Meet Talent of the Month, Rhea: From Classrooms in Dubai to Paris!

Talent of the Month: Rhea Lawrence

We are thrilled to spotlight Rhea Lawrence as Absolutely French’s Talent of the Month for May! Rhea’s incredible journey as an educator spans continents, from teaching in Dubai, Oman, and the UK, to now embracing life in Paris following her husband’s expatriation. With a rich tapestry of cultural experiences and a passion for education, Rhea has seamlessly adapted to her new environment in the City of Lights.

Since settling in Paris, Rhea has demonstrated remarkable growth and resilience. Now, having firmly found her feet, Rhea is eager to continue her teaching journey, bringing her wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm to Parisian classrooms. Read Rhea’s insightful story below

Be sure to watch the full interview on the Absolutely French YouTube Channel along with previous Talent of the Month interviews!

Can you tell us about yourself and your expatriation journey to Paris?

Hello everyone, my name is Rhea and I’m Indian. I’ve lived in a lot of different places around the world. Mostly Oman, Dubai, UK and now I’m here in Paris. One fine evening my husband came home and said I’ve got an internal transfer to Paris. I was like ‘wow Paris, when can I start packing!’, and that’s how I ended up here.

Could you tell us a bit more about your career journey?

By profession I am a teacher, I’ve spent 10 years in Education. At my previous school I was the Deputy Head of Secondary in Dubai, and at the moment I’m looking for opportunities in leadership in a school in Paris.

How would you describe your time at Absolutely French?

I have had a blast at Absolutely French. I think for expats that just moved to a new country, this is the best way to begin their journey. Also, I think the teachers here are fantastic. They use great methods to teach, and as a teacher myself, There is a famous quote by Benjamin Franklin, he says: ‘Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, Involve me and I learn’. I think Absolutely French incorporates that beautifully, it is a judgement free zone, so you are able to shed your inhibitions almost instantly

It makes learning French a lot easier, and I truly belive that they have not just helped with language acquisition but they’ve also helped build a family. The events that they have in the evenings are very interactive, and even your spouse can come and join. It’s a great way to meet other people and network. The people are very friendly, open and ready to help at any time. I would say I’ve truly enjoyed this experience.

How has the social and networking aspect of Absolutely French helped you settle into Paris?

It was very useful for me. I was able to come here and speak to a few people, even people from the other groups. They were readily available to help me. I gained access to a lot of important people around Paris in terms of my career. It’s good to know that there are a lot of people in the same situation with maybe the same problems and who know other people that can give you advice on how to manoeuvre through these problems.

Read a Brit’s Guide to Paris here!

Do you have a quote or a mantra that you live by?

I think my mantra when I moved here or as somebody that moves a lot is, life begins where your comfort zone ends. I think if you take that mantra, you will be able to thrive in any place.

Did you have a favourite part of the lessons?

I would definitely say I enjoyed the strolls, picking different areas of Paris to walk through with your sheet that has clues, puzzles and role plays. That was quite fun. Also as a newcomer, you don’t get to experience the culture and the traditions of Paris. I think Absolutely French gives you the opportunity to discover that side of Paris as well.

Do you have a favourite French word?

I think my favourite French word would be ‘flâner’ because every weekend that’s what my husband and I do. We scroll through and share Instagram reels throughout the week to each other. Then we pick a place and go and roam around and have a look at what’s there. I feel like every place, every street is so unique, with so much to look at and absorb. It’s beautiful.

What is your favourite area of Paris?

I love the Latin Quarter, there’s so much to do there: The Sorbonne university, there’s so much history and culture, and just the grandure of the buildings is incredible. While walking through the streets, we ended up at the amphitheatre, that was beautiful. I was just amazed by how easy it is to access all of these places!

How would you describe Paris in 3 words?

My 3 words would be melting pot, beauty, and culture.

Thank you Rhea for taking the time to speak to us, your insight and perspective on expatriation. Be sure to check out some of our previous Talents of the Month below!

Cheney from Macau

Puneet from India

Absolutely French is the leading French language school uniquely tailored for expatriates.

Through our engaging, friendly, and innovative French courses, we not only promise a seamless integration into French society but also an immersive cultural experience.

Are you an expatriate looking to master the French language and embrace the local culture?

Become Absolutely French!

Contact us!

Email: contact@absolutely-french.eu

Tel: 01 83 73 98 49

Address: 15 rue du Colonel Moll, 75017, Paris.

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