I’ve been visiting Paris since I was a young girl, and each time I go I see it in a new light. After my most recent trip, I was once again reminded that the best discoveries come from approaching the city with an open mind. In Paris especially, a place where most of us go full of expectations for romance, I find that you’re best off checking your preconceived notions at the door. Stay open to new places and people, and that’s when the magic happens. This list is by no means exhaustive, but it consists of some of my favorite spots and my recommendations for the top things to do in Paris. Check them out the next time you go, and be sure to share your own recommendations in the comments below.

Eat your way through the city
The cliché is true, Paris is a food mecca. There are too many great restaurants, cafes, and bakeries to name all them at once, but my favorite resource for finding some of the best is David Lebovitz’s Paris guide. Be sure not to miss the legendary Poilane bakery for bread, and Du Pain et des Idées for stellar and innovative pastries. For macarons, skip the touristy Ladurée and head to Pierre Hermé. My absolute favorite bakery in Paris is the Algerian patisserie La Bague de Kenza, a can’t-miss for delicate nut and honey-based creations that are hard to find on this side of the Atlantic.

Parks
Enjoying Paris’s many beautiful parks is another one of my favorite things to do when visiting. I love Parc de Belleville, Parc Montsouris, and Parc des Buttes Chaumont for spectacular views and ideal picnic grounds.

A walk along the Seine
If you’re like me, once you’ve seen Paris’ world-famous monuments once, you’re ready to see another view of the city. That being said, a walk through the center of the city never gets old. I like to stroll along the Seine to take in the spectacular landscape. Better yet, bring a bottle of wine and watch the tourists and residents stroll by as you bask in the sun.

Markets
Every neighborhood, or arrondissement, of Paris has its own outdoor market, where you can find farm fresh produce, delicate raw milk cheeses, eggs, meat, and more. My personal favorites are the Bastille market and the slightly more rambunctious Belleville market in the 11th.

Canal Saint-Martin
Remember that scene in Amélie where she skips a stone along a canal? That’s the Canal Saint-Martin, and it’s one of the best places to have a drink or sit outside and people watch. There are many bars and cafes lining the canal (I’m a big fan of L’Atmosphère or Chez Prune).

Cemeteries
People all over the world head to Père-Lachaise cemetery to search for Jim Morrison’s grave, but it’s also a beautiful, peaceful place to wander through. The Cemetery of Montparnasse on the Left Bank may be lesser known by tourist standards but it’s just as beautiful and historic.

Mosque of Paris
Paris’ mosque  is a fascinating place to take a tour, and even better for sipping sweet mint tea in the mosque’s tea salon and restaurant.

E. Dehillerin
Skip this if you can barely boil a pot of water, but if you’re comfortable in the kitchen, the famous E. Dehillerin shop dates back to the 1800s and is a mecca for home cooks.

Marais district
Trendy and full of hip clothing shops and galleries, the Marais district is also home to the Picasso museum, Place des Vosges, and the city’s best falafel.

Montmartre
Yes, this is one of the most touristy neighborhoods in Paris, but its winding, hilly streets are still home to locals. It’s worth the climb to the Sacré Coeur, where you can see a view of the entire city.

Museums
There’s the Louvre and the Musée d’Orsay, but there’s also the small but noteworthy Monet museum, or the Palais de Tokyo, a great space for contemporary art that stays open until midnight. Whatever your preference, there’s a museum in Paris for you.

My favorite spot in the city
Just when you think you’ve got a grasp on the City of Lights, it finds a way to surprise you. My favorite spot in Paris is proof of that. I stumbled upon it while wandering around the 19th arrondissement, where I climbed a flight of stairs to rue Georges Lardennois. The view I found there still takes my breath away.

Michelle Kiefer works in food and is a freelance writer. She studied French, lived in Paris as a student, and has hopes of soon becoming a hispanophone. She’s excited to get to know the Fluent City community and is always on the hunt for French language exchange partners who aren’t too embarrassed by her American accent. Follow her on twitter @michellebkiefer

The first time I ever spent an extended amount of time in France, I was confronted by the gap between everyday language and what I had learned in the classroom. Sure, I could conjugate the verb “to go” in the subjunctive, but I couldn’t for the life of me come up with the word for “vacuum” when I wanted to ask my host mom where the cleaning supplies were. Even simple interactions in grocery stores threw me off, and don’t even get me started on my first experience in a French hair salon. Thankfully I had kind friends and wise study abroad program directors to walk me through the most basic interactions in my new culture. The phrases below are a sample of some of the  “survival phrases” in French I’ve found useful over the years whether traveling or living in France. They’re super simple and might seem obvious, but they’re a lifesaver if you’re learning them for the first time.

PHRASES FOR DINING OUT

• Asking for a table: Pour x personnes, c’est possible ?/ Vous avez de la place ? Use these phrases to ask a host whether there’s a table available.
• Asking for water: Une carafe d’eau. In France, water at a restaurant isn’t a given. If you’re like me and like to guzzle down water while eating, you have to ask. Your waiter might also ask whether you want sparkling (gazeuse) or tap (plate).
• Ordering food: When you’re ordering food, it sounds most natural to say “Je vais prendre [name of dish].”
• Ordering meat: How do you want your steak cooked when ordering classic steak frites? Specify bleu for rare, saignant for medium rare, or rosé for medium. Good luck getting it well done, or à point.
• Getting the check: Pourrais-je avoir l’addition s’il-vous-plaît ? / Pourrais-je avoir la note? It’s considered impolite in France to give a customer a check before they ask for it, so be sure to ask for “l’addition” when you’re ready to leave the restaurant.
• When you’re done eating: Je suis plein/ J’ai assez mange/ Je suis rassasiée. Want to tell your companion that you can’t squeeze in dessert? The translation from English, “I’m full,” is the same: “Je suis plein.” Don’t ask why, but I’ve been told that the female version of that, “Je suis pleine,” sounds a little weird in French, almost like you’re calling yourself a cow. So ladies, choose one of the other two options. Je suis fini vs j’ai fini: Most English speakers directly translate the phrase “I’m finished,” when they’ve finished eating, but using the verb “to be” in this context will sound like you’re telling your French audience that you’ve died. Be sure to say “J’ai fini” or “J’ai terminé” when you’ve had enough to eat. It’s a subtle difference that will prevent you from sounding like an 18th century poet.
• Ordering coffee: un crème/un café. Sure, café means coffee in French, but only use it if you want a shot of espresso. I recommend ordering “un café crème” if you want a coffee drink with milk, most often shortened to “un crème.”
• Splitting a check: On partage/ On fait moitié moitié, or On fait moit’ moit’. The first time I ever dined out with a group of French friends, I nearly panicked trying to figure out how to say “Let’s split the check.” Be sure to use these phrases in the tone of a question, otherwise you might sound rude.

PHRASES FOR SHOPPING

• How much does this cost? C’est combien?
• Do you need a bag? Vous désirez un sac? France is going green and in many stores, you’ll be asked whether you want a bag with your purchase. Keep your ears peeled for this phrase so that it doesn’t come as a surprise.
• Anything else? Avec ceci? When I first started shopping at the markets in France, I was always confused by the vender’s question, “Avec ceci?” When I realized I was being asked if there was anything else I needed to purchase, I started responding “C’est tout” like a pro.
• Is this a gift? C’est pour offrir? This is another common phrase you might hear in certain boutiques when making your purchase.
• Bonjour/Merci. The two words we all know in French may be the most important survival phrases of all. The French expect a certain level of politeness when entering a store, passing someone in the elevator, or taking your leave from a restaurant or place of business. Be sure to say hello and thank you no matter where you go.

PHRASES FOR SOCIAL INTERACTION You’re lucky enough to have made friends in France. Now comes the fun part, making social plans without sounding like an awkward foreigner.

• Do you want to go out for lunch/dinner? On se fait un restau?
• Do you want to have a drink? Tu veux prendre une verre/un godet, boire un coup? There are many ways to ask someone to grab a drink in French, as you might expect from such a wine-loving country. The phrase “prendre l’apéro” is also used for pre-dinner or daytime drinks.
• Ordering a drink. You can order : une pinte (a pint) or un demi (a half pint) of beer. Ask for une bouteille (a bottle), un demi (a half bottle) or un quart (a quarter bottle – the options!) of wine. Having a celebration? You may want une flute or une coupe of champagne.
• A text message: Un texto/ SMS Texting is universal. Know the lingo.
• Making social plans: Ça marche? Ça te convient? Ça te dit? Use one of these phrases to ask a friend if they’re free to hang out. If you want to tell someone that you’re free, say “Je suis dipo.”
• Do you want to go out tonight? On sort ce soir ?
• Saying hello and goodbye. Salut can be used for both hello and goodbye. Even though you’re not speaking Italian, ciao is commonly used to say goodbye. Plan on seeing someone again? Say “A plus” for “see you.”

Michelle Kiefer works in food and is a freelance writer. She studied French, lived in Paris as a student, and has hopes of soon becoming a hispanophone. She’s excited to get to know the Fluent City community and is always on the hunt for French language exchange partners who aren’t too embarrassed by her American accent. Follow her on twitter @michellebkiefer

Plan a trip to the beach this summer that includes a Fluent City workshop! Dive in and get exposure to French or Spanish without committing to more than a quick hour and a half lesson outdoors. Fire Island workshops are held on Saturday mornings by the pool or on the beach with backup classrooms used in inclement weather. Get an overview of how the French or Spanish language works, pick up a few key phrases, and meet a few new friends to grab a drink with later that night if you choose to stick around for the day!

If you have friends who spend their summers at Fire Island, pass on the word that we will also be hosting our regular group classes during the week.

THE HOTEL COLORS follows six travelers spending one night in a rundown hostel in the outskirts of Rome. Speaking in direct translation from Italian into English, the eccentric voyagers form a temporary community and unexpected friendships as they fail–and flail–in their attempts to communicate.

Featuring: Christine Holt, Alessandro Magania, Linda Mancini, Federico Rodriguez, Kourtney Rutherford, Howard Thoresen*.

Producer Regina Vorria; Dramaturg/Associate Producer Sarah Rose Leonard; Set Designer Blanca Añón; Costume Designer Ásta Bennie Hostetter; Lighting Designer Yi Zhao; Sound Designer Ken Goodwin; Composer Joshua Chang.

The show runs May 8-25 with 8pm shows on Wed – Sat nights. Buswick Starr, 207 Starr Street, Brooklyn, NY 11237. L train to Jefferson St. Buy tickets at https://web.ovationtix.com/trs/cal/34289

Parlare in Italiano Night is going down at the Bushwick Starr on Thursday, May 9th. Be a part of it.

Try The World finds the best gourmet foods from around the world and packages treats into city-inspired boxes such as this month’s Classic Paris Box (pictured). Try the World does the work for you of finding authentic, high quality foods and pairing them in a good blend of salty and sweet indulgencies that give you a taste of cultures from around the world. Comments Kat:

“Anyone who is learning a language is also interested in the culture of the countries the language is spoken in. Food is a big component of learning about culture.”

The company initially included only Kat and business partner David Foult. The two met while pursuing graduate degrees at Columbia University – Kat at Columbia Business School and David at the School of International and Public Affairs. However, the company has already grown to include several folks helping to research new boxes the company hopes to launch in the coming months.

On the joy of discovering great treats through Try the World, co-founder David comments, “Discovering a new city is like learning a new language: The more you understand it, the more you enjoy it!”

Next up? A Tokyo and an Istanbul box. Pair your language class with some international treats by following Try the World on Facebook to know when new products are released. Use code FLUENTCITY at checkout for limited time free shipping!

German Meetup NYC Night!
Thursday, May 9th at 7:30pm

Schmooze and booze with a group of young working professionals visiting from Frankfurt, Germany. Fluent City is hosting a bilingual German meetup at Harefield Road and wants you to join! Come practice your German, meet a few penpals and have a drink or two! Non-German speakers also welcome. 21+

Location: Harefield Road, 769 Metropolitan Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11211

Planning on attending? Please RSVP to mandy@fluentcity.com so we know how many to expect!

When I was a college student studying a foreign language, I often thought about how my language education might fit into my career after school and what foreign language jobs I could hold. I usually came across the same stock answers when I researched my options: teacher, interpreter, or flight attendant. Lacking the patience to deal with children or cranky travelers, I resigned to the fact that the years I had spent cramming a new vocabulary would collect dust unless I was on vacation or attempting to pronounce the dish names at a fancy restaurant.

That was, until I entered the job market and realized that the opportunities to apply one’s language skills aren’t as few and far between as I had assumed. I interviewed with an arts organization that turned out to have a big presence in France, and I suspect I didn’t get another job as a market manager because I lacked the Spanish skills to communicate with local customers and farmers. Though my current job doesn’t yet apply this skill, when I asked around I found dozens of careers where it’s advantageous to be multilingual.

Our globalized society makes this a better time than ever before to be a polyglot. Whether or not it’s immediately obvious how your language skills might serve you in your field, knowing a foreign language will ultimately set you above the fray in a competitive job market and be useful in ways you might not have expected. After all, the most successful careers often result from being well connected, and being able to communicate with a wider range of people is how connections grow. If I could go back in time and talk to my college self, I’d tell her to take heart and keep studying. Your job just might depend on it.

Here are ten jobs where it’s useful to know a foreign language. Do you use a foreign language in your work? Tell us about it in the comments.

1) Chef

A vast number of line cook positions are populated by immigrants from Latin America or Asia, which means if you want to run a kitchen successfully, you’ll need to speak the language of your coworkers. Brooklyn-based chef Lia Forman explains, “There are plenty of ways to get around a language barrier and teach someone how to cook, but putting in the effort to speak the same language really bonds two people in a way that goes beyond a working relationship.”

2) Lawyer

You don’t have to work for an international law firm to apply your foreign language skills as a lawyer. If your client is foreign, or if documents related to a case were produced in a different country, it’s important that a lawyer know the native language. Immigration cases also require a translator to intermediate between attorneys and clients.

3) Firefighter

Depending on where you work, as a firefighter you may serve communities of non-English speakers. Knowing more than the basics of their native language will help you more efficiently communicate with people in a crisis situation.

4) Journalist

If you’re a journalist, knowing a foreign language can open up many doors abroad. Sarah Harman used her knowledge of German to leverage opportunities with a foreign media company. “As a news anchor working in Berlin, I know that speaking fluent German is an essential part of my job. Without good language skills it would be impossible to research stories, communicate with studio crew, and interview guests,” she says.

5) Marketer

If the company you work for has any kind of global reach, your language skills will come in handy. Marketing writer Maris Cohen works for Kantar Media, and she tells me, “Our global marketing and communications team is based in France. They dictate all of our brand and tone guidelines, and we have to run everything by them for approval.” Even though knowing French isn’t a requirement for her job, being able to communicate with team members in their native tongue facilitates collaboration.

6) Social worker

Like with any other human services job, foreign language skills help social workers communicate more easily with the diverse communities that they serve. A quick search on Idealist revealed dozens of community service jobs that required applicants to speak a different language.

7) Historian

Historians and researchers often need to study primary source materials in another language, and at the academic level most Ph.D. programs require that you know at least two languages. Researcher Meridith Roy points out, “Depending on your topic and the angles from which you’re examining it, it is useful to also research how it was perceived abroad. The best way to do that is to read directly from period sources in the source’s original language.”

8) Arts administrator

Many arts organizations have an international reach, and if you plan on building these relationships you’ll need to know the language of your audience. Curators often collaborate with foreign institutions to share collections, and museums are a huge point of international tourism, so it’s important that staff can speak to their visitors.

9) Insurance fraud investigator

Rachel Castaneda is a fraud investigator for an insurance company who was hired to speak Spanish. “Knowing a foreign language in this day and age is so important because it allows you to be able to communicate with others from different backgrounds and cultures,” she says. “We have clients that otherwise we couldn’t communicate with, which is bad business. I’m available for those in the Hispanic and solely Spanish-speaking community who perhaps have been taken advantage of and need a wrong made right. ”

10) Nonprofit administrator

Take a look around and you’ll quickly notice that many NGOs are focused on solving worldwide problems. Want to work for an organization serving earthquake victims in Haiti, or impoverished communities in Africa? You’ll need to speak the language to effectively reach the country you’re serving.

Michelle Kiefer works in food and is a freelance writer. She studied French, lived in Paris as a student, and has hopes of soon becoming a hispanophone. She’s excited to get to know the Fluent City community and is always on the hunt for French language exchange partners who aren’t too embarrassed by her American accent. Follow her on twitter @michellebkiefer

Sky Foods in Flushing, Queens

One of the best things about New York is the ability to travel to a neighborhood that feels like a foreign country right in the middle of the city. Those looking to get a taste of Chinese culture typically head to Manhattan’s Chinatown, but the fastest growing Chinese communities in New York are actually located in the outer boroughs, in Brooklyn’s Sunset Park and Queens’ Flushing. Unlike Manhattan’s Chinatown, where you’re just as likely to stumble into a souvenir shop as you are a Chinese market, a trip to either of these neighborhoods feels like it should require a passport. Your Mandarin skills will serve you well here, but whether or not you have a Chinese dialect up your sleeve, your strategy should be the same: head straight to these neighborhoods’ eateries and markets to experience the best of New York’s other Chinatowns.

Sunset Park

You’re unlikely to hear a word of English spoken in the Chinese-dominated section of Sunset Park, which stretches along 8th avenue from the mid-40s to 60s. Head straight to Pacificana for some of the best dim sum in the city, where if you forget the Mandarin word for pork you’ll at least be able to point at the carts of steaming dishes being wheeled around the extravagant dining room. Other standouts include Yun Nan Flavor Shop or Lucky Eight, whose name refers to the Chinese belief in the luck of the number eight – some even say that’s why Brooklyn’s Chinatown is on 8th Avenue. When you’ve had enough eating your way through the neighborhood, finish it off with a shopping trip at the giant Hong Kong Market (recently renamed, but still open the last we checked) right off of the 8th Avenue subway stop.

Flushing

Flushing, Queens may be the only case where it’s actually recommended to visit a mall in New York City. At both Golden Mall and Flushing Mall, the draw is the food courts, where you can sample some of the most authentic Chinese cuisine in the city along with the locals. After sampling dumplings, hand-pulled noodles, and a wide range of Chinese dialects, check out the Xinhua Bookstore a few blocks away, where you can stock your home library with Chinese literature.” Finally, head to Sky Foods market, where one reviewer claimed, “It normally helps to be fluent in at least two dialects of Chinese if you want to grab the butcher’s (or the seafood guy’s) attention.”

Where are some of your favorite Chinese spots in New York? Let us know in the comments, and happy exploring!

Michelle Kiefer works in food and is a freelance writer. She studied French, lived in Paris as a student, and has hopes of soon becoming a hispanophone. She’s excited to get to know the Fluent City community and is always on the hunt for French language exchange partners who aren’t too embarrassed by her American accent. Follow her on twitter @michellebkiefer

Brooklyn Exposed asked readers to share on Twitter why they would want to take a class in French, Spanish or 8 other languages at Fluent City. We love the answers we received! Congrats to contest winner @Pocohannah who responded, “I want to win @FluentCity Italian class fr @BrooklynExposed b/c I’ll convince my Italian CEO, in Italian, to give me a raise.” Check out some of our other cheeky responses to why take a language class at Fluent City. Thanks to everyone for participating!

• @Lilikoipua: I want to win a @FluentCity Spanish class b/c it will inspire me to travel more, meet new peeps!
• @tmbgrbf: I wan to win a @FluentCity French class so people know I want beer #4, not 4 beers.
• @heidigreenwood: I want to win a @FluentCity French class b/c I want to visit Paris this summer!
• @Sincerely_Megs: I want to win a @FluentCity Italian class b/c ordering spaghetti in English just doesn’t taste the same.
• @EatRelateLove: I want to win a @FluentCity Portuguese class b/c I am going to Angola!
• @Sarah_Thomo: I want to win a @FluentCity Spanish class b/c I plan to bum around in South America next year.
• @regsmc4: I want to win a @FluentCity Spanish class b/c I just went to Mexico and knew less than all my friends.
• @petite_crevette: I want to win a @FluentCity German class b/c Christopher Waltz is adorable.
• @PolyCindy: I want to win a @FluentCity Spanish class b/c I moved to sunsetpark and I want to order my food in Spanish!
• @tedjakokoneshi: I want to win @FluentCity Spanish class b/c espanol es muy caliente.
• @joshuaquinn: I want to win a @FluentCity Chinese class b/c I got too busy to finish it the first time!
• @JerseyJohn: I want to win a @FluentCity Italian class b/c I want to impress my girlfriends Italian friends.
• @AnneRapkin: I want to win a @FluentCity French 3 class b/c I miss speaking French!
• @ValerieRachelle: I want to win a @FluentCity Spanish class b/c I know a little nut I need to know much, much more!
• @SheilaDCollins: I want to win a @FluentCity Advance Spanish class b/c I want to live in Chile for a year.
• @oldsoulnewsoul: I want to win a @FluentCity Spanish class b/c I want to (one day) have a full convo with my Abuelo en Espanol.
• @bbusby: I want to win a @FluentCity Spanish class b/c I love tacos.
• @Cassandrasenrab: I want to win a @FluentCity Spanish class b/c of MA/PhD recs, creative projs & to ignore men in another way.
• @Keda88: I want to win a @FluentCity Spanish class b/c I wanna impress my Honduran mother-in-law.
• @shinyfoo: I want to win a @FluentCity Spanish class b/c my boyfriend speaks fluently and I want to surprise him!
• @coreyanneder: I want to win a @FluentCity Spanish class b/c it will help me serve my clients needs better.

We all dream of the day when we can confidently use the language we’re learning in a foreign country. Some of us might be interested in practicing this language not only on vacation, but immersing ourselves completely in a different culture for an extended period of time. Whether you’re cramming vocabulary and grammar to fulfill your dream of living abroad or considering the expat life for the first time as a way to take your language skills to the next level, there are many things you’ll have to know before packing your bags. The logistics of moving to a new country are as varied and complex as the countries themselves, but here are a few things to start researching as you plan your new life abroad.

Visa Requirements
Anyone who has ever spent only a few minutes in a foreign consulate knows that the process of getting a visa can seem as daunting as mastering the French subjunctive. But if you do your research you’ll be able to scale the mountains of paperwork like many expats before you. Visa requirements vary by country, and will depend on what you want to do when you arrive. Do you want to study? Work? Travel and live off of your savings? Each of these options comes with different visa rules. Some countries, like Germany don’t require visas for stays up to 90 days, so if you plan on living abroad for only a couple of months, you may be able to bypass the visa process entirely. Do your research with the appropriate foreign consulate.

What about work permits?
Again, your eligibility for a work permit varies by country, so do your research before you get started on that CV. In some countries, such as France, companies must prove that a foreign employee is more qualified than a native citizen in order to grant a work permit. Countries such as Australia and New Zealand offer something called a working holiday for American citizens between the ages of 18-30. You may not get to practice your foreign language skills in these countries, but it’s a great way to work and live abroad.

So what about work, anyways?
If the intricacies of finding a work permit are any indication, your best bet might be to look for work with a multinational company and hope for a transfer. However, remember your reasons for living abroad: you’re not necessarily there to have a high-powered career, and any time living in a foreign country and learning a new language, no matter what stage of life you’re in, can have immeasurable value for your professional and personal goals. Consider, instead, some of these alternative work options when moving abroad:

Au Pair: Many people work as an au pair to fund their time abroad. Check the International Au Pair Association for IAPA-approved au pair agencies.

Teaching English: You may be abroad to improve your own language skills, but consider that foreign countries are also in demand for native English speakers to teach English to their citizens. Not only can this be a viable work option, but teaching your native language – even if you’re not interested in teaching as a long-term career – can give you a deeper understanding of your own language learning process. Here are a few well-established programs if this sounds like the option for you:

• Teaching Assistant Program in France
• Japan Exchange and Teaching Program
• Hess Educational Organization in Taiwan
• Planet ESL in South Korea
• Language and Culture Assistants in Spain

Volunteering abroad: Volunteering won’t pay your salary, but it can still be a beneficial way to gain work experience and explore new interests. Some volunteer organizations may even cover food and housing expenses, so you’d only be responsible for the cost of travel. Check out these volunteer resources:

• Projects Abroad
• United Planet 
• Idealist
• World Teach
• WWOOF

Freelance/self-employment: While this may not be an option for all of us, if you are self-employed or able to do your work from anywhere, this may be a way to live abroad while still keeping a paycheck.

Going back to school
Student visas are often simple to obtain, and the cost of tuition at European universities can be much lower than some American universities. While this is a tempting route for living abroad, be sure that going back to school is really what you want to do. The time and investment may not be worth it if you’re only looking for an easy way out of the U.S.

Money and taxes
Nothing puts a damper on a conversation about fulfilling your dreams like money, right? But making the move abroad is going to take some practical financial planning. Look into the financial requirements of the visa you’re applying for: with many visas, you’ll need to prove that you can support yourself for the length of your stay. Will you be working abroad, and if not, what will you need to make the move work? Create a budget, and don’t forget to consider the cost of the move, unforeseen bureaucratic fees, and conversion rates. Do you plan on opening a foreign bank account or accessing your money in the U.S? Finally, keep in mind that the U.S. still taxes its citizens, even when they live overseas.

While this is all overwhelming, don’t let the practical barriers to moving abroad prevent you from pursuing your dream. The chance to live abroad is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, one worth all of the hurdles to get there.

Have you lived abroad? How did you make it happen? Share you story with us in the comments below.

Michelle Kiefer works in food and is a freelance writer. She studied French, lived in Paris as a student, and has hopes of soon becoming a hispanophone. She’s excited to get to know the Fluent City community and is always on the hunt for French language exchange partners who aren’t too embarrassed by her American accent. Follow her on twitter @michellebkiefer