Meet Jaime

I’m Jaime O’Donnell, founder of The Arrival Society.

I grew up in Baltimore, Maryland dreaming of mastering the French language, understanding cultural differences, and experiencing the Parisian lifestyle firsthand. With the intention of turning this dream into reality, I moved to Paris for a new professional opportunity in 2022.  

There were many bumps in the road as I tackled organizing an international move and re-establishing my life in a country where I had no family or friends. I remember struggling with eight suitcases on the Roissy Bus solo upon arrival, and battling with insurance when my furniture arrived missing three boxes. I felt hopelessly lost when I couldn’t complete the simplest task on my to-do list, and discouraged by the seemingly constant “ce n’est pas possible”s I received from banks, phone companies, and real estate agents.

Flash forward three years and one INSEAD MBA later, I developed a new dream: to marry my passion for cultures & languages with my love of France and desire to contribute to society, by helping expats and their families build foundations and develop communities in Paris.

And tada, The Arrival Society was born! I started TAS to make the relocation journey feel intentional, personal, and empowering. Think of me as your insider guide, cultural coach, and biggest cheerleader as you build your new life in Paris.