How to Stay Connected to Your Culture While Living Abroad
Living abroad is an extraordinary human and professional adventure. But over time, many expatriates feel a deep need to stay connected to their culture of origin. When you leave France to live elsewhere, certain habits, traditions, or simple pleasures may start to feel distant.
In this article, we share simple and authentic ways to nurture that cultural connection and keep French culture alive in your daily life—wherever you are in the world.
Why it's essential to preserve your culture while living abroad
The identity link with your origins
Culture isn’t just a language or cuisine. It’s a strong anchor of identity. It shapes us, connects us to our history, our childhood memories, and our values. As an expatriate, preserving that link means continuing to nurture what is truly part of who we are.
The importance of cultural grounding for emotional well-being
Far from familiar reference points, it’s common to experience a certain emotional drift—feelings of isolation, nostalgia, or disorientation. Reconnecting with your culture on a daily basis helps you feel aligned, grounded, and at peace. It acts as an inner compass to navigate the ups and downs of expatriate life.
5 practical ways to stay connected to French culture while living abroad
1. Speak French daily, even while abroad
There’s nothing like regularly speaking your native language. Whether with loved ones, by joining local French-speaking groups, or through reading, it’s a simple yet powerful way to stay connected to yourself.
2. Celebrate French holidays and traditions
Candlemas, Bastille Day, Christmas, Galette des Rois… These symbolic celebrations shape the rhythm of the year in France. Why not celebrate them abroad—on your own, with family, or with fellow expatriates? These moments are great opportunities to connect and pass on your culture.
3. Stay connected with French-speaking media
Online press, podcasts, radio stations, YouTube channels — there are many ways to stay informed and entertained in French, wherever you are. It’s also a way to keep up with cultural news and still feel a bit “at home.”
4. Join communities of French expatriates
French expatriate groups are often very active in major cities around the world. Meetups, events, mutual support: these spaces allow you to share a common culture and regain that comforting sense of belonging.
Cook French-style: a ritual deeply rooted in the culture
In France, cooking is much more than a daily routine: it’s a way of life, a moment of sharing, a childhood memory. Making a homemade tart, pot-au-feu, or quiche Lorraine can bring back a true taste of France… even at the other end of the world.
Food: a fundamental pillar of French culture
Gastronomy is undoubtedly one of the most powerful symbols of French culture. It embodies pleasure, sharing, and tradition. Recreating recipes from home, discovering local products that remind you of France, and taking the time to set a beautiful table—all these are ways to preserve the French art of living, even far from the Hexagon.
Experiencing French cuisine, even far from home
What if you could rediscover the soul of French gastronomy… wherever you are?
That’s exactly what the program “In the Kitchen with Chef Pauline Billaud” offers. Designed especially for French-speaking expatriates, this culinary retreat is a wellness and gourmet break, crafted to bring back the flavors, techniques, and rituals of French cooking.For several days, Pauline Billaud, a passionate and dedicated chef, invites you to cook, taste, share, and explore the treasures of French gastronomy in a friendly and supportive atmosphere—right in your country of expatriation.