Welcome from the
Provence Peer Network (PPN)!
The people of the Provence Peer Network are members of the ITER
community.
They are happy to offer you their help in settling in your new
environment.
There are 17 volunteers in and around Manosque and 13 volunteers
in and around Aix-en-Provence.
They can answer your questions on schools, doctors, where to find
food products, which bus line to take and where to go in the area for
the best experiences.
They were newcomers too and know how challenging the situation
can be.
Do not hesitate to contact them, they have already helped many
people.
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Manosque
I’m Guo Jianping, I arrived in April 2011 from China. Before coming to
France I was in design work at a design institute in Beijing. Now I have a lot of
hobbies including traveling, outdoor hiking, painting, cooking, making friends
and reading. I also participate in a book club with people from around the
world. We meet regularly to discuss books, drink tea and chat. I am excited to
help new families settle in and adapt to life in France.
[email protected]
I’m Marie Bonnin—an American newly arrived in Manosque. Before settling
in Provence, I worked for 10 years at an international law firm in Paris. Prior to
that, I spent a year and a half in Aix-en-Provence and studied French at the
Université Aix-Marseille. Before that, I taught English courses in northeastern
Germany. I am currently kept busy looking after 3 young boys. I remember my
interests to be running, cooking, photography and travel.
[email protected]
My name is Marta de la Torre. I am Spanish. Before France, I lived in
England and Germany. I have children at the international school in
Manosque. I like people and social relationships. As I have been living
abroad, I understand the difficulties. It is nice to have someone to ask your
questions to and give you answers. I am especially willing to help Spanish
Speakers-although everyone is welcome.
[email protected]
Hi! I’m Moon-Jeong Lim. I still remember the hot, sticky summer of 2011
when my family first arrived in Manosque. Coming from a busy, professional
life in Korea to the slow pace of Provence was a big change. We’ve had to
become accustomed to so many new things. My two children have grown up
so much and have acclimated well to French culture. Settling in a new place
can be a challenge for anyone. My terrace is always open to anyone who needs
a friendly chat.
[email protected]
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Hey everybody. I’m Meredith Francom from the United States. I arrived in
France in the fall of 2013. I have four children who attend the international
school in Manosque. Before coming to France, I was a journalist/public
relations professional. When I’m not busy studying French, attending a Zumba
class or planning new adventures I focus my energy on the wellbeing and
acclimatization of my children. So far, so good. Let me know how I
can make your transition easier.
[email protected]
Nice to meet you friend. My name is Irie Kutsuna. I live with my husband
and small son in Manosque. My son attends the international school in
Manosque. I realize changing the country you live in is hard, but I am here to
help you if I can.
[email protected]
Hello, my name is Aiperi Toktomusheva. I am from Kyrgyzstan, I am
married to a Belgian. I have two children, ages two and five. I have lived in
Manosque since 2009. Before that I lived in many places all over the world, so
I understand the expat life. It’s quite an adventure with a new language,
culture, food—especially with children. Here in Provence, I have friends from
many different countries. It is a very interesting life. Please feel free to contact
me with your questions.
[email protected]
I’m Marcia Gitton. I’m a Brazilian woman married to a Frenchman. We have
two children-an 11-year-old boy and a nine-year-old girl. They study at the
international school in Manosque in the Spanish section. I have been living
abroad for the last 15 years. I arrived in France for the first time in early 2014.
I enjoy spending time with my family, meeting new people, traveling, going to
exhibits and cultural events and reading. I also enjoy photography and
listening to different styles of music.
[email protected]
I am Elke Colle, originally from Belgium. We moved to Gréoux-les-Bains in
October 2014. At university, I earned a master’s in literature as well as a
master’s in cultural studies. Today, a picture of my life includes piles of
books, daily creativity and nature-especially mountains, lakes and light. No
day without photography, no happiness without art and culture. My heart beats
for cities like Berlin and Marseille and connections with people from all
over the world.
[email protected]
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I’m Alexandra Von Marschall from Cologne. I’m a pharmacist. We were
pulled to France in the beginning of 2013 and live in the beautiful village of
Mirabeau. My three children attend the international school in Manosque. We
have settled well with the kids in music lessons and sports classes. Since I
don’t work at the moment, I enjoy pursuing my hobbies— singing, doing sports
and studying French.
[email protected]
Hello. I’m Miyako Kimura. I moved to Manosque from Tokyo in the autumn
of 2013. I have three children ages one, three and eight. When I arrived, life in
France seemed so unfamiliar, but now I see everything as a new adventure. I
like living here, and I am happy to help you have a smooth transition.
[email protected]
Hello I am Esther Duran-Lamalle. I am Belgian-Mexican. I was born in
Mexico City. I have two daughters who attend the international school in
Manosque. My husband is Belgian and both of my daughters were born in
Brussels. We moved to Manosque in November 2007. Before coming here we
lived in Belgium and the UK. I look forward to helping you get comfortable in
your new home. Being an expat is a great privilege but can be a challenge.
Don’t hesitate to contact me for a friendly chat.
[email protected]
My name is Adriana Rossi. I arrived in Aix-en-Provence at the end of
January 2010, last year we bought a house in Pertuis. I am married and I
have a five-year-old son who attends the international school in Manosque. I
left Italy in 2003 and moved to Oxford, England where I lived and worked
until 2010 and where my son was born. I like reading, movies, music, good
food, good wine and beer and the lovely weather in Provence. I am friendly
and I look forward to meeting new people.
[email protected]
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Hello! My name is Huo Xiaolan. I am Chinese. I arrived in Manosque in
March 2007. Before coming to France, I worked for the Chinese Embassy in
Washington DC. My 10-year old daughter attends the international school in
Manosque. I am busy every day. I attend a French conversation class once a
week. I participate in the English & French book clubs regularly. I am
learning painting. I also enjoy traveling and hiking. I also like to meet new
people and make new friends. I look forward to meeting you.
[email protected]
Hi, my name is Jing SUN. I come from the south of China. The first time I
arrived in Provence in March of 2009 under an engineering working contract
for ITER. So I have lived over five years in France with my family and I enjoy
the life with the sunshine here in Provence. I have a 7-year-old daughter and a
2-year-old son. I spend much time taking care of my children, while I still like
to make friends, talking and sharing the experience, happiness and plan
different activities. I can speak simple French now, if somebody wants to
exchange languages, please let me know, I will be very happy and open for
different topics, discussions, exchange of experience, plan of activities. To
make friends, to enjoy the bright Provencal sunshine, it sounds great and it is
really great!
[email protected]
Hi! My name is Iona and I moved from Belgium to this beautiful region in
December 2014. Although new in the area, I’m eager to discover my new
home and get to know warm-hearted people. I’m mother to Daan, who’s 17
months old and attends day care in Sainte Tulle. I have a freelance job and try
to balance it with my new social environment and pursuing my hobbies:
photography, hiking, singing, writing my blog and travelling. Feel free to
contact me, I’m looking forward to meeting you!
[email protected]
I am Catherine Le Borgne Wolfers, I was born in 1968 in Brittany, a
beautiful French region, (land of old legends and rainy moors) which I left
as soon as I could, to discover a bit of the world, USA, UK, New Zealand,
Belgium, Spain etc...I now live in Pierrevert near Manosque with my
amazing husband since September 2014 and my 2 lovely teenagers (Max
12 and Louis 15) who attend the International School in Manosque. I am
looking for ladies to play padel with me (Spanish/Argentinian kind of
tennis played with 4 players), so if you would like to speak French,
English or Spanish with me while discovering a new sport in Manosque,
please contact me. I am interested in cats, cooking, history, English
literature, interior design and fashion.
[email protected]
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Aix-en-Provence
Hello everyone. My name is Cristina Sannazzaro. I am originally from
Genoa, but I left the city about 26 years ago. I spent about seven years in
the UK and about 13 years in Monaco and Bavaria. I have lived in Aix-enProvence since 2008. I have two daughters-age 24 and 16. I really like art.
Currently I’m interested in oil painting, water colors and painting on
porcelain.
I love sports and I am part of an international hiking group. Let me know
if there’s something I can do for you.
[email protected]
I am Shanti Govindarajan. I come from Ahmedabad, India. I am married
and have a daughter who is currently studying in Germany. Back in India,
I was working in the editorial department for a management journal at the
Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad. My interests include
reading, gardening, listening to music, watching movies and traveling.
In my free time I love to experiment with various cuisines. I also hold a
private pilot’s license. I speak, English, Hindi, Tamil, Gujarati and
Bengali.
[email protected]
I’m Katiuscia Zedda Privato. I arrived in Aix-en-Provence in 2013 with
my husband, Fabio. There’s just the two of us. I’m an innovation consultant
for start-up companies so I travel home to Sardinia at least once a month.
There is a lot of energy in Aix. I joined a gym association and I take a
French class where I met many new friends. I am starting to enjoy the
French life.
[email protected]
My name is Virginie Raffray. I grew up in Mauritius and my mother
tongue is French. I lived for 20 years in California and have been in Aix
for 5 years already! I have three children—the older two live in North
America and my youngest will complete her European Baccalaureate in
June 2015 at the international school in Manosque. I love nature,
gardening and hiking. I enjoy and appreciate the cultural life offered by
Aix-en-Provence and nearby Marseille. I’ll be happy to help you in any
way I can.
[email protected]
My name is Marianna Salvalaio. I’m a 38-year-old Italian with two
children—ages nine and six. I enjoy learning new languages. In addition to
Italian, I speak English, German and Japanese. Recently, I started studying
French in Aix. Before coming to Aix I taught Italian in Germany to
primary school children as well as adults. My interests include music, art
and cooking…especially Japanese and Korean cuisine.
[email protected]
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I’m Fiona Knoyle, I arrived in July 2013, and I live in Aix. I left my two
grown-up sons at home, though they visit quite often. I was a pharmacist
in the UK. I’m now far too busy trying to learn French, visiting different
areas of France, wine-tasting, going to exhibitions and museums, trying
out restaurants and making the most of the provençal way of life. And
entertaining visitors.... don’t forget the visitors! Please get in touch if you
want to chat and an introduction to Aix.
[email protected]
My name is Giovanna Buttice. I am Italian. I am a biologist who has
lived in Belgium, northern France, the United States—and most recently I
worked as a research scientist at Boston University. I have lived in the
center of Aix-en-Provence since 2008. I have a nine year-old son who
attends a nearby French school. My main interest remains science, but
being inspired by the new place, I am discovering myself as an abstract
painter. I have a lot to share and to help you. Please contact me.
[email protected]
My name is Eva Reichle and I come from Germany. I left my country 25
years ago to follow my husband together with our three sons, first to
England and then in 1997 to Aix-en-Provence. Our sons went through the
European, French and German educational systems. They now lead their
own lives, partly in Germany, partly in France. Moving abroad makes
you adopt other languages, which might be difficult in the beginning, but
very rewarding after a while. I’ll be happy to help you.
[email protected]
Hello, my name is Veronique Morvan. I am French. I have lived in the
center of Aix-en-Provence for the last five years—after nine years of living
in Spain. I am the mother of a three-year-old son. I am married to an
American. I love trying new food, tourism and meeting people from
different cultures. I am also a French teacher for foreigners and I co-host
an expat women’s network. Let me know what I can do for you.
[email protected]
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I am Barbara Pitcher—a Canadian of Italian descent. I have lived in Aixen-Provence since 2007. My three children finished high school in Aix
and are now at university in Canada. I am an artist, abstract in mixed
media. Previously I worked in design and building which came in handy
when we built our house. I am now well connected in construction, real
estate and design and am happy to help out in those areas. I also like
reading, food and wine, playing tennis, swimming, skiing and enjoying
nature.
[email protected]
Hello everyone. My name is Ana Maria Sierra-Villar. I am from
Colombia. I am a pharmacist. I moved to Barcelona 15 years ago in order
to do my doctorate and I met my husband there. We settled down in the
UK. In 2013 we decide to come to Aix with a baby on board. I didn’t
expect living in France to be easy when I moved with a new born baby but
I have learnt to love my new home and I found life became a lot easier. If
there’s something I can do for you just let me know.
[email protected]
Hi Barney here. I have lived in France since 2007. We live in Pertuis,
(between Aix and Manosque), with my wife and son. We lived in CaliIfornia
before coming to Provence. I have a construction business and therefore
"KNOW" a number of different subjects. I can discuss which phone plan is
currently the least expensive, which store you should visit to find what
you are looking for. I understand you may feel apprehensive about contacting
any one for information. I felt that way for about a week and then I realized it
would be easier just to ask. So please ask away. Phone or email me.
0603670701,
[email protected]
Hello, my name is Céline Balme. I left my native place Cessy (close to
Geneva and Jura mountains) in July 2014 to start a new life with my
partner in Aix. I'm an art therapist. My job aims to help people get through
life difficulties using expression and arts in general. And I am currently
opening a new office in Eguilles to perform my professional activities.
Friendship and sharing are essential for me. I'm interested in arts (naturally
;°)), dancing (especially modern and latino dances), nature, music, pets,
alternative medecine and discovering. I speak Spanish (thanks to few
months spent in Barcelona) and English, and I will be happy to meet you!
[email protected]
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