Paris group promises help to ‘live your best life’

An association in Paris has been bringing together English-speakers to learn, create and socialise for nearly 50 years. 

WICE (Where Internationals Connect in English) started life in 1978 when three Americans, in collaboration with the American University of Paris, began developing courses to help US women enter the French workforce. 

Since then the organisation has evolved as it has attracted new members. Where it was once focused on further education for women, today it is a vibrant community numbering almost 500, which hosts a huge range of classes, workshops and events for both women and men. 

It aims to help members live a full life in France, often through learning and leaning into their interests. 

“WICE is about community and learning new skills. It is also about accessing some of the human knowledge you need to really make your life work in France,” says WICE’s president, Pamela Combastet.

“It’s about how to live your best life here.” 

From swotting up on French in one of WICE’s language classes, to delving into the country’s literature or history, the organisation promises to help newcomers better integrate into their adopted country. 

Ms Combastet’s involvement with the group dates from taking part in its Paris Writers Workshop, a week-long event that brings in teachers and writers for classes and talks. 

It has been running for 24 years and is one of the highlights of the WICE calendar. 

“I took the workshop and I thought: ‘I have to get more involved with these people.’ I felt like I was part of a community and that was exciting,” she says.

“I think many people come to WICE because they want to meet new people and make new friends.

“Sometimes language does matter. My husband is French and I live a very French life, but every now and then I'm just glad to speak English with people who get it and get me.”

Improving language skills is nevertheless important. French classes are available at beginner, intermediate and advanced levels, and WICE also organises French/English conversation groups. 

In addition, it tries to put French into context through classes specifically on French novels or films, for example, or history tours of the capital. 

“I think a lot of the people in WICE want to learn skills such as the language, study the nuances, and be able to participate at a deeper level in the community they are in,” says Ms Combastet.

Other WICE events include book clubs, walks and yoga, as well as creative writing, pub quizzes and classes to improve IT skills. 

There are regular food-focused meet-ups too, including cheese and wine evenings. 

Activities on just one recent afternoon included a needlework class, mindfulness and meditation session, a group exploring French history through novels, and an afternoon of pétanque. 

There is a proud focus on literature; as well as the Paris Writers Workshop, there are regular courses and reading groups. Current options include ‘Murder They Read’, exploring the mystery genre, and ‘Tea and Tattered Pages’, which delves into poetry through readings, talks and workshops. 

Some courses are free. Others, such as language lessons that necessitate a teacher being brought in, are not.

The social side of WICE is just as important as learning new skills. Members get together for a weekly Saturday morning coffee and there are regular apèros. 

These are a good way for anyone interested in finding out more about WICE to get involved, Ms Combastet says. 

People are encouraged to sign up to events or social gatherings online in advance, to give organisers an idea of how many people will attend. 

If you like the idea of the association after attending a social, you can become a member via its website. 

Many members ultimately become volunteers, running a class or tour and sharing their passions or interests. 

“It’s about figuring out what you want to do and what you want to learn and also, really importantly, giving back,” says Ms Combastet, who plans to launch a children’s literature class.

“I hope future members get what I got, which is a sense of belonging, a sense of finding someone who can help, a sense of knowing that you’re not alone in your interests.” 

Membership starts at €50/year for individuals, and €75/year for couples. 

For people who are only in Paris for a short time, WICE also offers a three-month individual membership for €25, or a three-month joint membership for €40.

Find out more here.