v-Fluence Blog

Telecommuting from France

Upon return from what was meant to be a nine-month long, post-collegiate adventure teaching English in central-western France, I found myself faced with a problem: I really wanted to go back. The challenge: finding the financial means to support one more year of the idyllic Euro-lifestyle I had come to love.

After hours of Internet searching and conversations with the French embassy and friends, I soon realized that my task was a formidable one. Due to a painful combination of economic and political issues regarding the hiring of non-EU citizens, I quickly realized that I had two options: return jobless and hope to find employment on site, or work like crazy at home in order to afford an extended vacation.

Weeks into my search, I was rejuvenated by a call with Cheryl Byrne, my former manager at V-Fluence, a predominantly virtual public affairs firm that I worked for on a part-time basis the previous summer. I shared my dream of returning to France and the challenges and frustrations that had surfaced with Cheryl. We agreed that returning to working for the virtual company would be a good fit for me—why not go to France and work for V-Fluence?! My excitement at this surprise opportunity was great. I would be engaged in progressive work with people I related to, and from the country I loved! I immediately began coordinating living arrangements in Bordeaux and the application for a work VISA starting in October.

While I’m preparing for and negotiating my move, I have fantasies about my future lifestyle. Weekend vineyard adventures and working at my computer in a small Bordeaux apartment with a café au lait and chocolate croissant next to my mouse are among the more delicious. I’ve also begun to ponder how working for an American virtual public affairs company will mesh with living in a French environment. I expect to discover French views and European technological trends, as well, which will only help me gain a better understanding of the issues I’ll be researching.

Obviously, there will be some challenges operating from the other side of the Atlantic. Separation from both the French and American physical corporate world means I’ll have to put in a considerable effort to maintain communication with both my American colleagues and developing my French social circle. Moreover, working six-to-nine hours ahead of my U.S. co-workers will certainly provide an additional challenge; still, it’s nice knowing my emails will be the first ones they receive in the morning!

In the end, my adventure is not complete. This virtual job means that I will be an integral part of the corporate world, up to date on U.S. news (from both an American and French perspective!) and able to keep in touch easily through e-mail with my American friends. Setting my own work schedule allows me to focus on the hours in which I’m most productive… and on breaks, stroll downstairs and grab a canelé or baguette! I couldn’t ask for a better introduction to the corporate arena – setting up my own office in a location of my own choosing! Here’s to cozy dinners of Bordeaux wine and cheese and a view of the Garonne while seated at my computer in another world.

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