An interview with Zoe, who traded familiar Canadian landscapes for the romantic boulevards of Paris

Some dreams are too powerful to postpone. For Zoe, who was just a 21-year-old Canadian when she made the move–now 24–the allure of Paris was so strong that she boarded a plane to France immediately after graduating university—without knowing a single soul in the City of Light.

“Paris has always been my dream,” Zoe explains, her eyes lighting up as she recalls those first uncertain but exhilarating days in her new home. What started as a leap of faith has blossomed into a life that sometimes feels like it could be pulled straight from a television screen.

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Growing up in Montreal helped ease what could have been a jarring linguistic transition. “It’s like a melting pot where I’m from,” Zoe describes. “I knew a lot of people who spoke French, so the language itself wasn’t difficult when I arrived in France”. Still, navigating daily conversations in Paris presented its own unique challenges. The reality of living entirely in French—from ordering coffee to making friends to building a career—was different from the comfortable bilingual environment she’d known back home.

“You meet people who understand you completely, and others who… well, don’t,” she laughs. “There’s definitely a different standard here. The way people communicate, the social expectations—it’s all part of the learning curve.”

Perhaps the most daunting aspect of Zoe’s move wasn’t the language barrier, but starting over socially and professionally. Arriving without connections or a network, she had to build her entire support system from the ground up. Fortune smiled on her in the workplace, where she met one of her closest friends—a relationship that became an anchor in her new Parisian life.

“Coming here without knowing anybody was scary,” she admits. “But the people you cross paths with in surprising ways can become anchors in your life. Meeting my best friend at the office changed everything.”

When asked about the popular Netflix series “Emily in Paris,” Zoe’s response is refreshingly nuanced. “It’s actually a great show,” she says, surprising those who might expect her to dismiss it as unrealistic. “Sure, there are moments that are completely over-exaggerated, but there are also a lot of good moments that ring true.”

For Zoe, watching Emily’s adventures feels oddly familiar. “When I watch that show, it’s kind of like watching my own life. Obviously, my experience isn’t exactly the same, but the feeling of being this North American woman trying to make it in Paris? That resonates.”

Surprisingly, when asked about the biggest obstacles she’s faced, Zoe’s response defies conventional wisdom about the difficulties of international relocation. “I did face challenges, both big and small, but I never let them deter me from my dream. I always believed everything would be all right in the end,” she explains.

This perspective—that pursuing your deepest desires can make even difficult transitions feel manageable—colors every aspect of her experience. The key, according to Zoe, is adaptability.

Zoe’s story represents a growing trend of young people taking bold steps to pursue their dreams immediately after graduation, rather than following traditional paths. Her experience suggests that when a move abroad aligns deeply with personal aspirations, many of the typical challenges transform from obstacles into adventures.

“If you’re going to do something like this, you have to be adaptable,” Zoe emphasizes. The advice comes with practical examples from her daily life. “Dinner starts pretty late in France because work ends later, so you can’t have dinner at six or seven like you might back home.” These seemingly small adjustments—meal times, work schedules, social rhythms—represent the constant flexibility required when building a life in a new culture.

For Zoe, this adaptability wasn’t a burden but a natural part of pursuing what she wanted most. “The reason it wasn’t too much of a struggle for me is because this is my dream,” she reflects. Her message to others considering a similar leap is clear: “You have to be able to adapt for what you want.”

As she continues to build her life in Paris, Zoe serves as an inspiring example of what’s possible when dreams meet determination. Her story reminds us that sometimes the most rewarding journeys begin not with a detailed plan, but with a single, courageous decision to say “yes” to possibility.

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A big thank you to Zoe for opening up and sharing her inspiring journey from Canada to Paris. Her story shows how courage and adaptability can turn dreams into reality, and we’re so grateful to feature her voice here.

To keep up with Zoe’s Parisian adventures, fashion moments, and everyday glimpses of life abroad, make sure to follow her on Instagram and TikTok (linked below). She shares the kind of behind-the-scenes content that makes you feel like you’re right there with her—don’t miss it!

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