Complete French Course Testimonial: David Jimenez

We asked David about his experience with the Complete French Course and putting his French skills to use while living in Paris.

You can find David on Instagram at @davidjimenezstudio. Be sure to check out his book, Parisian by Design.

I’m an American interior designer from New York City. I love creating beautiful spaces, and I’m drawn to travel, architecture, history, and different cultures. My first visit to Paris changed everything. It sparked a lifelong love of France that eventually led me to relocate here.

It has been deeply meaningful for me.

Learning French was a huge part of my naturalisation journey. I wanted to fully immerse myself in the country I’ve chosen to build my life in. France has given me so much: friendships, amazing professional opportunities, inspiration, and a way of life that I truly love.

When it came time to prepare for my B1 exam and naturalisation interview, I leaned heavily on Alexa’s course. It gave me the confidence to walk into both knowing I was ready. Passing the B1 exam and later the naturalisation interview felt incredibly rewarding because I knew how much work had gone into getting there.

I’m now waiting for the final decision from the French administration and hoping to receive good news very soon.

I love it… but it wasn’t always easy.

It took patience and resilience because there were times when I struggled to understand why I wasn’t connecting. For example, in the US, culturally our approach is much more casual. Here in France, starting every conversation, request, or interaction with Bonjour Madame or Bonjour Monsieur, s’il vous plaît, before asking your question was not intuitive and led to a few awkward moments in the beginning. Once I understood the importance of that gesture, it changed my day-to-day experience. Now, understanding and honoring the nuances that make French culture unique has been one of the greatest joys. It’s that politesse that I love so much because it’s considerate, respectful, and warm.

Even after all these years, I haven’t lost my sense of wonder. I love that beauty is everywhere here. It might be the patina of an old doorway, the way they meticulously stack fruit at quaint neighborhood markets, or simply the light bouncing off the waves on the Seine at the end of the day.

Paris constantly inspires me. It reminds me to slow down, notice things, and enjoy everyday moments.

When I first moved to Paris, I didn’t speak any French and found learning the language much harder than I expected.

I enrolled in several schools, including Alliance Française, and while they provided a good foundation, something was missing. Then I came across Alexa’s videos on YouTube and later signed up for the Complete French Course.

I started the Complete French Course six months before applying for my naturalization one year ago, and it became my primary focus as I prepared for both my B1 exam and my interview.

What I loved immediately was how logical everything felt. One lesson naturally led into the next. For the first time I felt I wasn’t just memorizing French. I was actually building it piece by piece.

The structured way Alexa presents each lesson, her calm, methodical, and consistent teaching style, and the detailed support guides and supplementary videos created an incredible richness in the learning experience. But beyond the excellent format, what truly resonated with me was Alexa’s warmth, humor, and constant encouragement. That human connection made all the difference.

I’ve now made it a point to take the course again as a refresher during my holiday break at the end of the year. It’s a wonderful way to deepen my knowledge and continue improving.

I use French every single day at work with my colleagues, with artisans, suppliers, and clients, but honestly some of my favorite moments are the spontaneous ones.

Engaging more confidently with neighbors, talking with antique dealers in little villages, going to the bakery, having conversations at the market… those experiences are what make you feel like you’re really living in France instead of just passing through.

Learning French with Alexa’s program completely transformed my experience of living in France.

Her work has supported me in achieving what once felt impossible: a lifelong dream of building a life in France.

One of the unexpected joys has been sharing my passion for France with others through my book, Parisian by Design, and on Instagram. Both have become ways of celebrating the people, places, craftsmanship, and everyday beauty that first made me fall in love with this country.

Don’t put pressure on yourself and trust the process.

I think so many people are afraid of making mistakes, but that’s how we learn.

When I started the courses, my stress level was high because I wanted to achieve maximum results in the shortest time possible. I remember skipping some of the supplementary videos for speed and soon realized I was missing important content. So I went back, slowed my pace, and was rewarded with a much deeper understanding of the language. The course isn’t designed to be rushed. Every lesson, guide, and supplementary video has a purpose. Once I embraced that, my confidence and my French improved much more quickly.

Also, find a reason that makes you excited to learn. For me it was never just about passing an exam. I wanted to have conversations, build friendships, understand French culture, and really feel part of the country I had fallen in love with.

And finally, be patient. Looking back, it’s incredible to think I arrived in Paris without speaking French. If someone had told me then that one day I’d pass the language exam for French naturalisation and do my interview entirely in French, I honestly wouldn’t have believed them.