Join us for an exciting episode of Worlds Collide as host Viktoria welcomes Rachel, an adventurous Australian who has made the picturesque French countryside her home. Rachel shares her unique journey, from her initial European adventure on a working holiday visa to her current life in France, where she lives with her French fiancé. Discover the challenges and triumphs of navigating a long-distance relationship, starting a business abroad, and integrating into French culture.Rachel opens up about the cultural contrasts between Australia and France, including the slower, more deliberate pace of life in France and the emphasis on enjoying meals and community. She candidly discusses the complexities of dealing with French bureaucracy and the language barrier, while also highlighting the joys of exploring Europe and the warmth of the local community.Listeners will gain insights into Rachel's experiences of making friends in a new country, adapting to a different work culture, and the nuances of living in a rural French town. Rachel also reflects on the differences in holiday celebrations and the unexpected delights of French culinary traditions.For those curious about life in France, the personal journey of an expat, or the intricacies of intercultural relationships, this episode offers a wealth of engaging stories and practical insights. Tune in to hear more about Rachel's experiences and her reflections on living and working in France.If you have your own story to share or want to connect, reach out to us at [email protected] or find us on Instagram, Threads, or TikTok @worldscollidepod. Don't forget to follow the podcast for instant updates on new episodes. Until next time, keep colliding with new worlds and expanding your own horizons.Keywords: France, Australia, Expat Life, Moving Abroad, Cultural Adaptation, French Countryside, Long-Distance Relationship, International Living, Cultural Differences, Expat Podcast, Integration, Making Friends Abroad, Work-Life Balance, Expat Challenges, Travel, Adaptability, Community Building, Personal Growth, Works and Travel VisaSupport Worlds Collide by leaving a five-star review and sharing with others who might find inspiration in these stories of cultural exploration and personal growth. Until next episode, keep bridging worlds and sharing tales that unite us all.(00:00) World Collide is a podcast where I talk to people who moved abroad(01:15) Rachel is from France and has been living there for three years(03:46) Why did you move from Australia to France? Why did you start your company(05:59) You have to renew your French residence card every five years, right(06:41) You went to France and Europe on a work and travel visa(09:16) Your French comes and goes in waves with mixed country relationships(11:26) Living in Australia is different to visiting, right? Um, yeah(16:09) When you first arrived in France, what were your expectations(19:51) Making friends as an adult is a bit of a challenge in France(23:44) I lived with two Irish girls when I first moved to Paris(24:31) Is there anything that you miss from Australia that's just not available here(27:39) In France, do you find, like, the typically Australian items(29:37) How was it transferring the business when you finally had your own place(31:40) What is the time difference for you now to Australia, to your family(34:57) You are used to having Christmas in summer, and everybody says it's weird(38:11) In France, the seasons start around the solstices(40:42) And what about like, cultural differences? That was hard for you to adjust to(43:25) All this administrative and bureaucracy is the biggest struggle, or is there anything else(46:32) Is it when he speaks English or when you speak English(48:48) Would you ever consider moving to Australia?

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“What did the council decide on item 42?” — answered with the speaker and the moment.

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