Dreaming ofmoving to the USA? In this episode, Margot interviews Thibaut, better known on social networks as ThibautPov. After arriving in North Carolina as an exchange student “by default” in the middle of Covid, he is now married to an American and living his “Miami Life” to the full as a content creator. Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at his journey, from the VIE contract to the most surprising culture shocks.
The VIE: The “Sesame” to work in the USA
For many young French people, Volontariat International en Entreprise (VIE ) is the royal gateway to the American market. But as Thibaut explains, landing the contract of your dreams requires perseverance… or strategy.
“I spent at least six months looking around without much in the way of answers. In the end, I joined a company in France that had a subsidiary in the United States. After a year, they sent me on a VIE. It was an internal transfer.” – Thibaut aka TiboPov
VIE in the USA: A strategic springboard
For young people between the ages of 18 and 28, the Volontariat International en Entreprise (VIE) program is the ideal way to expatriate to the United States. This program, managed by Business France, offers a major administrative advantage: the company and the organization handle the complexities of the J-1 visa, saving the candidate months of procedures and thousands of dollars in legal fees. Financially, the program is extremely attractive, since the volunteer receives a monthly allowance, exempt from income tax in France, which is adjusted to the local cost of living.
By way of example, a VIE in Miami in 2026 will earn around €4,234 net, while in San Francisco this sum can rise to €5,180. Last but not least, security is total, thanks to a comprehensive international social protection package covering health care and repatriation, an indispensable safety net in a country where medical costs are among the highest in the world.
What you need to know about VIE in the USA:
- Age: Between 18 and 28.
- Advantage: Business France handles the visa process (often J-1), a huge administrative relief.
- Remuneration: Fixed and tax-free in France, varying according to the cost of living in the destination city (Miami being particularly expensive).
Culture shock: Between “Small Talk” and “Dating
One of the most striking cultural shocks for a French expatriate in the USA is the fine line between apparent friendliness and real intimacy. While Americans are the undisputed masters of small talk – the ability to strike up a warm conversation with a stranger in an elevator or a queue – this ease of contact does not mean immediate friendship. It’s the famous theory of the “Peach Culture” (Americans) versus the “Nut Culture” (French): while the French are difficult to approach but solid once the “shell” is broken, Americans offer a very tender and open first approach, but fiercely protect a private core that’s more difficult to access.
This nuance is particularly crystallized in the dating culture. In Miami and elsewhere, codes are ultra-codified: you can “date” several people at the same time without this being perceived as a betrayal, as long as the discussion of exclusivity (the famous “Defining the Relationship” stage) has not taken place. As Thibaut points out, you can spend months with someone without being officially “in a relationship” in the eyes of American society. For a French person accustomed to a natural, tacit formalization on the very first date, the time lag can be as disconcerting as it is delightful.
The reality of American dating
Thibaut shares a revealing anecdote about meeting his wife, Jenny:
“In France, if we do several dates, it’s official. In the US, I was surprised when she introduced me as her ‘French friend’ to her parents after several months. You really have to put the relationship into words.”
Miami’s social challenge
Moving to Miami means becoming part of a cosmopolitan, vibrant city that is also profoundly transient. The “Magic City” attracts profiles from all over the world, who often only stay a few years before leaving again. This “city of passage” dynamic makes it sometimes difficult to create a lasting social circle. As Thibaut explains, social ties in the United States are not created at the corner café by simple spontaneous affinity as in France, but are structured around communities of interest.
To fit in, the strategy is clear: become an “active member”. In the USA, belonging to a group means getting involved: whether it’s through paddle clubs (Florida’s king sport), chess tournaments or volunteer associations, Americans often compartmentalize their friendships by field. You’ll have your “sports friends”, your “professional network friends” and your “neighborhood friends”, with sometimes watertight boundaries between each circle.
Thibaut’s advice: “The trick is to join as many clubs as possible. In France, we’re buddies because we feel good together, even if we have nothing in common. In the United States, you need a common activity to cement the relationship at first.”
This approach requires a proactive effort: where the Frenchman expects friendship to develop naturally over a drink, the expatriate in Miami has to register, participate and propose, or risk remaining confined to the stage of simple neighborhood “small talk”.
Health and Budget: The Expatriate’s Tiles
Adventure also means accepting the unexpected. Thibaut recounts how he was involved in a car accident in his first week, with a hit-and-run driver.
“In Florida, a lot of people don’t have insurance. I had to pay thousands of dollars for my bumper. These are hazards that can be chilling when you arrive.”
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Focus: The American healthcare system, a luxury to be mastered
It’s probably the subject that generates the most anxiety among French expatriates: healthcare.
In the United States, medicine is not a public service. It’s a high-performance private system, but also one of the most expensive in the world. Without solid insurance, costs can quickly escalate. A simple consultation can cost between $200 and $300. Appendicitis can easily exceed $30,000.
Beyond the prices, it’s the complexity of the system that is surprising. Unlike France and its Carte Vitale, the United States operates with healthcare networks. Depending on your insurance, you’ll have to choose between two main types of plan:
- HMO (Health Maintenance Organization): You must choose a referring physician and obtain his or her approval (a referral) to see a specialist. It’s cheaper, but more rigid.
- PPO (Preferred Provider Organization): More freedom. You can consult any specialist in the network without going through your GP.
You’ll also need to familiarize yourself with the financial lexicon: Deductible (the annual deductible you have to pay out-of-pocket before being reimbursed), Copayment (a fixed sum to be paid on each visit, for example $30) andOut-of-pocket maximum (the maximum ceiling you’ll pay in the year before insurance covers everything at 100%).
Thibaut’s advice: “Even with employer-sponsored insurance, take a close look at the contracts. In the USA, you’re always thinking about your finances before taking care of yourself. Fortunately, on VIE or with international insurance, we often benefit from a third-party payment system that protects us from these exorbitant costs.”
| Point of vigilance | Thibaut’s advice |
| Health insurance | Never leave home without international insurance (such as April) or your employer’s insurance. |
| Credit Score | A vital element in the USA for renting an apartment or buying a car, non-existent in France. |
| Power supply | Quiet lifestyles and French gastronomy are often what expats miss most. |
The final word: “Go for it!”
Today, Thibaut has no regrets. His expatriation enabled him to step out of his comfort zone and become a full-time content creator, a career he might never have dared launch in France. His advice to you?
“Open up as much as you can. Don’t close any doors. Cultural exchange is the most important thing today. If it’s a real project: go for it!”
