Summary:
Olivier Wagner shares his journey of living in different countries, including France, the US, Canada, and Mexico. He discusses his experiences studying in the US and the differences in campus life compared to France. Olivier also talks about his time in New York City and the cultural exposure he had there. He then shares his impressions of living in Canada, particularly in Montreal, and the cultural differences between English-speaking and French-speaking Canadians. Finally, he discusses his current experience in Mexico and the ease of travel and living there. In this conversation, James Doran discusses his experiences living abroad and the cultural differences he encountered. He talks about the differences between Canadian French and French from France, including the use of old words and literal translations from English. He also shares his thoughts on language evolution and the importance of being curious when living abroad. James provides advice for those considering living abroad, such as the benefits of moving to Quebec as a stepping stone into North America. He also discusses his business, 1040 Abroad, which helps Americans living overseas with their tax returns.
Takeaways
- Living in different countries provides unique cultural experiences and perspectives.
- Campus life in the US is different from Europe, with a focus on enclosed campuses and limited access to the city.
- New York City offers a diverse and international environment, with opportunities for cultural exploration.- There are cultural differences between English-speaking and French-speaking Canadians.
- Mexico provides an open and welcoming environment for travelers and expats. Living abroad allows for a deeper understanding of cultural differences and perspectives.
- Canadian French differs from French spoken in France, with the use of old words and literal translations from English.
- Being curious is essential when living abroad, as it helps to navigate and appreciate new experiences.
- Moving to Quebec can be a good stepping stone for those interested in living in North America.
- 1040 Abroad provides tax return services for Americans living overseas and helps with compliance and renunciation of US citizenship.
Sound Bites
"I lived in France until 2004, then studied in Louisiana and worked in New York."
"I joined an accounting firm in Montreal and became a CPA."
"Mexico was open throughout COVID-19 and saw an opportunity in having foreigners stay."
"The melody was a way to cross off. It was quite a common one I used a lot."
"Sometimes you can say whether it's an old French word that they're still using. Sometimes you can say whether it's a literal English translation."
"I always feel that you speak your story, you speak English as a second language, especially from some parts of Europe. They speak American English."
1040abroad.com
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Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Background
11:26 Living and Working in Canada
33:52 Living Abroad and Language Differences
42:01 The Importance of Curiosity and Cultural Differences
51:09 Advice for Living Abroad and Moving to Quebec
56:03 Advice for Americans Living Abroad
01:04:03 1040 Abroad: Assisting Americans with Tax Returns
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