Toulouse, France, ZIP Code: 31000
When I first came to France as a Network Project Manager for an Indian multinational, I imagined that my life would mostly revolve around office hours, meetings and project deadlines. But living in Toulouse has turned out to be much more than a work assignment. The city has given me an opportunity to experience France in a way I probably would not have if I had simply stayed inside an office.
I live in central Toulouse, where the pink-coloured buildings, small streets and cafés give the city a very different feel from the large cities I was used to. My work keeps me busy, but I try to explore whenever I get the opportunity.
Field work as my gateway to France
My job involves network installations, troubleshooting and site visits, so I am not always sitting at a desk. I travel to different locations depending on the project, and these assignments have helped me discover Toulouse and the surrounding region.
Toulouse is known for its aerospace and technology industries, and that is also reflected in the kind of work happening around the city. The presence of companies such as Airbus gives the region a strong engineering and technology identity.
Sometimes, after finishing a site visit, I take some time to explore the area instead of immediately returning home. I enjoy walking around the old city, particularly around the Capitole area, and spending some time along the Garonne.
When I get longer breaks, I also try to travel outside Toulouse. Albi and Carcassonne are within reach for a day trip, and both offer a very different experience from the city. Carcassonne, with its medieval fortified city, was particularly memorable.
These journeys have changed the way I look at work trips. A site visit is no longer just an assignment that has to be completed. It can also become an opportunity to see another part of France.
Why I don’t mind working on weekends
Weekends can sometimes feel quiet when you are living abroad on your own. That is one reason I don’t mind taking up urgent work when it comes my way. If there is a network issue on a Saturday or an installation that needs attention on a Sunday, I am usually willing to go. The work can be tiring, but I also enjoy the feeling of being useful.
It has also helped me become more comfortable with life in France. I have had to learn how things work, communicate with people from different backgrounds and become more independent in handling everyday situations.
Discovering life in Toulouse
Living in Toulouse has taught me that being an expat is not only about adjusting to a new workplace. It is also about understanding a new city.
I have become comfortable with the slower pace of life, the cafés, the long walks and the habit of exploring places on weekends. I have also learned that France is much more than the famous destinations that we usually see in photographs.
For me, Toulouse has become a combination of work and discovery. My job brought me to France, but the city has given me reasons to stay curious. Every new project, site visit or weekend trip adds something to the experience. I came here as an IT professional on an overseas assignment. Somewhere along the way, I have also become someone who enjoys discovering France one trip at a time.
When colleagues from India visit
I particularly enjoy it when colleagues from India come to Toulouse for work. They usually have limited free time and want to see something beyond their hotel and office.
Whenever our schedules allow, I take them around the city. We might start around Place du Capitole, walk through the old streets and then spend some time along the Garonne. Sometimes we stop at an Indian restaurant for a familiar meal.
Toulouse actually has a number of Indian restaurants, so finding familiar food is not difficult. For someone who has just arrived from India, that can be a small but comforting thing. When colleagues visit, we also talk about work, life in France and our experiences of being away from home. Their visits bring a little bit of familiarity into my otherwise routine life here.
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