Moving Across the World (during a Pandemic)
Of course, in an unstable world economy, American political unrest, and a global health crisis, I believed it was a spectacular idea to move to France by myself to become a teaching assistant for French students willing to learn English. It has almost been a month since I have arrived in France and just about settled in. Here was my flight experience…
Pre-flight
the only important thing I didn’t bring :(
Months before I had my flight in October, I went through an emotional/mental rollercoaster because of the preparations I needed to leave the country. After I got accepted to the TAPIF program in June, the United States was under a red list of Travel Restrictions from Europe, thus making every document I needed delayed (however at this point, I was not sure when or how I was going to get these documents.)
Here is what I needed to put my butt on a plane to another country : Working document (Arrête de nomination) —> Federal background check —> Visa application —> VISA appointment —> Passport to be returned —> Plane ticket —> COVID test
The fact was, the pandemic did its part to drop an ocean of uncertainty into everything I did to prepare to move. My working contract started on October first, but at this point it seemed impossible. When am I going to get my working document? I don’t know. Will I still be able to go to France as an American? I don’t know. As a Type-A Virgo, uncertainty and disorganization stressed me the fuck out. I e-mailed so many people so many times to get what I needed, but really it was a matter of time that someone would send my arrête de nomination in September (a month later than I should have received it.) This made my VISA process compacted into one month so I can get to France ASAP. Thankfully, this was the time where my working visa was allowed in France.
In an international flight during a pandemic, a negative COVID test was ESSENTIAL. They expected that I get a PCR COVID test within 72 hours of my flight AND get my results within that timeframe. I read nothing but horror stories of other assistants paying 200$ for a test just to get the results in time, or the airlines denied them of boarding for having the wrong hour/time or type of test. So, to combat having to pay a ridiculous amount of money, I took 3 PCR tests within 2 days from 3 different locations in Los Angeles County. All to also minimize the risks that could happen. I even emailed the Los Angeles French consulate for an exemption of testing, just to be extra secure.
I received all my COVID results on time, however, only one of them was workable to my situation. One result did not have the correct timestamp of when I took the test, which would have the airline deny me, and the second one did not indicate that it was a PCR test which the airline can deny me too. So it was good that I did the 3, because the third one checked all boxes.
So by the day before my flight, I had my passport, VISA, COVID results, Attestation de déplacement (a document promising I will quarantine for 14 days after my arrival), Arrête, and a folder of 4 extra copies of each document I had with me. All essential for international travel during a pandemic.
Flight
When I arrived in Tom Bradley terminal in Los Angeles on a Sunday at around noon, the place was virtually empty. The international terminal of the biggest airport in Los Angeles was empty on a weekend. It seemed so eerie, especially how busy 24/7 this terminal usually was. In a pandemic, I guess I could have run zigzags to get to the check in counter without bumping into anyone.
While I was checking in my luggage, the passenger on the next counter over was yelling at the flight attendant telling him that he did not know that he had to have a COVID test. YIKES dude where have you been. Thankfully I am always extra prepared.
I successfully checked in my luggage, and going through security was weirdly a breeze. Again did I mention I was in the LA airport (this is not normal.) Then waited at my gate… for four hours past my flight. There was about 30 other people on this flight and had the entire terminal to ourselves for those 4 hours. Unfortunately, the flight ended up cancelled that night and rescheduled to the next day.
And during this unfortunate event, angry passengers complain to each other and eventually make friends. I ended up making friends with another UCR graduate (what a small world) and learned that she received a Love Visa which allowed her to visit her boyfriend in France for a few months. I did not know this existed, but I am happy to know it does. Times are tough, but life and love should go on!
The next day however, I was able to get through my flight :) I had an entire row to myself window to window. It was the most comfortable flight of my life. I can lay down, watch 3 different shows at the same time, stretch. The flight attendants even offered food multiple times because there were so little people on the flight, there was a surplus of food. And yes, wearing masks were mandatory.
Post-Flight
After 10 grueling hours on a plane, I have finally landed in CDG Paris. Going through customs was a breeze, but they didn’t check my COVID test again??? and my other documents?? It was weirdly easy to get through, which makes me a little concerned about other travelers who might have surpass officials with these essential documents but OH WELL I’m in.
Finally I saw my fellow UCR graduate reunite with her love, and we proceeded to take a 30 minute train ride to Paris. Thankfully, her boyfriend knew how to get around so I didn’t get lost.
They got off a stop early from me since I had to take another train at a different station to get to the city of Orléans. Once I got to the train station, I had time to kill and quickly visited the Notre Dame. Then it hit me. I was in freaking France.
Eating a McDonalds meal while staring at the cathedral in the pouring rain by myself in my sweaty, disgusting airport outfit, I felt so happy to be here. I felt that all my stress and hard work to get here finally paid off. I have been planning to teach abroad since the beginning of my college career and its happening! During quarantine in California, I sold all my beloved clothes to earn as much as I can to sustain myself until I got my first paycheck. Here, I can finally be fully independent!
After my existential crisis, I boarded another hour long train ride to Orléans and walked 25 minutes to my new home. I am telling you this right now — Rolling a 50 lb luggage on cobblestones while carrying a 25 lb backpack and an oddly shaped ukulele bag was not it.
But alas, I have reached my destination. I ended my day having a late dinner with my landlords. They did not speak any English, so I really had to pull through with all the French words I had dusting away in my brain because I haven’t spoken the language for a year. But I love challenges, and thats why I am here. To learn and educate :)