Julie Chabanas is an economics correspondent for the French international news agency Agence France-Presse (AFP). She is based in Washington, D.C., where she covers macroeconomics, especially on topics related to the Federal Reserve and the Treasury Department. She often works with data, examining GDP and inflation—topics that have resonated with many Americans due to the economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The macroeconomics team Chabanas works with is small, comprised of just four people: Two French journalists and two English-speaking ones. They’re a tight-knit group and their coverage also examines the international economy, reporting on topics pertaining to commerce, trade, the U.S.’ relationship with China, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank.

Chanabas moved to the U.S. in early 2020, just two months before the country shut down in a bid to curb the spread of a virus that has to date killed over 1 million people. Her time in the U.S. has certainly been affected by this experience, to say nothing of the political upheaval surrounding the 2020 election.

“Working abroad, sometimes in many different countries, is part of AFP’s DNA,” she tells The Association of Foreign Press Correspondents (AFPC-USA). This is her first assignment abroad and she’s flourished both professionally and personally as she’s navigated the politics and culture of this country as a resident instead of as an outside observer.

The following interview has been condensed and edited for clarity.

What aspects of your home country do Americans typically overlook or misunderstand?

They often think we start our work days at 11:00 am like in Emily in Paris! More generally, the French labor laws are sometimes hard to understand from a U.S. point of view.

But generally speaking, I was surprised to discover that so many Americans (in the D.C. area at least) have links with France, either having learned French language, or even have lived in France for a while.

How do people in your home country perceive the United States and Americans?

Many people in France are attracted to this country because they grew up with its TV, movies, and music, where a lot of trends come from. They often think everything is possible in the U.S.

But in the meantime, it’s a country French people love to dislike, because of its influence, because it’s the most important in the world, because it is involved in many global conflicts, because they have big cars…

How would you describe your impressions and observations of the United States?

Even though I already knew the U.S. due to having travelled there many times before I moved here, I discovered that the differences between it and France are much bigger than I thought. I couldn’t mention everything, but living in the country enabled me to understand what these important “communities” mean. My kids are attending public school, so I saw it being built. Also, the way teachers give confidence to kids, and teach them that they can be who they want, is amazing. One thing that really hurts me more and more though, is the lack of environmental consciousness compared to Europe.

Why were you specifically chosen to work as a foreign correspondent in the United States instead of another country?

Working abroad, sometimes in many different countries, is part of AFP’s DNA. I’d shown my interest in the U.S. for a while, so I guess my motivation helped a lot. And since the position I applied for was in the economics department in D.C., my background in economics was definitely my main asset.

Among the stories you have covered in the United States, which do you consider the most significant and why?

I think the current shutdown threats are really significant. We usually cover this topic as a team, with my colleagues who cover the Congress and the White House. This recurrent story really shows how polarized U.S. politics is. We know that every time there will be talks until the last minute (most of the time they find an agreement, but sometimes… they fail!). The situation it can create is insane because just like that, the world’s most important economy could be frozen, with million of people not receiving their paychecks.

What challenges did you face when starting your work as a foreign correspondent in the United States?

Besides COVID-19 (I started in January 2020!), I think the main challenge was getting to know about all the U.S. programs, political figures, agencies, and some cultural aspects … All these things that are mentioned in stories, speeches, documents, and that are needed to fully understand the situation. And then to properly report it.

Chabanas interviewing U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen.

How has your experience working in the United States shaped and influenced your career as a foreign correspondent?

This is my first position a foreign correspondent, so everything is new to me.

What are some key insights or observations you gained about American society and its political landscape during your time reporting in the country?

I started this position at a very interesting time, during the last year of Trump’s mandate at the White House, the Black Lives Matter movement, the 2020 campaign, the election, and January 6th… so of course the first thing we can see is that the gap between these two Americas is really getting wider and wider. Besides that, one of the topics that I am the most interested in is how the work environment has reshaped since Covid. The fact that many people in the U.S. don’t want to go back to the office is really significant, people want to have space in their lives for something else than just work.

How do you balance your role as an impartial journalist with the potential impact your reporting may have on diplomatic relations between your home country and the United States?

I don’t have that issue in mind in my daily work.

What advice would you give to aspiring foreign correspondents looking to work in the United States or other foreign countries?

To read the international news on a regular basis and get as many contacts as you can.