young people in rural France are more likely to be both unemployed and lack qualifications than those in urban areas (24.4% compared with 20.8%), according to a recent report for the Conseil économique, social et environnemental (CESE).
However, youth unemployment, when viewed separately, is lower in these areas (25.1% compared with 27.1% in urban areas). The report also found that young people in rural areas were more likely to opt for shorter, professional courses and enter the job market faster. But how do expat children fare?
Gillian Harvey spoke to families about education and employment opportunities offered by rural living. The stories suggest there is no singular approach...
Plenty of options for young people who seek them out
Jane and Doug Gardener, Fléré-la-Rivière, Indre-et-Loire.
It was 2006 when Jane and Doug took the chance to up sticks with their young daughter Laura, now 23, to live life in a rural idyll in France.
“Living in France had been a dream of ours, so we thought we’d give it a go, and we have never gone back!” said Jane.
But at 11 years of age and having lived near Stafford, the language and the culture shock was difficult for Laura.
“She struggled to settle in the local school because of the language,” says Jane. “So in the end we sent her to the international school in Loches.”
Laura settled well in her new school and went on to complete a baccalauréat, followed by a degree course in Tours.
However, a misunderstanding over one unit of her degree meant she was not awarded her full qualification.
Not quite knowing where to turn, Jane contacted a friend in the UK who taught British Horse Society (BHS) qualifications.
“I found that if she qualified in the UK, her skills would be transferable to France,” said Jane.
Over the past two summers, Laura, who also works part-time exercising horses at a local stable, visited the UK to obtain BHS level 4. She now hopes to become a professional showjumper.
“We’ve agreed to give her three years to try to achieve her dream,” says Jane. “She hasn’t gone professional yet, but she’s moved a step closer.”
Although Jane admits that Laura’s options are “more limited” by her location, she feels that there are plenty of options for young people who seek them out.
“Laura’s cohort have all become international young adults – there seem to be no shortage of opportunities out there,” she said.
More career options in UK
Chloe Moore, 29, Saint-Maime-de-Péreyrol, Dordogne
Having moved with her parents from Cheshire to a small village near Bergerac at the age of 11 in 1998, Chloe Moore struggled a little at school.
“I was thrown in at the deep end,” she explained. “But the village school was really good. Then when I moved to collège, it was harder. I was very much treated as a foreigner by the other children, who’d known each other all their lives.”
However, Chloe was able to knuckle down and – despite her difficulties – secured a place at Bordeaux University, where she studied economics. Despite having older siblings in the UK and seeing some of the attractions of the country, Chloe, now a qualified accountant with her own business, describes herself as being “300% happier in France.”
“I can understand why some people go back, and I realise there might be more opportunities, but it depends what you want from life,” she explained.
“There’s no question that there are more career opportunities in the UK, but to access them you have to become part of the rat-race. Here, I get peace of mind and a slower pace of life.
“I’m not yet 30, yet I own my own house, have horses in my back garden and have been able to start my own business working from home.
“My husband Cedric and I aren’t rich, but we can afford to go out and enjoy life. And, of course, there’s the weather.”
I couldn’t find a job locally
Emma Smith, 23, Tercillat, North Creuse
At age 13, Emma Smith initially found things hard when she moved with her parents to the small village of Tercillat in 2007. “I found it difficult. It was hard to pick up the French – I still struggle sometimes.”
Emma also feels the combination of language struggles and the education system in France meant she did not continue to higher education. “I think I’d have probably pursued my education further in the UK,” she admitted.
When it came to job hunting, Emma also found a lack of local opportunities: “I couldn’t find a job locally that didn’t need a diploma or experience,” she said.
However, lacking a clear direction encouraged Emma’s own entrepreneurial spirit and she has recently opened her own café in the village, named ‘Snack de Jack’ after her late grandfather. “It’s a traditional café, serving tea and cakes, full-English breakfast and even fish and chips,” she said. “It’s going well so far.”
Friends have had to take jobs that would not have been their first choice. “Most are working in shops and restaurants at the moment,” she admitted.
“Although one of my friends has gone on to higher education. I think I’d have had more opportunities in the UK, but I wouldn’t change my life for
the world,” she said.
Son struggled but prospered
Lynne and Dave Paver, Bellac, Haute-Vienne
Lynne and Dave moved to France in 2004 with children Ben, then 12 and Chloe, then 10, after Dave took voluntary redundancy from his job in technical sales. “It was meant to be a trial year,” said Lynne, “but we never went back!”
While Ben made friends with the family next door, which helped him to settle, Chloe struggled at first.
“She was unhappy,” said Lynne. “Her teacher used to ring me up and say she was crying. However, when it came to education, Chloe seemed to flourish more than Ben once she had settled in.
“Ben struggled at school and wanted to leave at 16. Luckily, I persuaded him to do a Bac Pro – he went to lycée in Egletons and really prospered, going on to do a BTS (brevet de technicien supérieur) in Travaux Publics.” Ben has now qualified and been employed by multinational engineering company SADE.
Chloe progressed to a Masters degree, during which she was able to spend a semester in Australia. Now working on her stage, Chloe is close to qualifying, working in events management.
“Her first project is going to be working with La Grande Odyssée [husky race] in the Alps,” said Lynne.
“Not everyone agrees, but I’ve always thought the children have a better chance here than in the UK. There’s more freedom here, and much more independence.
“And although the education system is a little more ‘rigid,’ I get the impression that more children want to progress and study to a higher level.”
Settle elsewhere for jobs
Sarah and David Bing, Ergny, Pas-de-Calais
Having dreamed of moving to France since an exchange in her school days, Sarah jumped at the chance to move with her family in 2003. “We were left a small inheritance, and thought – you only live once!”
The family now runs three gîtes, and Sarah also works for a holiday company. Children, Elizabeth and Scott, who were eight and five when the family moved, have also done well.
“The kids went to the village school, and their education has been excellent,” said Sarah. “Then when they went to lycée, we decided they should board. It did them the world of good.”
As well as academic success – Elizabeth has finished a degree in Applied Foreign Languages and Scott is studying engineering – Sarah feels this has given them a great start.
However, she admits they will need to settle elsewhere to find meaningful employment.
Elizabeth says France gave a positive start: “When I was 16, I decided to participate in a year exchange in Germany where I fell in love with the culture and language.
“At 16 and able to speak three languages fluently, I decided to do a literature and language bac and am doing a Masters in International Business and Negotiation, something not possible if we had stayed in the UK,” she said.
Growing up in the country: pros and cons for young people
According to our interviewees, whilst there are disadvantages when growing up in a rural area, there are also many advantages.
ADVANTAGES
- Size – small, rural schools often have smaller class sizes, meaning more 1:1 attention.
- Innovation – lack of opportunity means young people may be forced to ‘think outside of the box’ and do something innovative or different.
- Quiet – fewer distractions than can be found in a town or city may mean children are more focused on their school work.
DISADVANTAGES
- Transport – with buses often a rarity, and train stations potentially miles away, getting to and from interviews, educational establishments and potential workplaces can be difficult.
- Employment – whilst there will be employment opportunities locally, there might be a lack of variety – so finding something in your preferred field may require relocation to a larger town or city.
- Networking – whilst it’s possible to network and make business contacts online, for certain professions there are fewer opportunities to meet potentially useful contacts locally.
