Here is a compilation of tips, stories and insights about my own TAPIF experience. They date from 2015-2018 so you should take them with a grain of salt… There may be details that have changed since I was an assistant !
Check out my TAPIF Timeline for a complete overview of when I submitted what and to whom!
Preparing to TAPIF !
So you think you can TAPIF?
With TAPIF applications in the US due in the next few days, I am sure many hopefuls will be curiously Google searching tips and advice, … More So you think you can TAPIF?
The Waiting Game: making it through the long summer before TAPIF
April 1st, 2015: I woke up in the morning to a text from my friend Giulia: Attention aux poissons sur ton dos! I arrived at … More The Waiting Game: making it through the long summer before TAPIF
Trip to the Embassy!
Last week, I completed another step in my journey towards France: The Visa Appointment. I’m very lucky because I live so close to my regional … More Trip to the Embassy!
My Suitcase Can Only Weigh HOW MANY Pounds?! And other packing concerns.
I’ve gotten a few questions recently about packing for TAPIF. Figuring out what to bring for seven months, in a strange country, for a professional … More My Suitcase Can Only Weigh HOW MANY Pounds?! And other packing concerns.
To TAPIF or not to TAPIF, that is the Question
Since returning home, I’ve felt more and more like I’ve been living a double life. In my first weeks back home, I was so surprised by the number of times I described myself as having “just graduated” which I suspect is because taking a year to teach English is France feels so unconnected to the rest of my experience learning and creating and teaching theatre, to the point where I feel like it didn’t even happen. I am striving now to find avenues to connect my professional and personal life to my experience in France, so I can feel like it was worth it, like it meant something in the greater scope of my life, but it’s not easy. … More To TAPIF or not to TAPIF, that is the Question
Ladies and Gentlemen, An Announcement!
That’s right everyone. I have an announcement! An important announcement!! An announcement worthy of a fanfare opening! Look, I’ve even provided one for you. I’ll … More Ladies and Gentlemen, An Announcement!
the vicious TAPIF cycle
Recently I found a notebook that I bought in Chambéry and used throughout my year as an assistant. Tucked among the pages, I found a … More the vicious TAPIF cycle
Every. Vote. Matters. – How to vote from abroad
In the past 24 hours, I inadvertently sent myself down a 9/11 rabbit hole, beginning with this extremely well done Politico feature about the reporters, advisors … More Every. Vote. Matters. – How to vote from abroad
Académie d’Aix-Marseille: Anne in Marseille
I wrote this guest post for Alexandra’s excellent series on different TAPIF assistants’ experience in the various regions of France. With 2017-18 applications coming up, … More Académie d’Aix-Marseille: Anne in Marseille
Living in France – Chambéry and Marseille
Life in Limbo
My first days in Chambéry, though thrilling, included probably the most anxiety-filled moments I have ever lived. Why? you ask. How could you possibly be stressed … More Life in Limbo
The Great Marseille Apartment Hunt of 2016
The wily explorer arrived to the Marseillais jungle with an accommodation booked for one week, and one goal: to finally capture a rare wild apartment. … More The Great Marseille Apartment Hunt of 2016
The chicken.
One of my French teachers once observed the difference between French and English: English has a million words which all have the same definition. French has … More The chicken.
Home is where the Turkey is
There are plenty of things to be thankful for when you live in a foreign country: being in a lovely city filled with friends and … More Home is where the Turkey is
Is France the Most Romantic Country in the World??
France has a fair amount of stereotypes: the country of cheese, snails and romance. The latter in particular seems to be an idea constantly perpetuated … More Is France the Most Romantic Country in the World??
I Heart Chambery: anniversary edition!
I had the idea to fill this National Geographic questionnaire out from fellow TAPIF blogger Hardly Snarky, who wrote about her city of Aix-en Provence. I … More I Heart Chambery: anniversary edition!
Winter. Or, how many times can I write the word snow in one post*?
Living in between three giant mountains has its perks…namely the stunning views and the easy access to hundreds of hikes and walks. And, one would … More Winter. Or, how many times can I write the word snow in one post*?
small talk
“March 26 – The bus driver chatted me up for 10 minutes about his BLUEGRASS BAND after taking the wrong route.” The bus I rode … More small talk
#journéeinoubliable
Prologue May 2, 14:35 A lot of work went into this very moment. Months of planning, whispering, stressing….
Même pas peur
Full disclosure*: I started writing this post over a week ago. I have been reading and talking and muddling through these pretty complicated issues and though … More Même pas peur
J’écoute: songs for remembering
I love music. Not in the fanatic, must-have-something-playing-at-all-times way, but I am a strong appreciator of nearly all musical genres. Although my musical tastes are not … More J’écoute: songs for remembering
Thanks / No Thanks
Well, all of a sudden I’ve been in France for a full month! Boy has it flown by or what?! Little by little I’ve been … More Thanks / No Thanks
18 mars – questions for france
Why don’t pencils have erasers attached? Is the obsession with writing only in pen the secret work of the White-out lobby? Why do grown adults use scooters as … More 18 mars – questions for france
8 mars – 20 steps to perfect crêpes
Crêpes are known as French pancakes, but they’re really so much more than that. They can be eaten with sweet jams, nutella, or syrups or … More 8 mars – 20 steps to perfect crêpes
4 mars – Things that I do in France that I don’t do at home
Eat yogurt When you first come to France, you expect the grocery store aisles of cheese and wine, but you don’t expect an equally long … More 4 mars – Things that I do in France that I don’t do at home
So, do you like living here?
I am asked ALL THE TIME why I decided to come to France, if I like it (obviously), and what I like most about living … More So, do you like living here?
Working as a Language Assistant – Lesson ideas and Anecdotes
What to Expect as a Primary English Assistant : 8 Questions and Answers
After my first TAPIF placement in Chambéry, I noticed that much of the TAPIF blogging community focuses on assistants in … More What to Expect as a Primary English Assistant : 8 Questions and Answers
Primary Assistant FAQ
In my time obsessively stalking all TAPIF blogs past, current and future, I’ve noticed the prevalence of secondary assistants across the interweb. It makes sense: there are way more of them! There are commonalities between the expectations and experiences of primary and secondary assistants, but seeing as most of the info out there seems to be geared towards the secondary level, I want to share some ideas that will be specifically helpful to current and future primary assistants, as they can be very different jobs. … More Primary Assistant FAQ
Flashcard games!
Here we go, current/future assistants, just in time for the start of your contracts. My favorite, easiest games that require … More Flashcard games!
Art Lessons to do with your Primary Students
One of my regular duties as an English teaching assistant was teaching weekly arts plastiques lessons for CP and CE1 (1st … More Art Lessons to do with your Primary Students
27 mars – clues
Today I had a lot of different slices in my head, but I can’t seem to get any of them … More 27 mars – clues
Starting a Pen Pal Exchange
In my two years of language assistant-ing one of my favorite activities has been establishing pen pal correspondences between my … More Starting a Pen Pal Exchange
Is TAPIF a “real job” ?
For the past few years, April has been a grab bag of various bittersweet emotions… In 2014, I was about … More Is TAPIF a “real job” ?
Je vous présente…
Let me introduce you to my school!! Name: Groupe Scolaire Concorde (The school is actually made up of two schools: … More Je vous présente…
Observations, Thoughts & Impressions on French schools
I have now spent about 3 weeks at Ecole Concorde, observing, assisting, teaching, etc. Here are a few of my … More Observations, Thoughts & Impressions on French schools
All of the Lights: Christmas in “secular” France
The Christmas season arrived swiftly in France. Although the French are as unaware about Thanksgiving as the rest of the … More All of the Lights: Christmas in “secular” France
Today, I was 9 minutes late to class
The #4 bus has somewhat of an unpredictable schedule. Sometimes it leaves early, leaving me stranded on the sidewalk. Sometimes … More Today, I was 9 minutes late to class
keeping it 💯
Today was the 100th Day of School, and we all celebrated being 100 days smarter! Imagine my surprise when my … More keeping it 💯
two very different lessons
This afternoon, I sat in on a lesson the school counselor was giving to my mom’s class of 3rd graders. … More two very different lessons
7 mars – English is hard
English is hard. Well, sometimes it’s easy: no crazy verb conjugations, no gendered nouns to memorize and accord with adjectives, … More 7 mars – English is hard
Travelling anecdotes – because when else will you have 8 weeks of paid vacation in Europe ?!
10 mars – Top Ten Cities in France, So Far
Yesterday, I enjoyed reading a variety of “list posts” and, as I am lacking in inspiration today, I am following suit. And so, for the 10th of … More 10 mars – Top Ten Cities in France, So Far
Hiking in Marseille’s calanques: part 1
Stretching along the coast from Marseille to Cassis is one of France’s most unique national parks: the Parc National des Calanques. Whether by sea or … More Hiking in Marseille’s calanques: part 1
Five Things to Do With Your Free Time Instead of Travelling
A few weeks ago, a fellow TAPIF assistant and blogger, Anne à l’aventure, published a post about reasons NOT to travel, which got me thinking… It … More Five Things to Do With Your Free Time Instead of Travelling
Vacation: Travels, Halloween, and the Great Assistant Reunification
Yes, you read that right. Vacation!! After working for less than two weeks, we had two weeks off for La Toussaint vacation. In fact, French schools have … More Vacation: Travels, Halloween, and the Great Assistant Reunification
Benvenuti in Italia
As brilliantly put by my good friend Julia: “Useful Italian words known: 0 Italian swearwords known: 6788984765658 Hello Turin!” The pack of Italian friends I … More Benvenuti in Italia
City of Masks: Unmasked, or Christmas in Venice
Ahhh January 25th. The perfect day to talk about December 25th! The holidays can be a tricky time of year when you’re away from home. … More City of Masks: Unmasked, or Christmas in Venice
Marseille: city of contradictions
Another six weeks of school, another two week vacation. And this time we wanted to get the heck out of the snow and mountains, so … More Marseille: city of contradictions
Three Girls Go on Spring Break. What Happens Next Will Surprise You!
In Chambéry, I was blessed to have several groups of friends who I adore and hope to stay in contact with for many more years … More Three Girls Go on Spring Break. What Happens Next Will Surprise You!
Postcard from London
Once upon a time, many moons ago, I went to London. I had originally planned to go way back in February to see a play … More Postcard from London
5️⃣🏘🇮🇹
Today is the first day of NaBloPoMo/NanoPoblano aka National Blog Posting Month! I’m going to (attempt to) make a post each day in the month … More 5️⃣🏘🇮🇹
11 mars – hiking aux Goudes
2:40 PM Text message from Mom: Now they are calling for a snow storm on Tuesday!! I may finally get a snow day off from … More 11 mars – hiking aux Goudes
13 mars – priorities
One of the best things about teaching in France are the school holidays. For each 6 weeks of school, we have a 2 week vacation– … More 13 mars – priorities
When in Provence…
In April, one of my best friends came to visit me in Marseille all the way from Chicago! Laura and I spent a couple of … More When in Provence…
Wandering feet Wandering mind
I’m on day 3 of 10 days of traveling during school vacation and I’ve already walked 30+ miles in dirty keds and two pairs of … More Wandering feet Wandering mind
presentperfectblog.com 
I’m glad you posted this even though it’s about tapif! Think I could get some tips from it for my own trip if i become an auxiliar in Spain 🙂
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