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Name: Debbie and Jevan Watkins-Jones
Occupation: Mature student and freelance art teacher
Hi Debbie and Jevan, how's it going? You've recently spent 8 months living in France and loved it so much that you've been back numerous times to visit old friends and carry on with working out there, but what made you want to take a career gap?
To put it simply, it was the right time for us. We'd had a hard time personally and felt as though we were stagnating living in the same place, doing the same things. Our daughter Rose - who was five when we first went to France - hadn't yet started primary school and it seemed as though it was the perfect time for us. I (Debbie) had decided to defer the second year of my French Italian degree and the rest of the family were settled at uni, it just seemed the ideal moment in time.
But there must have been so much for you to sort out before you left - jobs, a place to live, your house didn't that put you off?
We had to sort out renting our house and raising enoguh money for us to survive on until we got set up with jobs in France. Luckily, Jevan's job is pretty flexible and so there wasn't too much of an issue with sorting that out. Rose had not yet begun primary school, so there was no barrier there either. We did a lot of research into schools for her before we went, as we wanted to ensure that her education didn't suffer but once we had found tenants for our house, there wasn't much more in our way.
What other arrangements did you make for your time in France - was it easy to find a place to stay?
We were very lucky in that the parents of one of Jevan's colleagues had a house in France that they wanted to let right through the winter. As we planned to stay from November to May, this suited us perfectly.
We did not have jobs lined up when we arrived, but expected it to be relatively easy as I (Debbie) could speak the language well. However, it was Jevan that picked up a job in the vineyard which he absolutely adored. It was something that he had always wanted to do and he really loved it. In fact, he was the first Englishman in the valley to be taught the art of the tailleur - a special way of cutting the vines! His love for the job was also part of the reason we've been back so many times. We recently returned for a month and once again Jevan resumed his job in the vineyard.
 What arrangements did you make for Rose's education whilst she was in France? How did she get on with schooling in another country?
In France, children start school later than in England at the age of six. As Rose was only five at the time, she did attend school, but in classes that were equivalent to a French child's last year of nursery. This was a big concern for us, particularly as Rose struggled with the language at first and found the differences between English and French schools a lot to cope with. However, Jevan and I both liked the educational system there and although Rose found it difficult at first, we both feel that she gained a lot from it overall. Experiencing education in another country s wonderful and we are both glad that we gave her that oppurtunity.
How well do you think that Rose adjusted to life in France in general? Did she pick up the language relatively easily?
In truth, Rose did not adapt wonderfully well. However, I do think that we had unrealistic expecations of her from things that we had heard and read. There was no chance that she was going to be fluent in French with three months. Sadly, by the time she gotten to grips with the language, it was time for us to retun home. When we returned a few months later, it was a lot easier for her. She had gotten used to the cultural differences and got right back into the swing of things. I think this was because she was that little bit older and more confident and enthusiastic about things.
I also think it is a misconception that the younger children are, the easier they adapt. This may be true for very small children, but Rose definitely found it quite different to adjust at the age of five. Having to speak a different language and do things a different way is a big thing to overcome at that age.
You've mentioned the cultural differences that you experienced in France - they are only across the pond, surely things can't have been that different?
That's exactly what we thought and we were shocked at exactly how different things were. The only real way I can describe it is that in this country, people seem to live their lives for work. Everybody is centred around their jobs and see things like cooking and eating as a chore or a hassle. This was completely different in France. The French enjoy the simple pleasures and slow down to ensure that they appreciate them to the full. They enjoy going to markets and cooking for their families and it was nice to sink into this way of living - although it was quite a shock at first to slow down and take it easy.
We also found that the French were much more open than the English in the way they communicated and accepted us into their community.
You mention that Jevan loved his work, was this another example of you enjoying the simple pleasures of French life?
I think so. Jevan had alwasy wanted to work on a vineyard and jumped at the chance when it was offered. There were others things that he could have done, but getting back to nature and working outdoors was part of the reason we went to France. He also found it incredibly inspiring as an artist and painted many many pieces during our stay.
Did you find it very easy to build a social circle for yourself - did you make many friends?
We found it very very easy and this was partly because we were in such a unique position. We consciously wanted to integrate - not as English people living abroad for a while - but as part of the local community. I think that the locals need to see that you wanted to integrate and this made them very warm towards us.
It also helped that Rose was going to a local school and we all became part of the community here too. We built a wide circle of friends which is part of the reason that we keep going back. Every time that we do, the friendships become stronger and we are always welcomed back into the local community when we return.
 How do you think you have all benefitted from your time spent in France?
I think we all benefitted in many ways. Rose has grown in confidence and has had her horizons broadened greatly by living in another country and being exposed to a different language and an entirely different way of life. Her time in France has influenced her greatly and we feel, very positively.
As a family, it allowed us to live a very simple life and to become a true nucleur family. We had escaped the fast pace and were able to appreciate the beautiful scenery and basic way of living with one another. We've all changed as people and have hopefully taken on board the warmth and simplicity of the French people we lived alongside.
Was there anything bad about your career gap?
One of the most uncomfortable elements of living where we did was the fact that there was no central heating! We had to make do with one long fire through the winter, which got very uncomfortable at times!
Honestly, the worst thing about the whole experience was coming home. I had become really confident in myself as a person in France and found coming home extremely difficult. Our house was left in an appalling state by the lodgers - who were a nightmare to deal with the whole time that we were away - which didn't make things any easier. Plus we struggled to find a good school for Rose. Things just seemed to get a lot more complicated when we got home than when we were away.
I still don't feel settled now and am constantly looking until the next time that I can go back. I definitely feel more comfortable living in France than back here and am considering what the next step for us will be. Plus, food doesn't taste as good now we are back!
Your career gap obviously had a profound affect on you - something that a lot of 25+ gappers hope for. Would you recommend taking a career gap to others and what tips would you give those planning one now?
I would recommend a career gap to anyone. Staying in one place, unless you are consciously happy with your life there just causes you to miss out on so much other stuff. Until you have had experience living somewhere else, how can you make a decision? At least, when you have tried it, you can choose where you want to be.
I would advise others to keep an open mind when they reach a new contry and to attempt to get there with no preconceived notions. Things are going to be different, but you need to embrace these differences and adapt to them to make the most of your time there.
Another piece of advice that I would give to anyone thinking about leaving their jobs and homes to live elsewhere, would be to save enough money before you head off. This way you are not forced into making decisions purely based on money and jumping into things that you are not entirely happy with. Also do lots of reading and research on your new 'home' before you leave. I would also recommend to others renting out their homes back in England to do it through an agent. We had trouble collecting rent and came home to find our house in a mess. This made it all the more difficult to return home. At least, if we would have had an agent, that may have been avoided.
Sound advice.... anything else you'd like to add about your career gap?
Travel does broaden the mind, but nothing does it quite like living somewhere else for a while. I am so glad we did it.
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