Pam Combastet was announced as the new WICE President in June 2025. She shared her journey from occasional participant to association President with us.
What was your first experience with WICE? What impression did it leave on you?
I’ve been living in Paris for several years. Every time I get involved in cultural things, or writing programs, or sometimes just meeting friends in a cafe, WICE is usually behind it.
I’d been to WICE events, but I really got involved when I participated in the Paris Writers Workshop, which was one of the most amazing experiences I ever had. I was impressed by the professionalism, and the goodwill, and the happiness that people have when they are working on something important.
Working closely with the teacher, and with a group of people who were all as committed, and as afraid, as I was, to get their words out on paper–I felt that the great American novel that I’ve been writing for the past forty years might actually come to me! I came away and thought, “I have to be more involved”.
How did you go from member to President?
I slowly became more involved, then a little bit more. I was thinking about how I could volunteer, thinking about book groups, children’s groups, languages… it never occurred to me that I could be president! When this chance came up, how could I say no? I love this organization, and it was a chance to make a difference.
What has your experience as President been like so far?
I’ve learned to look at things from a more fun point of view. I don’t think of myself as being in charge because so many competent people are around me. Volunteers in WICE are people who absolutely want to contribute and make a difference. Every time I turn around, people say, “Oh, let’s do that”, and things get solved. There are responsibilities and things to do, but I feel like I’m not living in a bubble in Paris anymore. It’s a fantastic team.
What does WICE provide for internationals in Paris?
It’s always hard to put down roots as an expat. The hardest thing for me was making friends. When people come to a country, they need a sense of place, they need a sense of self, and they want to connect with the people there.
That’s locals, but also people who have done what they’re doing; making the jump, coming over, and learning the little things. As I mix with fellow French people, and with foreigners living here, I’m happy to learn how they do things, so that my life, and our collective life, can be that much richer.
I’ve learned a fun fact about France: the word “non” doesn’t mean “no”. It means, “I need a bit of time to think”. Non is the default position for many French people. I’ll say non because I’m not sure, I don’t know. Or it means, “come on, convince me”.
What are your hopes for WICE during your presidency?
I would like for it to continue along this great path that was started by all the people who came before. Jill Bourdais, Ellen Bryson, Rick Jones, and all the volunteer teams who have a vision.
Hopefully we can hopefully continue… no, we will continue to connect, all of us, in a world that seems a little bit fractured. This should be home to our volunteers and to our members. This should be a place where we can come, and bring problems, and get a sympathetic ear.
We have diversity. We have all kinds of groups. We have many, many programs that people can come to. If we can continue on this fantastic track I will be happy.
What would you say to someone considering joining WICE?
You’re probably wondering, “what’s in it for me”? You know what I say? Just come and find out for yourselves. I did it. You’ll meet people, you’ll connect. We’re all looking forward to meeting you.
In a world that’s becoming increasingly disconnected personally, and more and more online, what’s been great for me is getting out there, meeting people, and reestablishing that real connection.
What’s a fun fact about you that most people don’t know?
I applied to be an Olympic torch bearer. I really saw myself running up the stairs lighting the Olympic torch. I got turned down for all the best reasons in the world, namely my arthritic knees, but I tried!
