1. 3 min: Introduce the topic: why care about French people in NYC? What is the purpose of this project? Briefly compare to Americans with their abundance of memoirs in France. Is it a cultural thing? Mention the strong presence of Francophilia in NYC especially. This is another way to understand one of the biggest aspects of international culture in NYC.

My project, A New France in New York, is, at its most basic, a compilation of experiences of French foreigners who have lived or are living in New York City. Although the French are not the largest immigrant population in New York, the relationship between France and New York is a very interesting one. NYC is Francophile – what is considered “high culture,” specifically in regards to food, is French. Nowadays, more and more French bilingual programs are appearing in schools around the city. French people are generally enthusiastic about NYC and New Yorkers are typically enamored with France. So I think it is interesting to shine light at the cultural differences from the eyes of the French living abroad. This is one way to understand the huge presence of international culture in NYC. Americans publish hundreds of memoirs on living in France. However, as popular as NYC seems to be for French foreigners, there aren’t as many personal accounts accessible to Americans. My research is almost solely based on personal accounts because statistics cannot show the nuanced experience of what it feels like to live abroad. Culture and identity are very personal things that cannot be generalized.

2. 3 min: Talk about place and identity.

In today’s globalized society, the concept of identity belonging to a place is ever-shifting. People who have lived in many places bring a piece of each place with them wherever they go. Living abroad especially complicates the idea of “belonging” because you retain your own culture yet adopt parts of the new culture as fitting to you. Therefore, you become a product of both cultures and might not completely “belong” to either place. You become an “other” in your old home and your new home. [ELABORATE. FIX.]

3. 2 min: Explain my research methodology: interviewing people (and any specific cut-offs)!

In order to understand French foreigners’ ideas of what it is like to be a French foreigner in NYC and how it relates to their identities, I interviewed a wide range of people. The only requirements were 18 or older (adult, able to consent), grew up in France, considers him/herself French, and has lived in NYC for at least 6 months. The reason for a wide range is to get as many perspectives to what living in NYC is like.

4. 7 min: Show website/map.

1. Explain some aspects of the different interviews: recurring themes/locations and some funny stories.
2. Describe why NYC is a popular choice according to my interviewees and how the French culture in the city relates back to them. (Is it because of the French expatriates or the Francophiles or both?) Or how living in NYC has changed their lifestyle. Specific examples of otherness or cultural differences.