France Studying

It’s hard to dread the first day of school when Paris is your campus and exotic restaurants are your meal plan. A growing number of students report that studying abroad is the highlight of their learning careers. If you’ve never studied abroad, you don’t know what you’re missing—and if you have studied abroad, you do know what you’re missing. Either way, don’t miss it.

Visa Information. Non-EU citizens hoping to study abroad in France must apply for a special student visa from the French consulate. There is a short-stay visa for stays up to 90 days as well as two long-stay visas: one for three to six months and one for six months to a year. Prospective students must fill out two to four applications—depending on the consulate—for the appropriate visa and provide a passport valid for at least three months after the student’s last day in France, plus two extra passport photos. (When in doubt, bring extra copies of everything.) Additionally, students must give proof of enrollment in or admission to a French learning institute, a letter from the home university or institution certifying current registration as a student, a financial guarantee with a monthly allowance of US$600 per month during the intended stay, and proof of medical insurance. Finally, there is a visa application fee of €60 for short-stay visas and €99 for long-stay. When in France, students with long-stay visas for more than six months must obtain a carte de séjour (residency permit) from the local Préfecture de Police; students should file to obtain the card as soon as possible upon arrival. They will be required to undergo a medical checkup in addition to providing much of the same information needed for a visa. EU citizens do not need a visa or a carte de séjour, provided they have backup identification, including proof of address. See www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en for more information.

Study-abroad programs range from basic language and culture courses to university-level classes, often for college credit (it’s legit, Mom and Dad). In order to choose a program that best fits your needs, research as much as you can before making your decision—determine costs and duration, as well as what kind of students participate in the program and what sorts of accommodations are provided. France has a wide range of study options that offer different experiences, from direct enrollment in French universities to American programs with American professors and French resources.

In programs that have large groups of students who speak the same language, there is a trade-off. You may feel more comfortable in the community, but you will not have the same opportunity to practice a foreign language or to befriend other international students. For accommodations, dorm life provides a better opportunity to mingle with fellow students, but there is less of a chance to experience the local scene. If you live with a family, you could potentially build lifelong friendships with natives and experience day-to-day life in more depth, but you might also get stuck sharing a room with their pet iguana. Conditions can vary greatly from family to family.

Universities

Most university-level study-abroad programs are conducted in French, although many programs offer classes in English as well as lower-level language courses. Savvy linguists may find it cheaper to enroll ...more

Language Schools

Enrolling at a language school has two major perks: a slightly less rigorous course load and the ability to teach you exactly what those kids in Toulouse are calling you under their breath. There can ...more

Culinary Schools

Those truly devoted to the art of French cuisine should be prepared to shell out extra cash for semester- or year-long programs in the world’s culinary capital. For more intimate courses based on farms ...more

Art Schools

One final—and, again, pricey—study-abroad option will let even the amateur finger painters discover their inner Rodins. Centre de Sculpture, Fonderie de la Dure, Montolieu 11170, Toulouse (☎ ...more