by Jason Neiverth

Every once in a while, in the middle of my day, I find myself suddenly transfixed, unable to move. A half-chewed morning croissant rests deliciously inside my now-still mouth. I stare straight ahead at the sun shining against the distant mountains, amidst a city laden with culture and history, culinary geniuses, and some of the most interesting people on the planet. I see all this and I can only think one thought, repeated in my head like a mantra--Is this really my life? Six months ago, my wife and I sold everything and moved to Grenoble, France. Just out of Graduate School (and speaking very little French), I never believed that I would be able to make the move either financially or practically. But as it turns out, I am making a comfortable living working only 12 hours a week and taking wonderful French classes at night. The rest of my time is, well...mine!

Each year, the French Ministry of Education offers 1,500 teaching assistantship positions in the French public school system exclusively for American citizens. Candidates are hired to teach 12 flexibly scheduled hours per week of conversational English. The program requires minimal knowledge of French as the classes are taught in a "total immersion" style. The pay is a whopping 900 Euros a month (more in some regions) plus social security health care; typically enough to cover basic expenses in almost any French region. Not to mention all the free time it affords you to earn extra cash or to simply lounge around the countryside. The French are infamous for their bureaucracy and applying for the assistantship can be at first glance a daunting process. But smile! Your chances of getting the job are excellent. Oftentimes, there are more spots to fill than there are interested parties. This year, for example every qualified individual who applied was accepted. If you stay organized, there is no reason you should not be able to complete the procedure expeditiously and with little stress.

Welcome! The article you'd like to read is available to Adjunct Advocate subscribers, or to non-subscribers for purchase with AdjunctNation Passport credits. Your AdjunctNation Passport credit purchases compensate the writers directly!

If you like, visit our secure online store to purchase AdjunctNation Passport credits or subscribe. PLEASE NOTE: If you're already registered, you don't need to register again to read the article! You need to login, go to our secure online store, and purchase AdjunctNationCredits.