-profit association that organizes activities in the Detroit area. It’s a fabulous way to meet people in the area. There are people from all nationalities. You can get involved and take the lead to organize your own events.
The one thing that I did was to join a French conversation meet up group in my area (link) where I met Americans who spoke a little bit of French along with some French natives that ended up in Michigan and who were looking to socialize. In fact, I loved it so much that I became the president of the Royal Oak French Meetup group for a few years.
More recently, I joined the Newcomers and Neighbors Club (Link) It is a non-profit association that organizes activities in the Detroit area. It’s a fabulous way to meet people in the area. There are people from all nationalities. You can get involved and take the lead to organize your own events.
What are your plans for the future?
Since Covid, I’ve switched careers and went from working in finance to coaching and hypnosis. And I’m loving it. I work with French people and American people, and I love using both languages in my work. It makes me feel connected to both.
