I wrote about our transition as my wife and I leave the US for France soon.

[pojntfx@mastodon.social]

@chergert Good luck with the move, I'm sorry (honestly more mad than sorry) that they didn't approve your request. I hope France (or a company in France) realizes the asset they have in you and let you work ASAP.

[fossplant@pouet.chapril.org]

@chergert
Remind that if you need to be employed in a free software company, we also have:

Regional groups of FOSS companies: https://mamot.fr/@plossra_a/115252085119710482
Red Hat employing people here, obviously
Free software conventions like @jdll or @alposs every year
@copiepublique which is an independent group financing free software
French PyCon every year: https://zestedesavoir.com/billets/4870/pyconfr-2025-a-lyon-du-30-octobre-au-2-novembre/

(And more importantly, set back and enjoy your stay)

[aperezdc@oldbytes.space]

@chergert best of lucks with the upcoming changes 🤗🙏

[jasperamorgan@mastodon.social]

@chergert I can’t get a clear picture about RedHat. Is it now just another US Big Tech corp or is it a good actor in the FOSS world. It’s probably a bit of both.

Sad that a global organisation is so inflexible.

On a positive note, France is a super vibrant part of Europe’s tech scene. I hope you find a good landing zone. Bon Voyages!

[codedore@mastodon.online]

@chergert I wish you all the best on your journey forwards!

I really apprentice all the work you have done so far for tools I have used daily for my work. So I hope everything goes well for your relocation to France.
Take care of yourself and your family.

[matzipan@hachyderm.io]

@chergert sorry to hear what you're going through. It's a big transition and it's bound to be stressful so wish you all the best!

[skyper@fosstodon.org]

@chergert Good luck with this big change!

If you need info about how things work in France, or if you want to practice your French, feel free to ping me. I'd be more than happy to help.

[happyborg@fosstodon.org]

@chergert France is a wonderful country, though I guess you know this. I'm in UK but visited many times and my parents lived there late in their lives.

I believe property is still cheap there, and the style and locations in the country are amazing.

Good luck. I'm in a transition myself, to a village and new way of life in UK (doing up a very old property and becoming part of the community here), and though stressful I'm loving every bit of it.

[ivovanwilligen@mastodon.social]

@chergert Welcome to Europe 🇪🇺!

[araly@gamedev.lgbt]

@chergert "bon courage" in your move for both you and your wife, I hope France treats you well !

[lffontenelle@mastodon.social]

@chergert Thanks for everything so far, and I wish the best luck in your move to Europe.

FWIW, adults are more able to learn new languages than we usually give ourselves credit for; it's more a matter of how much can we invest in learn a new language:

https://youtu.be/gTgbDXYG_OY

[espadrine@mastodon.social]

@chergert I learned French when I was a child. I cannot fathom learning it now. Your resolve is inspiring.

[foo__@mastodon.social]

@chergert c'est un honneur de vous accueillir (in french on purpose) 🙇

Stay safe in the meantime :)

[catnux@social.linux.pizza]

@chergert Bienvenue en France ! I'm not a developper and I suppose I won't be able to help you for your work, but feel free to ask if you need help about life in France, administration, etc. 😉

[colinstu@birdbutt.com]

@jzb @chergert I’m gonna blame IBM on that one.
Their relocation policies BLOW. (Unless they’re the ones initiating it)

[allpurposemat@mastodon.gamedev.place]

@chergert Congrats on the move and good luck! Shame that RH didn't help you, I hope you find employment someone nice. Or somewhere cool, in case you aren't moving to Nice.

[ef@mastodon.bsd.cafe]

@chergert you may want to check visa terms and what happens once you apply for residency (do it on day 1 if you can). Thought you could work or apply to be an auto-entrepneur but perhaps you meed residency first or a work visa. France is very bureaucratic... very. Do check any tax agreements between the US and FR... it will differ from what you are used to and may catch you out.

Good luck with the move and feel free to ask questions as been through much of the process.

[scaroo@floss.social]

RE: https://my.devsuite.app/@chergert/116026324458430589

@chergert While sad that the current situation pushes people out of their homeland, their habits and far from their families, as a French I can't be more proud to count you amongst us in the near future. RH is loosing a HUGE asset and hopefully one of @collabora @igalia @codethink @SUSE or whoever will help you continue your awesome contributions to FLOSS. As many in the replies, I am available about any info regarding France and its peculiarities.

[waarisbal@mastodon-belgium.be]

@chergert Welcome to Europe. As many European governments, including the French, are looking for more digital independence you might find some opportunity’s with your background, if you can get a woking visa that is.

[karolherbst@chaos.social]

@chergert sad to hear that the relocations haven't worked out 😢