Melinda, American citizen

Melinda

@mtbianchi

Member

American citizen

Forum posts

Contacts

American, Married

Lives in Harrisonburg, Virginia

Speaks English, French, Lao, Vietnamese, Thai

Registration: 25 September 2012

About Activity

Hello everyone, My name is Melinda. I'm from Harrisonburg, Virginia. I went to Ball State University. I hold a Bachelor of Arts in Biology and a Bachelor of Science in Pre-Medicine. With my degrees finished and medical school on hold, I've decided to travel--the cheapest way I've discovered and for the longest period of time. I was an au pair in Aix-en-Provence, France. Gregoire was 3, the triplets were 11, Nicolas was 13, and Antoine was 14. I lived with the family that I worked for. They are wonderful, wonderful people and I feel like I've known them forever. My host parents became some of my closest friends and the children became brothers and sisters to me. Before I found my host family, I couchsurfed for 3 weeks with a complete stranger while I was interviewing and being interviewed for potential jobs as a nanny. During my first few weeks in France, I began classes at Aix-Marseille University III (Paul C茅zanne University). I was enrolled in the IEFEE program which is specifically designed for non-French speakers. I made a ton of friends there. I'm very keen on meeting new people so I spend a lot of time doing social things. Through that, I met the love of my life. And in December 2013 I married my Frenchie. We now live in the US but plan to move back to France in the future. I was blessed with a great experience, but it was not without a bit of a struggle. If you have any questions about nannying, couchsurfing, traveling abroad, or anything in general, please feel free to contact me!

Interests: camping, Rock music, hiking, learning something new, photography, rock climbing, , shooting guns, fishing, Electronica

I am Employed.

Since Jul 2013

Harrisonburg, Virginia, USA

Oct 2012 - Jul 2013

Meyreuil, Provence-Alpes-C么te d'Azur, France

Sept 2012 - Oct 2012

Aix-en-Provence, Provence-Alpes-C么te d'Azur, France

Aug 2004 - May 2011

Muncie, Indiana, USA

Sept 1986 - Aug 2004

Harrisonburg, Virginia, USA

Activity

mtbianchi replied to a thread

8 years ago

Green card USA - alien criminal record by Pjtiebout85

Hello, I would like to live and work in New York after 4 visits over the past few years using an ESTA. I am 33 years old, single and a UK citizen. However my father is an American citizen and still holds his American passport. My mum and him are ...

I would suggest hiring an immigration attorney. They're expensive and completely worth the money! Read More

mtbianchi replied to a thread

13 years ago

American married to French, hoping to move to USA, green card help?! by kendralee

Hello! I recently got married to my French boyfriend (we actually met on Expatblog - he was my language exchange buddy - awwww!!!). We are currently living in Paris. I have a work visa, soon to be changed to a spouse visa (so no problems with the ...

I will be going through the same thing in about a year or so. Please keep us updated!!! And congratulations!!! Read More

mtbianchi replied to a thread

13 years ago

About study in France by mithu_ahmed

I really need to know about study in france , what should be teh easy way with less expense.

I honestly don't know. In our region, things are normally twice as expensive. Living in Aix-en-Provence is like living in Paris--price-wise. And even with that much knowledge, each institute offers their courses at varying costs depending on ... Read More

mtbianchi replied to a thread

13 years ago

About study in France by mithu_ahmed

I really need to know about study in france , what should be teh easy way with less expense.

I have no information about that area, sorry. I'm only familiar with the south of France. But I'm sure you can search your options on the net Read More

mtbianchi replied to a thread

13 years ago

About study in France by mithu_ahmed

I really need to know about study in france , what should be teh easy way with less expense.

Where are you planning on moving to in France? I can help you from there Read More

mtbianchi replied to a thread

13 years ago

About study in France by mithu_ahmed

I really need to know about study in france , what should be teh easy way with less expense.

It all depends on the area, the institute, and intensity of the program you're looking for. What are you looking to study? I'm doing a year of french language, phonetics, history, business, and journalism under the IEFEE program which is headed ... Read More

mtbianchi replied to a thread

13 years ago

Where should we live in France? by MichelleAC

My husband and I are considering moving to France for his job. He can live anywhere in France as long as he is within 90km of an International Airport. We will have one vehicle. We would like to live in a smaller town/city. I'd like to be within ...

I recently took a trip to Nice, Eze, Monaco, and Cannes!!! ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL!!! You'll love it!!! Try out couchsurfing.com You basically post your travel plans online and people will offer you a place to stay if they have the space. Three of my ... Read More

mtbianchi replied to a thread

13 years ago

Where should we live in France? by MichelleAC

I highly recommend Aix-en-Provence!!! It's in the south of France--just 30 minutes from Marseille so you can get that big city feel if you'd like. Aix isn't a big city so there's a very home-y feeling to it. I absolutely love it here! Most everyone ... Read More

mtbianchi replied to a thread

13 years ago

hows it going with your domestic worker (maid)? by leenak3

Hello, I am currently interning at the International Labour Organization in Geneva and my assignment is to figure out what practices employers and domestic workers are using to negotiate their working time hours. How do you set what time she ...

Hi there, So...I'm an American citizen working as an au pair in France. I told all potential host families that I would abide by 'normal' au pair guidelines for the country of France. I live with my family so I get up when the kids wake up. My host ... Read More

mtbianchi replied to a thread

13 years ago

Anybody in Allauch area in Marseille? by kra3

Hi Friends, Is there anybody in the form hailing from or staying at/near by Allauch region/Marseille? I'd love to meet you when I arrive. I'll be moving there for work & would like to make some friends. I'm learning Spanish & French now a days, ...

Hey there, I don't think we're going out this weekend due to family stuff but I'll get ahold of you next weekend probably Read More

mtbianchi replied to a thread

13 years ago

Anybody in Allauch area in Marseille? by kra3

Hi Arun, There are tons of people your age in Marseille though I'm more of a fan of the scene in Aix where I live. I am often in Marseille visiting my boyfriend and other friends though. If you'd like, I'll introduce you to some people. - Melinda Read More

天美麻豆

Melinda

@mtbianchi

About

Occupation

My expat journey

Harrisonburg, Virginia, USA

Meyreuil, Provence-Alpes-C么te d'Azur, France

Aix-en-Provence, Provence-Alpes-C么te d'Azur, France

Muncie, Indiana, USA

Harrisonburg, Virginia, USA

Activity