Where do the French live in England?

[RayB]

[quote]I must disagree Ray. I imagine that the french huddle as much as people from other societies are apt to huddle. There are the free spirits who don't, but many people do. Even of the people I know who ...[/quote]

Maybe 'Free spirits' attract 'free spirits'! Our French friends travel all over the place.

[letrangere]

Ray makes a really interesting point.  But in my experience the French abroad require the support of their fellow countrymen just as much as any other nationality.  I see it with my many French women friends here in the Middle East and even their businessmen husbands.  They want to meet other French people, socialise with them, enjoy speaking their own language and quite distinctive culture.  To be honest, I don't think they're very different from the British in that regard.  And TU's right about their preference for francophone countries when travelling abroad.  Look at any French long haul travel brochure and it's these countries that predominate. 

That said, I agree, Ray, they can be adventurous.  I sat next to a late middle aged French woman on a flight the other evening between Paris/Dubai who was on her way to spend ten days touring in the Yemen.  Good for her.  M

[Pangur]

http://observer.guardian.co.uk/magazine/story/0,11913,1389638,00.html for an article on the French in Britain.

I knew lots of French people in London and most of them were there for the same reason I was: London is a fantastic city, epecially if you are young and/or educated.  There's only a handful of world cities that compare with it and it's no wonder it attracts people from all over the world.

Some of them stay for good, but for many migrants, we stay there for the experience, the money, the wide range of employment and the wonders that London has to offer. Then we get out.  Most of my social circle in London were migrants: European, Australian, American but the one thing we all had in common was that we were in London for a fixed period only. 

[Teamedup]

Ray I do know real globe trotters. I also know people who haven't ever crossed the border into Switzerland or Italy, we are so close to both countries, it really isn't far. They have never seen the sea, even the Med, which is the closest big water mass. The one's who don't go far are the real majority.

The irony was that we were out to lunch today and there were two couples at the next table talking to one another about all their voyages.  The snatches of conversation I caught were about visiting places all over the world. And then one of the women was recalling something and was not happy, voice raised. Disgraceful she was saying, an international hotel and there was not one person who spoke french at reception, I think it was in NYC.

 

 

[letrangere]

an international hotel and there was not one person who spoke french at reception,

This is a common complaint amongst the French abroad, even expats.  M   

[Andrewjspencer]

I can account for one french woman living in Hornchurch.

My wife has a number of French friends in this area and into Essex all of whom seem to have married Englishmen, stayed put in the SE and made a go of things. When out and about we often hear French being spoken and when the travelling french market comes to town then they seem to appear from everywhere (admitedly they complain the prices for cheese and saucisson are too high).

I would agree with the comment that many desire to go home to France eventually  - only natural I suppose and hopefully one day we will follow that chemin too!

[RayB]

[quote]an international hotel and there was not one person who spoke french at reception, This is a common complaint amongst the French abroad, even expats. M[/quote]

And I think they are wrong! It doesn't take much to learn some simple phrases of the language spoken in whatever country they are visiting. That and a phrase book is all that is necessary. It is also common courtesy.

Part of the fun of traveling is making a fool of youself in a different language and laughing at yourself.

[bedders]

My youngest son attends Hull University, and the surprising thing is, that there are a number of students from Brittany, studying business etc. The French girl with whom he shares a house, is there not only for the course, but to improve her English. In Hull?

The grey weather seems to be the downside...... 

[Clarkkent]

My youngest son attends Hull University, and the surprising thing is, that there are a number of students from Brittany.

 

You should not be surprised by this. There have been growing numbers of French students in English universities for several years now.

The reasons?

• Degree almost certain within 3 or 4 years
• Better library and learning support services
• Better non-academic support services
• Learning-centred approach as opposed to teacher-centred approach
• Student-staff interaction
• Encouragement of creativity
• Social environment
• Universities not second class institutions (even the second class universities!)

[Teamedup]

You have said it all Superman. Those are the differences I have heard over the years from french students.

[bedders]

I think you missed the point i was making. It's no surprise to me that there are French students in Britain, the surprise was Hull.

The University is well regarded, but the weather can be a bit depressing, as they have commented to my son. The bit about brushing up English language skills in Hull, was a joke.

[Tourangelle]

I'd add to the list of advantages of French people doing degrees in England that if they get a third nobody here knows what that is.  But how do they manage pay the tuition fees (how do British parents for that matter?

[Teamedup]

French students don't get student loans etc. One has to be resident in the UK for three full years to be eligible for the loans etc. So the parents pay, or  perhaps they are eligible to some help from the conseil generale in their region of France.

How do british parents pay. Well that is up to them really. I know of kids who get next to nothing from their parents, their parents simply could not afford to give it and these young people have got through it all very well and others who have everything given to them on a plate. 

[bedders]

It's really tough for parents & students alike in the UK.

Our eldest, who graduated 3 years ago, now has a mortgage, a young daughter, and student debt of around £7000.

The youngest, who is in 3rd year, but going on for a Masters, has debts of £14000+ and this is with all the help we can give him.

Soon the tuition fees could treble, and i shudder to think what the debts of some of these students will be. They certainly wont be able to buy a house.

I'm not sure what the answer is, but to carry on this way is not a long term option IMHO.

[Teamedup]

beddars the debt is one thing, the repayments are quite another and have never been high. It is nothing new in the world whereby students have to repay debts over many years. I have never heard one former student tell me that the repayments are crippling as yet.

[Russethouse]

My daughter has to repay her loan and I think if she were (by some miracle)to want a mortgage, the student debt would count against her.

Its true the repayments are not high, but there are other considerations such as that.

[Pucette<P><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3>Pucette<FONT><P><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt">"Qui ne connaît pas la campagne lhiver, ne connaît pas la campagne et ne connaît pas]

The French community in London centres around South Kensington, or used to.

I have met French people living all over the UK - notably Scotland, the Midlands and East Anglia as well as the South East.