France

Please note that

• Students applying for France will need to have a basic knowledge of French to allow easy adaption to school and Host family life. A language course is strongly recommended.
• Students applying for a short program departing in August or January will incur an additional fee for airport assistance.
• Some program arrivals include an orientation in Paris at an additional cost. (for August/September departures only).  This is an extra AU$1,090/NZ$1150.
• Please be aware that France now requires specific pages to be completed for the Medical and School information. The French application form is on our downloads page or please ask our office.

Please click here for language requirements

Pick your preferred location in France

Students applying for a Semester or Academic Year program to France have the option to pick the region they would like to live in during their exchange. Students can select up to 3 regions. If applicants are successfully placed in one of their preferred regions, then an additional location fee will be applied to the normal program price. Providing you meet our usual eligibility criteria, your placement on one of these limited spots will be confirmed when your application is received by our office, accepted and your deposit paid. 

Location selection options are subject to availability and are not guaranteed.

Select a Region

AU$1,690/NZ$1,890

The additional fee is payable if an applicant is successfully placed in the following regions:

• Hauts de France 
• Grand Est 
• Normandy 
• Brittany 
• Pays de la Loire 
• Nouvelle Aquitaine 
• Occitanie 
• Centre Val de Loire 

Sibling Request 

AU$1,890/NZ$1,990

Request a family with children living at home (age +/- 2 years)

Select a Metropolitan Area 

AU$6,490/NZ$7,190

Metropolitan area requests: The student will be placed in the metropolitan area of chosen city (according to availabilities).  The metropolitan area is an area within 25 km from city centre and access to public transport.

The additional fee is payable if an applicant is successfully placed in the metropolitan area of the chosen city.

• Lille
• Reims
• Bordeaux
• Nancy
• Rennes
• Toulouse
• Nantes
• Perpignan

Select a Suburban Area

AU$1,990/NZ$2,190

Suburban area requests:  Suburban areas of medium cities / towns (+/-15 000 – 100 000 inhabitants).

Note: If the student cancels their guarantee or program after acceptances, the Guarantee Fee is non- refundable. Providing you meet our usual eligibility criteria, your placement on one of these limited spots will be confirmed when your application is received by our office, accepted and your deposit paid. Location Option pricing is valid for departures up to and including March 2024 and is correct at the time of publishing, March 2023.

The 2WayExchange Experience involves you in a unique exchange program where students from Australia are ‘matched’, with a student in either France or  Italy. You choose which country and spend 3 months with each other’s families and attend school. It amounts to twice the experience and at a fraction of the usual cost of a 3 month exchange program. Click here to find out more.

Schools

You will be enrolled in a local school - College or Lycee - depending on your age. The school year starts in early September and goes through to the beginning of July.

Students have a fixed subject curriculum until year 10 and, from year 11, have 3 streams of study to choose from. There isn't any school uniform in France, even in private schools and students wear casual clothes to school.

Age and Eligibility

You must be between the ages of 15 and 17 and be enrolled at school when applying. Basic language skills are required for all programs in France. 

Visas

Aussies and Kiwis will travel on a tourist visa for short programs lasting 2 to 3 months.

Students on a long program will need to lodge their application in person and attend a face to face interview at the Consulate in Sydney or Wellington (with a parent if under 18).

Find out more - Attend one of our Info Sessions

If you would like to find out more information on our programs, please attend one of our free LIVE Online sessions. 

• Meet our staff
• Hear comprehensive information on all aspects of exchange
• Ask questions
• Listen to questions asked by other students and parents
• Meet other students who are considering going on exchange

Information evenings run for about an hour. They are friendly and free and are the best way for us to address your specific questions in person.