I regretted moving to France. The cost of living was too high for my low salary and I experienced xenophobia — so I moved back to the US.

• Colleen Gill moved to Paris, France in 2016 and lived there for four years. 
• She grew depressed while living and working in Paris. She made minimum wage and the cost of living was high.
• She also experienced xenophobic microaggressions while living in France.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Colleen Gill, a hairstylist from Brooklyn, NY who used to live in Paris, France. It has been edited for length and clarity.

When I first arrived in France, I was amazed by its architecture and art. Strolling through the beauty around me was amazing.