k&k episode 133 - the one where they talk about culture shock and reverse culture shock... and stuff...
We reach back in time in episode 133 - it's one that we recorded a few months ago with the lovely Tracey and Pierre (of the WITWATAP fame). We talk with them about their move back to Australia, and we get into topics like culture shock, reverse culture shock, francophiles, what it's like to be a bi-cultural couple, language and making friends...
Guest hosts : Tracey and Pierre of Red February
This episode was brought to you by the word "démenagement" (moving).
k&k episode 132 
oops i meant immigrating!
This was a really great episode. It actually brought tears to my eyes! I'm an Australian in France and have been going through all of the things that were described..it's nice to hear the Australian perspective on living in France and vice versa as my husband and I 'may' move to Oz one day and he will have to adjust like Pierre will do.
It truly is all those subtle differences that make things harder in a way. I came here for love but was also a partial francophile and read everything I could about French culture and living in France before I finally made the big move. Sadly it didn't help !
I'd love to hear more podcasts on things like this, I can't get enough since it can be so difficult to see the light at the end of the cultureshock tunnel sometimes.
This was a very interesting podcast. Are there a lot of Australian ex-pats in Paris (France)? Is there something like the Americans-In-France club where you can all meet and discuss your ex-patness?
Bob, according to the Southern Cross Group there are approximately 5000 Australians living in France. The Southern Cross Group has meet ups in Paris
http://www.southern-cross-group.org/contact/contact_FR.html
They don't say though whether the 5000 is permanent residents or what..I doubt it. Most of the Australians I've known to live in France tend to stay for about a year and then go home so I'm guessing that number takes into account students and people living here temporarily. That said I'm not in Paris so I couldn't really say..
oh this was a great episode. I could totally identify with all the feelings and struggles yall talked about.
being the citizen and helping your foreign significant other. (Pierre is TOTALLY right about feeling responsible)
But also with a possible move to Italy the things I have to deal with immigrant and trying to assimilate into their culture.
cross cultural adventures are always interesting and it is SO NICE to hear how universal the challenges are. other people really go through it too. =)