cpetit

Since Feb 2020

Mamoudzou, Mayotte

2015 - May 2019

Koudougou, Centre-Ouest, Burkina Faso

As an expatriate's wife (according to the established term), I lead a very privileged life in the bush in the Sanguié province, some 3 hours' drive from the capital Ouagadougou. I love the way of life, the culture, the nature, the authenticity of this country. So I had no trouble adapting to my environment.
As far as my professional life is concerned, it is far from what I had predicted. Far from the capital, expatriate wife, white woman too, too competent (I quote for some).. I was unable to find a job although ready to move to the capital if necessary. I therefore decided to create my own company to develop my activities in Burkina Faso but also in Ivory Coast. Although a few projects remain today, the economic and cultural context as well as my current position considerably slow down the deployment of my projects.
The nature, authenticity, culture, kindness and spontaneity of the population (even if financial interest is often the source), the way of life and many other things. Africa is lived, felt. It's like another heart beating...
The state of poverty maintained for the sole benefit of a few (national and international).

Oct 2011 - Jul 2015

Nouméa, South Province, New Caledonia

Islander by birth, I generally led a very pleasant life in New Caledonia. I had the chance to meet people on certain social networks which facilitated my installation but above all my integration into the New Caledonian environment. This is an important point because being integrated is not easy even on an island said to be close to paradise.
I was lucky, again, thanks to numerous approaches via professional networks, to be advised, supported and above all selected by a Caledonian company which marked my professional career. On the recommendations of several online connections with knowledge of the New Caledonian context, I invested in a stay dedicated to meetings with contacts interested in my profile. Except in exceptional cases (expatriate contract for example), it is essential to take this step beforehand to ensure your motivation and reinforce the interest you have. A few months later, my hiring was confirmed for a management position, which allowed me to settle in New Caledonia with my son.
I love my remaining friends, the magnificent landscapes of New Caledonia but also of the neighboring islands, the permanent atmosphere on the bays (Baie des Citrons, Anse Vata), the wilder life of the north of the island and my husband who I met there.
New Caledonia (like others) has another side to its coin. Many people, relying only on the superb images available on the internet, idealize the idea of ​​another "paradise" life. We must strongly put things into perspective. There are many people who after a few years, or even a few months, start again with a failure. Remoteness (expensive ticket prices), often integration problems (difficulty in making local connections), relatively high standard of living (food, rent), notable delinquency (burglaries, car thefts, assaults too), "ethnic" security problems, reinforced protection of recently legislated local employment, political instability, independence projects, etc. You must therefore prepare your project well and obtain information before making an impactful decision. The grass is never greener elsewhere, it's just different.

Bois de Nèfles, Reunion Island

My native island... I spent more than 40 years there.