"Man names Wi-Fi network “Daesh 21,” prosecuted under French anti-terror law. New law forbids “public praise” of terrorism, punishable by up to 7 years in prison."
I just graduated from Ecole Centrale Paris, usually second on engineering school rankings after Ecole Polytechnique. I found a job in web development in a small startup in November and am making ~45k a year.
40-45 for master's degree from a very few select schools, like the one from the OP. (Think of it as an equivalent of MIT/standford/harvard. Only a few hundreds lucky people get out of there every year).
35-40k for master's degree from everywhere else.
If you don't have a master's just forget about it ^^
But that was not the point, the point was that people talk about "raw", or "after taxes", while it does not mean the same. In France when they talk about "income after taxes" (~23% salary taxes), it is before the equivalent of US Federal+State taxes. These ~23% are about "social contribution" (mandatory healthcare, retirement, unemployment, etc.).
Only then, the income taxes are computed on what remains, depending on your family situation (having children impact a lot in France compared to the US). For a single person it can be up to ~ two-months salary.
Right, but we also pay 7.6% in social security in addition to income taxes, along with hefty healthcare premiums + deductibles which you don't have to worry about[1]. We also don't have the benefit of free higher education. Despite the depressed technical wages, overall, I think the French have a better deal from a quality of life perspective -- especially if, as you say, they have children.
I hope their system proves sustainable in the long run... I wish I had a way to participate in it (I could apply for the visa, I suppose), but it would be difficult for my US academic wife to break into French academia[2] at a suitable level.
[1] In a bad year, we're talking $13K in deductibles for a family of four on an average insurance plan.
[2] Now that I think about it, she studies French domestic politics. Hmmm...
I think the problem is that there is a complete disconnect between those in government that are "trying" as you say, and those who execute the day to day bureaucracy.
Let's take an example directly from this announcement:
"Apply to the French Tech Visa for Investors: Contact your local French Consulate or the local "Prefecture" (if you already reside in France) and follow the general route to apply for a "Passeport Talent"
Only those who live here will understand what this entails. The prefecture is a branch of regional government that is totally gridlocked with unnecessary paperwork.
- they tell you explicitly you can contact the consulate, that's when you're not in France
- If you're already in France, there is a big chance you've already been in contact with the prefecture, so you'll know what it is. Besides, it's very googleable.
Finally, yes, the prefecture is definitely not the best place to hang out, but I'd be surprised if they did not get very precise and direct instructions on how to take care of those candidates.
Well, getting lost in translation is something normal, isn't it? I have been 1 year in Germany and I tried to learn German. If you don't want to learn a new culture/language it's going to be difficult for sure. Why a whole country should adapt to you?
Some english speaking guys don't want to make effort to adapt and I really think that they miss the most important & fun part of travelling/living abroad.
You can raise money in english in France. No issue on that.
We have nice startup here and nice developpers. But you can also find nice thinghs in other EU countries. Business is everywhere...
I believe this is entirely too dismissive of a very complex and important subject.
As a native English speaker living in France, I would strongly advise anyone considering living and working here that it is absolutely critical to speak, read, and write a competent level of French if one is to be successful.
Sure, if you're going to just live in the center of Paris and spend all your time in the Expat crowd, you can get by, but it's disingenuous to claim that someone wouldn't be at a significant disadvantage in a French company if they only speak English.
I'm aware of several companies that claim they operate in English, but what this really means is that formal meetings and (some) emails are written in English, and all other conversation is in French.
When compared to a country that has high levels of English literacy such as the Netherlands, there's a major difference here.
You will be able to get by just fine in Paris for things like restaurants and hotels, but as soon as you have to deal with the government in any fashion, you absolutely must speak French.
In places other than Paris and the tourist areas of some major cities, it will be very difficult if you don't speak any French.
I disagree. I've heard this from people here, however after living here for some time, I believe the reality is that if you don't speak fluent French, you will be at a severe disadvantage.
I guess it really depends on the company culture, and one shouldn't over-generalize. I have non-French colleagues who don't speak French (and made barely any progress from their French lessons, but hey it's clearly not their priority ;) and are just fine. But where I work everyone naturally switch to English as soon as there's a non-French speaker in the room.
So my advice to new comers would be to pay attention to this when you visit for interviews. Do you feel reluctance, are people hesitant and searching for words when speaking English? Could be a sign they're not used to it. If they speak casually OTOH (even with strong accent and the odd mistakes) it's likely they're used to it: good.
"Man names Wi-Fi network “Daesh 21,” prosecuted under French anti-terror law. New law forbids “public praise” of terrorism, punishable by up to 7 years in prison."