PIRLET Anne Françoise
Belgian expat in France
Forum posts
2507
Contacts
35
About me
Belgian
Lives in Royan, Région Poito
Speaks Français, anglais
Registration: 06 March 2018
About
Occupation
I am Retired.
My expat journey
Royan, Poitou-Charentes, France
Continue my life.
I already knew France well geographically because the Belgians love to spend holidays there.
I have the audacity to believe that I know this country, humanly speaking, because before acquiring a second home there in 2015, I held a "Bachelor of Sciences in Education" from the University of Toulouse; and that, while working in Lausanne, in the 1990s, I lived for 5 and a half years in Hôpitaux-Neufs (F-25370, department of Doubs)
Retired
The sunny Atlantic climate - The sea - The landscapes of the hinterland where old salt marshes (often become oyster beds), crops and forests are balanced.
A city on a human scale, lively all year round... but really crowded from July 15 to August 25.
The “tourist trap” restaurants by the sea. The Charente nationals are not far from the Swiss in terms of reserve in social relationships, but fortunately on this side, I have practice!
Vallorbe, Vaud, Switzerland
32 years of professional career in Lausanne: Nurse at CHUV; then HES Teacher in Nursing.
Nurse at CHUV,
then HES Teacher in Nursing
- In Lausanne
The numerous opportunities for professional development; employers who push you to increase your professional skills.
Good maintenance of public spaces: cleanliness, security, maintenance.
The principle of subsidiarity.
The place acquired by women in politics, even though the right to vote was only granted to them in 1971, or even later in certain cantons.
What I miss the most since I've been in France (we discover it over time...)
- TSR: French-speaking Swiss television, the only TV that would suffice on a desert island... and SwisscomTV (= Internet Box, etc.) even if it is a little overpriced
- lamb/bison/ostrich fillets as available and especially cut in Switzerland
- Vaudois rosé and white wines; Malvasia (soft white) from Valais (Provins).
- Gruyère double cream; Gruyère d'Etivaz and Vacherin Fribourgeois: you can find them in France, but due to lack of flow, they are too dry or ammoniated.
The difficulty in establishing simple, warm and intimate relationships with the country's nationals.
A social organization (school hours, daycare, etc.) not at all favorable to a full-time professional career (40 to 44 hours/week) for a mother.
The rental value tax which ended up, once retired, forcing me to part with my house for which I had made a lot of sacrifices and which I held dearly.
Switzerland is not in favor of home ownership for everyone; this is why the majority remain tenants, which is completely contrary to my Belgian culture (the Belgians have "a brick in the stomach" according to the established expression).
Liège, Wallonia, Belgium
Being born and becoming an adult...
Nurse
The ease of human contact anywhere: at the bus stop, at the butcher's shop between customers, in the hospital waiting room between patients, in the restaurant...
Cooking, baking, particularly Liège waffles stuffed with fruit; Moroccan restaurants where we eat couscous méchoui; cold meats; peeled gray shrimp, smoked eel, Zeeland mussels.
The North Sea.
It is a very united society through different networks: Catholic Church, Freemasonry, unions, political parties, but ultimately the individual no longer knows whether he has reached a particular social and professional position thanks to his own qualities, or because he has benefited from the right support.
Activity
Working as medical specialist in switzerland by lookingforop
Hi,I have a spanish friend, gynecologist, with a german degree who's looking to move from spain and one of her options was Switzerland. She's been asking around because apparently she needs to have had 3 years of training in switzerland before she ...
@Juba_3You can find the answer to your question here:https://www.expat.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=1051286 Read More
Working as medical specialist in switzerland by lookingforop
Hi,I have a spanish friend, gynecologist, with a german degree who's looking to move from spain and one of her options was Switzerland. She's been asking around because apparently she needs to have had 3 years of training in switzerland before she ...
@lookingforopHello !I have translated your message into French so that you can post it on the French-speaking part of the Swiss Forum which is much more active regarding medical issues.Also specify your nationality; as well as the country where you ... Read More
Schools and livable areas with kids in Geneva by annekoch80
Hi all, my family and I are German and we are considering to move to Geneva for work in 2024. Can you give me any recommendation in terms of schools and areas to live in with kids (4 and 6 years old) in Geneva? I am very grateful for any tipps!All ...
@annekoch80Hello,You should get more answers if you post in french on expat.com/fr Read More
Legal leaves in Belgium as a newcomer by llyololl
I was informed that by local law you have to wait until the next year to claim any holidays as a worker. Then my helpful colleagues informed me you can, through certain institutes, provide proofs to the hr of their company you are studying outside ...
@llyololl The rule is as follows: in Belgium, you deserve paid leave proportional to the working months of the previous calendar year (January-December); or depending on the study months of the previous academic year (September-August) - this last ... Read More