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My life’s dream was to live and work in the United States. Coming from France, a different country, on a different continent, with different customs and lifestyles, I didn’t really know what to expect. Nevertheless, at 19 years old, I decided to make the move.

I have only been here for a month and a half, but I already feel I made the right choice. Today, I will try to point out the differences between life in France and life in the USA.

The first thing I noticed is that everything here is bigger. The distances, the supermarkets, the cars, the buildings, the size of all the different products, the parking spaces. When in downtown Philadelphia, I felt tiny compared to the size of things–a feeling that I never felt back in Paris. I think the most surprising thing I saw was the 44oz (1.30L) cup at Wawa. For example, the biggest cup you would be able to get at a McDonald’s in France would be 17oz (0.50L).

Prices are also very different. For instance, would you be ready to pay $8 a gallon for gas? Well, that is the price we have in France (average 1€60 per Liter). We can also compare fast-food restaurants. Not only do we have less variety, prices are also more expensive. The basic Big Mac combo with fries and a drink is almost double the price (when transferred from $ to €). On the other hand, fruits and vegetables are less expensive (usually).

I think that the hardest change for me would be the units. Switching from Liters, Meters, Grams, Celsius to Gallons, Feet/Miles, Ounces/Pounds and Fahrenheit is pretty complicated. I will admit that all the technology that surrounds me is still European style. I even brought my keyboard from France!

On an office side, the general atmosphere is friendlier here. Even though I haven’t worked in many companies, and it might be the AYC Media feel; I find it better and easier to work over here. Just the fact that you can give your opinion is something different. I also like the fact that there are reunions after work at restaurants or events organized outside the work space. That is something that would never happen in France. Same thing with dressing up for Halloween–AYC Media is organizing a pumpkin carving contest, and everyone is going to dress up. Lots of companies in France would find this disturbing and wouldn’t organize anything like this. They’d probably ban such things, honestly.