About France

Thinking about France one immediately pictures the Eiffel Tower, crispy baguettes and Café Ole. The French love their country and traditions and while you can find a relaxing and excellent breakfast all over France, you will also find big differences in climate, landscape and lifestyle. The south of France is very hot in summer and with the Mediterranean Sea bordering it the ideal place for a holiday. Towns like St. Tropez and Monaco are tourist hot spots at the southern coast. The north and west of France are characterized by the Atlantic Ocean which makes the weather mild all year round. This coast has been the stage of many historic conquests and battles. The witnesses of this time – countless forts and castles - are still standing today and can be visited by the interested traveller, especially in Brittany. The centre and east have a continental climate with warm summers and cold winters. The heart of France is its capital Paris. With a high quality of life, a great artistic scene and, above all, excellent food it is a visitor magnet! The Louvre, Notre Dame, Champs Elysees and of course the Tours de Eiffel are just some of the must-sees in Paris.   Programs Available Internships Job Placement Program Work Experience French Courses Au Pair   To learn more about the programs we have available use the links at the top of the screen.

Click on the PDF icon to download program details

Internships

 

Placed in a French company, this unpaid internship program gives candidates the opportunity to broaden their professional skills and enhance their CV. The responsibilities given will depend on candidates level of French and professional skills. Some of the fields available are: Marketing Hotel and Catering Sales Tourism Banking   Length from 12 to 24 weeks   Lead Time 3 months

 

Application Requirements

• To be a full time student in higher education
• Intermediate level of French
• Current resume in French
• Cover letter in French
• The application form signed and completed
• A recent ID photo
• A copy of your passport
• Proof of health insurance up to 30,000 €

   

 

Included in the Program Fees

• Internship Placement

• Orientation Meeting upon arrival with practical information on French society

• Help with organising travel outside of Paris

• Help with opening a bank account

• Help with finding accommodation

• Practical guide

 

 

Visa

Candidates requiring visa assistance will be sent the necessary DDTEFP papers (Direction of Employment, Work and Professional Training).

 

 

Program Fees*

• Application Fee: AU$750

• Program Fee: 720 €

 

*Please note that payments in different currencies will be charged in Australian dollars according to the exchange rate of the day. You can check the accurate conversion rates at the time of payment at www.xe.com/ucc. Please also note that an international transfer fee of AUD$35 will apply.

 

Job Placement Program

 

The Job Placement Program is the best way to get a job quickly as interviews with employers are organised for candidates during the first days after arrival in France. With this program candidates can start working in France very quickly.   The jobs are remunerated at a minimum of 8.27 € per hour, and allow days off to discover France.   Length: From 2 months

 

Lead Time:

3 months

 

Application Requirements

• To be a full time student in higher education
• Intermediate level of French
• Current resume in French
• Cover letter in French
• The application form signed and completed
• A recent ID photo
• A copy of your passport and your ISIC card
• A birth certificate officially translated into French
• Proof of health insurance up to 30,000€
• To come during the University holidays

 

Program Fee Includes

• Internship placement
• 2 nights accommodation
• Help with administrative procedures
• Orientation Meeting upon arrival with practical information on French society
• Help with organising travel outside of Paris
• Help with opening a bank account
• Help with finding accommodation
• Practical guide

 

Fees*

• Application Fee: AU$750

• Program Fee: 720 €

 

*Please note that payments in different currencies will be charged in Australian dollars according to the exchange rate of the day. You can check the accurate conversion rates at the time of payment at www.xe.com/ucc. Please also note that an international transfer fee of AUD$35 will apply.

 

Work Experience

 

An efficient way to discover the French way of working, to become familiar with French techniques and methods and to improve professional competences. The aim of the proposed internships is to put the participants in situations to speak and to practice the language. This programme is suitable for students who wish to make their first step into the business world.   Placement depends on length of stay and on the age of the participant – it can be arranged in: Shops Libraries Restaurants Hotels Offices Placement in special areas (marketing, finance, event management etc.) on request. The participants are not remunerated.

 

Location

All year round in Brittany, Saint Malo

 

Length

from 2 weeks

 

Lead Time

3 months

 

Application Requirements

• 17-22 years of age
• To be a full time student in higher education
• Intermediate level of French (3 years)
• Current resume in French
• Cover letter in French
• The application form signed and completed
• A recent ID photo
• A copy of your passport and your ISIC card
• A birth certificate officially translated into French
• Proof of health insurance up to 30,000 €
• To come during the University holidays

   

 

Included in the Program Fees

• Full board accommodation
• Placement
• Welcoming upon arrival at St Malo train station
• Regular check and assistance with local coordinator throughout the program

 

 

Accommodation

The full board accommodation in host families completes the programme and offers the opportunity to get to know the French way of life.

 

 

Program Fees*

• Application Fee: AU$750
• 2 weeks: 730 €
• 3 weeks: 1050 €
• 4 weeks: 1250 €
• Extra week: 360 €

 

 

*Please note that payments in different currencies will be charged in Australian dollars according to the exchange rate of the day. You can check the accurate conversion rates at the time of payment at www.xe.com/ucc. Please also note that an international transfer fee of AUD$35 will apply.

 

 

French Courses

 

This program offers a wide range of French courses with different levels of difficulty and intensity at a language school in Paris. Students may choose among different courses from 2 weeks to 9 months depending on the program selected. The language school is accredited by the national Education Ministry and is a specialist in Continuing Education programs. All year round, they offer a flexible range of programs in general or specialized French (phonetic, Business, Tourism…..) taught by a team of 10 teachers. All of them are specialists in teaching French to foreigners. What better way to learn French than in France itself?

 

 

Language Course Options

 

1. Semi Intensive Course (15 hours per week)
   9:00 a.m. to 12:00 Development of oral expression and pronunciation, acquisition of grammatical structures, and vocabulary, with the support of various audio-visual and written materials

    

2. Semi Intensive Course (15 hours per week)
   9:00 a.m. to 12:00 Development of oral expression and pronunciation, acquisition of grammatical structures, and vocabulary, with the support of various audio-visual and written materials

 

3. Intensive course (19 hours per week + 1 cultural activity)
   9:00 a.m. to 12:00 and 1 workshop* (1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.2 times a week). Morning semi-intensive course intensified by one workshop, a choice between workshops A* or B* to focus on oral OR written expression. Cultural activities on Wednesday afternoon (museum, cinema, guided visit...).

    

4. Intensive course (19 hours per week + 1 cultural activity)
   9:00 a.m. to 12:00 and 1 workshop* (1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. - 2 times a week). Morning semi-intensive course intensified by one workshop, a choice between workshops A* or B* to focus on oral OR written expression. Cultural activities on Wednesday afternoon (museum, cinema, guided visit...).

    

5. Highly intensive course (23 hours per week + 1 cultural activity)
   9:00 a.m. to 12:00 and 2 workshops* (1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. - 4 times a week). Morning semi-intensive course intensified by two workshops to focus on oral AND written expression. Cultural activities on Wednesday afternoon (museum, cinema, guided visit...). This program is designed for students wishing rapid improvement. (not available for true beginners)

    

6. Tailor Made Course or Semi Intensive Private (SIP)
   This course combines a weekly 15 hour group course from 9:00 to 12:00 with 3 hours of individual lessons in the afternoon focused on the student's special needs. Wednesday afternoon cultural activities organized by the school to discover Paris. This program which combines general French courses with individual lessons is recommended for students and professionals with special requests.

    

7. Specialized Course: French for Business
   This course is oriented to the business world to prepare for diplomas awarded by the Paris Chamber of Commerce. At the end of the course, students may register for the DAFA 1st level or 2nd level. Students will practise professional French as found in authentic documents, commercial negotiation, company organisation and communication.

    

   Schedule: Monday and Thursday from 9h30 to 12h30

    

8. Specialized Course: French for Tourism
   This course is oriented to the Tourism field to prepare the CFTH (Certificate of French for Tourism and the hotel trade). This course is tailored for all intermediate or advanced level students wishing to master French used in tourism through real situations approaches.

    

   Open to intermediate levels.

 

Length:

from 2 weeks to 9 months

 

Lead Time:

3 months

 

Application Requirements

• 16 years old and over
• Completed and signed application form
• Proof of Medical Insurance

 

Prices:

Please contact us to receive a current price list.

 

 

Au Pair

 

An "Au Pair" placement in an agreement between a young woman (or man) and a host family. She/he is integrated for a definite period of time in her host family and will take care of their children. This stay in France allows the Au Pair to improve her/his language skills and become fluent in French after a long term stay. The Au Pair discovers a different culture, quickly makes new friends and builds lifetime memories.

 

Participants must enjoy being with children, learn to be patient and responsible. Participants will have (according to their age) to take them to school, pick them up, prepare their meals, play with them, supervise their homework, bath and feed them, etc. The family will ask to help with the housework. The parents can expect participants to help preparing meals; keep their room and the children's rooms in order. Most tasks will be related to the children.

 

Participants will be accommodated in a single room and will receive meals and 80 Euros of pocket money per week. They receive at least one complete day of leave a week and have to expect to work 30 hours a week (5 - 6 days).

 

Length: Minimum 6 - 12 months (all year round); 2- 3 months (during northern hemisphere summer)

Lead Time: 3 months

 

 

Application Requirements

• Aged from 18 to 28 years old
• The application form signed and completed
• Two colour ID photos
• Current resume in French
• Letter to the host family in French
• One character reference demonstrating that the applicant is of sound character and has proven herself or himself to be responsible and trustworthy
• Two child care references related to the applicant experience of the care of children (translated into French)
• Recent medical certificate
• Recent police clearance certificate

   

Fees*

• AU$750

 

*Please note that payments in different currencies will be charged in Australian dollars according to the exchange rate of the day. You can check the accurate conversion rates at the time of payment at www.xe.com/ucc. Please also note that an international transfer fee of AUD$35 will apply.