Student exchange trips to France improve language skills and cultural understanding.
High school students interested in improving their French language skills and gaining a better understanding of French life and culture may benefit from an exchange program. There are a variety of exchange programs to France, ranging from a few weeks to an entire school year. Students typically live with a French family and may attend French schools.
Organisme de S jours Educatifs Francais (OSEF)
Organisme de S jours Educatifs Francais (OSEF) was established in 1994 to encourage exchanges between students in Canada and Australia with those in France, Belgium and Luxembourg.
For Canadian students interested in travel to France, OSEF offers a one-month summer exchange program during July as well as a 9- to 11-week program between the months of February and May. OSEF also has a 4-week reciprocal program designed for Canadian students aged 13 to 17.
In the 4-week program, students arrive in France at the end of June and meet their host families. They return home at the end of July with their exchange partner, who stays with them through August. While in France, students will also enjoy a tour of Paris that includes visits to the Eiffel Tower, Monmartre, Notre Dame and a boat trip on the Seine River.
OSEF France Canada
27520 Thuit H bert
France
+1-011-33-2-3242-2694
osef.ca
Center for Cultural Interchange (CCI)
Students aged 16 and over may be interested in one of the Center for Cultural Interchange's (CCI) independent home-stay opportunities. The program offers stays in Paris and its surrounding suburbs and the rest of France--students may request a preferred region, though placement is not guaranteed.
According to the CCI website, the makeup of host families varies. Some are individuals interested in learning more about the rest of the world, while others may be families with children, and everything in between. Host families are screened to ensure safety and an appropriate environment for exchange guests.
Program costs include lodging and half board (two meals per day) in Paris and full board (three meals per day) in the rest of the country. While families may elect to show guests the sites and attractions of their region, exchange students should also be comfortable venturing out on their own. Exchange participants will have access to a local coordinator to help with any questions, issues or concerns that may arise during their stay.
The program lasts for one to four weeks, and exchange students are allowed to select their preferred travel dates. Applicants must speak basic French and be at least 16 years old, though Parisian applicants must be at least 18 years old.
Center for Cultural Interchange
746 North LaSalle
Chicago, IL 60654-1879
312-944-2544
cci-exchange.com
Nacel
Students seeking an exchange program in a French school may prefer the Nacel program. Students may elect to live with a French family in or around Paris and attend a local public school, or to attend a private boarding school in the cities of Cholet, Oloron Ste Marie or Rodez. Students who select the boarding-school option will live with a French host family on weekends and holidays.
While attending a French school, exchange students can expect to study math, French, a second foreign language, physics, history, geography, art and biology.
Eligible applicants must have a minimum of two years of French language study, a solid academic record and undergo an interview process.
Nacel International
101 rue de Seze
69006 Lyon
France
+1-33-4-78-52-03-85
nacel.org
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