REFERENCES Health professionals

General Practitioner – Tonje

These last 4 years Maarten has been my guide on this path towards realising my dream of working as a GP in France. With his in-depth knowledge of not only the medical system here, but also the application process and his relationship with the different medical offices her has been an invaluable asset.
He is always ready to answer my questions, and also revising and going through all the different forms and applications making sure everything is in order. He did an excellent job connecting me with my current workplace in France, also considering that I was moving with my husband and 4 children making this choice very important for more than just me.

Working together with Maarten always made me, and my family, feel safe in this process which can feel quite overwhelming if you try and do it on your own.
Knowing some french from before has been helpful for me moving abroad, but the importance of having a decent medical vocabulary is crucial when working with people in the health sector. That’s why I’m also grateful that I am able to attend a course in medical French as well through Maarten and his agency.

All in all, working together with Maarten has made this process feel not only possible but safe and professional all the way.

Gynaecologist – Anika Dam

When we had the vague plan to move to France in 2022, I came across “Work your way to France” through BKV and ended up with Maarten. He used his contacts to find the right place, made the connection and assisted me in the interview with the director. He then provided me with tremendous support in submitting my file to the “l’Ordre de Médecins”. He provided me with detailed instructions, took care of translations himself where he could and with the help of a colleague where necessary. I have particularly fond memories of the French lessons. I believe I was one of the first students online, which I really enjoyed. With the help of the lessons, I was fully prepared for the interview with the l’Ordre, with the result that the interview went very well, almost anticlimactically so. In the meantime, he also guided me through the delays that arose at the l’Ordre and the way things work in France.

All in all, it was a pleasant and positive experience that helped us settle well in France and look forward to the future!

Anaesthetist – Anna Bariciakova

I met Maarten Stroes for the first time six months before starting working in France, when I came to them for the introductory course in medical French.
At that time I didn’t yet have a clear idea of where I wanted to work in France or how long it would take me to settle down. My French was then at level B1.
This first course took place in Saint-Honoré-les-Bains, in a training center with such a homely and welcoming atmosphere that it felt more like a holiday than a very intensive course.
During this week I made very rapid progress, as Maarten was able to quickly and accurately assess the reliable points of each student and modify the course programm accordingly.
At the end of the course I was much more self-confident than before and after having analysed in detail all the possibilities of working in France we started the search for a job.
Maarten sent my CV to several hospitals corresponding to my preferences and we got positive responses from three of them which we visited together.
After choosing the hospital that suited me best, we moved on to the next step – the constitution of the French Boarder (CNOM) registration file. This was the most difficult step because there is a large amount of paperwork to be returned. Maarten showed his very deep knowledge of the registration process by giving very helpful advice. All questions were answered by e-mail in a very short time and once the file was complete he checked it to make sure that no details had been omitted.
Before my definitive installation in Périgueux while waiting for the CNOM’s answer I spent another week in Saint-Honoré-les-Bains, this time for an intensive course focused on anaesthesia, but also to prepare for the interview with the President of the CNOM and for lots of practical questions (opening a bank account, professional liability insurance and administrative file for my new employer). During this stage Maarten was again able to accompany me in an excellent way and I was therefore very well prepared for my move to France. And since then I am always in contact with them to get ‘feedback’ if necessary.
I therefore recommend to all health professionals who love France and want to change their professional or personal life to contact Maarten.

Occupational physician – Natalie

I have fond memories of Maarten Stroes, who supported me every step of the way as I settled in France.
The week-long intensive French course was a very rewarding experience and helped me become more comfortable with the language, particularly with vocabulary specific to occupational medicine.
I also greatly appreciated his advice on how to continue improving my medical French, as well as his patience in answering my many questions about the procedures and specifics of working in France.
Maarten was also present during the video conference interview with my future employer, which reassured me greatly and facilitated the exchange. His professionalism, availability and kindness made this journey both efficient and humane.
Thank you, Maarten, for your support!

Radiologist – Amir Yazdi

I recently took part in the ‘one week intensive French language’ course with Mr Maarten Stroes. The course consisted of numerous exercises of standard grammar and vocabulary but also contained elements, which were customised to my medical field. The 8 hour-per-day program was rigorous but never overwhelming.
Furthermore Maarten engaged me in conversation and encouraged and stimulated me to express myself in French, whilst constantly correcting my mistakes in a strict yet gentle manner; hallmarks of a good teacher. rAt the end the week the progress that I had made was tangible and he kindly provided me with tips, documents and additional resources to work on my French on a self-study basis.

Besides language courses Mr Stroes and his wife offer various additional services in fields such as taxation, insurances, emigration planning and coaching. Their in depth knowledge of the French system and ‘no-nonsense’ approach makes them the ideal partner for professionals and entrepreneurs who wish work and live in France.
Maarten is a knowledgeable and experienced teacher but foremost an honest and friendly person. I look back on our encounter with warm sentiments and can recommend him wholeheartedly to anyone who wishes to know more about the French culture and improve his French.

Anaesthetist – Clare

I recently completed the 5 day intensive French course aimed at medical professionals looking to start working in France. If this is something you are considering, then I couldn’t recommend this course highly enough. The course is intensive without being overwhelming and the progression in spoken French as well as comprehension and grammar is definitely noticeable by the end of the week. Maarten is wonderfully friendly and professional, with the patience of a saint! The course content is personally tailored to your medical specialty, with particular focus on the vocabulary and grammar required to construct sentences and interact with patients and colleagues in the French language. At the end of the course, Maarten also gives you the necessary tools and resources to continue to progress in your language skills in a more self-directed fashion. To add to all of this, the school’s location allows you to experience rural France at its most tranquil, with beautiful countryside walks to help clear your head in the evenings. Highly recommended.

Occupational physician – Gonnie Meijer

When I think back to my course week, “tailored” and “pedagogical insight” are the first words I think of. Tailored in the sense that Maarten through his experience quickly discovered what my weaknesses were and thus reacted accordingly (therefore not simply providing a standard programme). Pedagogy: he was able to fill those gaps in a suitable by alternating conversation, role-playing, watching videos etc. He was also able to clearly explain linguistic difficulties in a way that stuck in my memory and which I can reproduce to this day. Chapeau!

General practitioner – Annet Sollié

Maarten is a quiet, flexible and good teacher. He adapted the level and content of the course to my ability during that week. I progressed by leaps and bounds and I have mainly become much more confident speaking French. Maarten motivates, and challenges you sufficiently. In short, nothing but praise.
My children aged 11 and 13 were given three afternoon classes by Lonneke during this week. My daughter, who essentially refused to speak French at home, participated enthusiastically and even wanted to do her homework as soon as she got home. Working on our emigration together in this way is ideal.

REFERENCES IN FRENCH

Kenneth Kross, médecin-ORL à Moulins

Pour moi, la langue française constituait le plus grand obstacle à l’exercice de ma profession en France. Le stage de français médical m’avait beaucoup aidé à oser franchir le cap et à commencer à travailler bien outillé. C’est pour cette raison que je me suis inscrit (plus d’un an après mon installation et mon premier cours de français médical) au cours de perfectionnement de WyWtF destiné aux professionnels de santé qui exercent déjà depuis un certain temps en France. Cela a été encore très utile pour mieux comprendre mes confrères français, ainsi que les différents organismes auxquels j’ai affaire en France. Après ce stage, je me sens encore plus à ma place ici . Je peux le recommander à tout le monde !