Moving to France to learn the language

greyed

Hey, this seemed like the right forum, apologies if its not...
I have just finished the leaving, and although I didnt exactly strain myself my head is wrecked and I think I want to do something different... which is why I was thinking about moving to france for a year before coming back to college here(if i get the points:rolleyes: ) I would really like to pick up the language and it would undoubtfully be useful. I have not made any moves towards this, just been on my mind really so I was wondering about what exactly is involved in the whole process, is it easy to find work in France(a city)? what kind of income would I need if I wanted to stay for a year and what kind of accomodation? recommend going with a friend? are there bureaucratic barriers, etc, or basically anything else I should know... if anyone has any experiences they could share, that would be great. My goal would be to pick up the language, with everything else secondary... though some fun wouldnt hurt... any info would really help

Shinto

Hi Greyed.

I did a similar thing a few years ago. That is, i went to France for a year to learn the language. Like you, i just wanted to do something different and get the hell out of predictable Ireland for a while (there's only so much conversation about Hurling and House Prices that a man can take).

However, i went there to study, not to work. So on getting jobs and stuff i couldn't really advise you. Sorry.

But the FAS website seems to have info on such matters....
http://www.fas.ie/en/Job+Seeker/Working+and+Training+Abroad/default.htm

If you can afford it, i'd recommend being a student rather than working. Work is sh1t. College is fun.

studying in France...
http://www.cnous.fr/

My old uni...(p.s. you can enter even if your french is sh1te, they have different levels)
http://www.unicaen.fr/cefe/Site%20CEUIE%207/VA/Menu_Ang.htm

good luck. See ya.

greyed

Cheers Shinto, excellent links there... should get me on track. Studying in a college would be great for my (basic)french and sounds good alright, working may be necessary though as its usually down to money. I do like my Ireland, hheh which is predictable, you're right, though like I said would like a change so ill look into it further, thanks again for the info.

nervous_twitch

I'm currently working in Lyon, France; admittedly just for the Summer - back to college in October, but I'll be spending a year in Paris next year. Rather than play student, I'm hoping to work for that year too, as it has a variety of advantages.

1. Money. Not the be all and end all, but if your living costs arent too expensive (which has proved the case here in Lyon), you could end up coming home with a tidy sum, which is always useful. On the other hand, you could spend it all over here and just have the craic - days off etc. Or even take the last two months off to travel or relax or whatever. Currently I work nights, so I have most of the day to chill.

2. French. In an environment where you're constantly interacting with French customers, and French staff members, its impossible not to improve. Like college, there is also the opportunity to make friends; customers and staff alike, helping you to set yourself up (I do bar work, so its been fine)

Either way, you'll have a ball of a time - its pretty easy to adjust to French living. Its not too different from home. Enjoy.

Will

i myself am in lyon too! Been here since last August, spent the year in INSA. Found the college life here very different to ireland, granted that the university in which i was in was a grand ecole (nerds nerds and more nerds)

working here is fine, pretty handy, 37.5 hour week no overtime though. french people contrary to popular belief are lovely people in general, as long as you make the effort to speak french to them. I would highly recommend it, even for erasmus if you go to college.

nervous_twitch: where you working? one of the bars, im working beside parc de la tete d´or, cite internationale to be exact

little_sheep

greyed wrote:

Hey, this seemed like the right forum, apologies if its not...
I have just finished the leaving, and although I didnt exactly strain myself my head is wrecked and I think I want to do something different... which is why I was thinking about moving to france for a year before coming back to college here(if i get the points:rolleyes: ) I would really like to pick up the language and it would undoubtfully be useful. I have not made any moves towards this, just been on my mind really so I was wondering about what exactly is involved in the whole process, is it easy to find work in France(a city)? what kind of income would I need if I wanted to stay for a year and what kind of accomodation? recommend going with a friend? are there bureaucratic barriers, etc, or basically anything else I should know... if anyone has any experiences they could share, that would be great. My goal would be to pick up the language, with everything else secondary... though some fun wouldnt hurt... any info would really help

to find a work in france is not really easy if you are young and withou experience. But you can easily find something in MacDonald for exemple or company like this.
I think it's better to go alone because with a friend you will speak with him in english even if you want to improve your french.
To find a good accomodation it's really difficult even for a french guy (I'm french and to find an accomodation it's not very easy because landlord don't like stranger because they are affraid to don't be paid --> sorry for my english !). Anyway try to find accomodation in university it's will be easier.
Good city : Nantes, Bordeaux (but very exepensive), Rennes, Toulouse (lot of young people), Lilles, Paris (but very very very expensive), Lyon (expensive too) but avoid south east of France. lot of old people...

droc

I've been living in Paris for 6 years, if you're willing to do bar work it's pretty easy to find work here and it's good craic. That said, it's not the ideal environment for learing French and chances are you'll end up spending more time drinking than doing anything else unless you make a pointed effort not to.

I spent five months in Lyon about 10 years ago when I was only 19, great city, but harder to find work than Paris.

DROC

greyed

Sorry there, neglected to check back on this...
Thanks guys, this is just the kind of information im looking for... got myself a job here so hopefully ill have some money for this if it goes ahead. Looks like advantages/disadvantages to both working ans studying, as with everything I guess... but this helps alot, appreciate it.

Thanks for the cultural info little_sheep, dont worry about the english, im sure my french will be worse;)

maebee

My son has secured an apprenticeship with a company on the outskirts of Paris and he will be starting in a few weeks time. The company will put him up for the first week and after that, he has to find his own accommodation. We are unfamiliar with Paris (and the French language), I am requesting that if there are any posters here who could advise on cheap accommodation/transport etc, could they please pm me?

Thanks in advance.

O.

The thing is, in Paris to rent an apartment it's not like here. The landlord will ask guarantee, i.e. proof of revenue (you need to earn at least 3 times your rent) + 3 months paid in advance.

For a cheap place (what's your budget?), better to look in the suburb close to a RER station.

maebee

Thanks for the reply O. As he is only starting an apprenticeship, he won't be on big money. I think he will be on about €450 a week. He's thinking about hostel or student accommodation. The area is Vitry-sur-Seine, Paris.
Are you familiar with this area? Many thanks.