Study in France
Language. Art. Architecture. Religion. Food. Fashion. Business. Technology. Industry. It only takes a day to traverse the beautiful landscape from north to south of this country, but it takes so much longer to truly understand its culture and people.
“I had a wonderful experience during my exchange to France through YFU. My host family and I still talk and visit each other. My exchange allowed me to meet new people and made my host family feel like my own family. The culture and traditions of France feel like my own. Because of my wonderful exchanges with YFU, I decided to go on an exchange back to France in College as a Junior.”
– Amber
+ More About France
Bonjour! Known for food, art, dance, music, literature, and much more, France is a country that is easy to fall in love with. You will experience the joy of living, or “joie de vivre”, while gazing upon the Eiffel Tower or relaxing on the beaches in the south.
In France you will become familiar with the social life of a French teenager as you attend French secondary education, which consists of the Collège and the Lycée (roughly the equivalent of Junior High and High School) that are among some of the best in Europe. French schools tend to last longer than many students are used to – generally until 5:00 or 6:00pm. While this makes for a long school day, students make the most of their free time on the weekends.
Enjoy some of the daily French activities like discovering traditional crafts, visiting a local farm, or attending a concert. In addition to these simple pleasures, you may also have the opportunity to visit local monuments, chateaux, festivals, outdoor adventures, or museums like the Louvre. World renowned for their delectable cuisine, France will offer you delightful creamy dishes and savory cheeses.
+ Scholarships Available
YFU USA is proud to send over 200 American students on cultural exchange with a full or partial scholarship each year. Financial assistance may be in the form of a merit-based scholarship, needs-based financial aid, or Legacy Grant for students who are previously involved in the YFU Community. Scholarships may vary in deadline, requirements, and eligibility. To learn more, please visit our Scholarships Page to find details on the following scholarships eligible for France:
Holcomb & Farnell Foreign Study Fund
YFU Legacy Grant
YFU Financial Aid Fund
Karla Topolka Scholarship Fund
Passport to Equity
+ Application Deadline
Applications for tuition based programs must be submitted by August 15 for Winter/Spring departure programs and March 15 for Summer and Fall. Applications submitted after this date will be considered on a case by case basis depending on availability.
+ Additional Information
Visa Information
All students are required to provide proof of third-party liability insurance for their visa application. Students are likely to be required to present their visa applications in person, so they should budget for travel costs to and from the French visa application center in their jurisdiction. Information regarding visas and other immigration processes will be provided upon enrollment.
Additional Costs
Program tuition does not include visa fees, personal spending money, transportation to/from school, textbooks, or funds for extra-curricular activities or field trips.
While school enrollment fees are included in tuition, attending a private school is common in France. Students may be placed in a private school where additional tuition can be as much as 1400€ per year and is not covered by YFU. Pre-approval of private school tuition will be sent to students and their family before the placement is finalized. Attending a private school and paying additional tuition is at the discretion of the student and their family; a private school placement may be denied to avoid the additional fee.
Important Information
We ask that in addition to all of the supplemental application documents, students applying for our program in France also submit a letter to their prospective host family in French. Students will also need to submit several France-specific forms that will be provided to you by our Registration department – the travel and visit form and a statement of agreement. We will also require a colored copy of the first page of your passport for visa purposes.
Choose Your Program
+ Academic Year Programs
While in France for a year you will get the chance to experience the social life of the French teenager while also attending school. French secondary education consists of the Collège and the Lycée (roughly the equivalent of Junior High and High School) which are among some of the best schools in Europe.
School
Your academic time in France will be spent at the lycée (high school). At the lycée d’education generale, you will take compulsory courses, such as history, math and languages. Compulsory classes are taught in French. If you are placed in the second year of lycée, you may choose a course of study, generally from literature and philosophy, economics and social sciences, or science and math. French schools tend to be challenging. They require students to memorize most material and the day lasts longer than many US students are used to – generally until 5:00 or 6:00pm, so be prepared for the extra hours! Lunchtime in France usually lasts 1-2 hours. This would be a great time to catch up with friends while you enjoy your lunch from the school “cantine.” Students may also show their individuality as uniforms are not required for French schools, however it is encouraged that students dress neatly and in presentable clothes.
Orientations
All students applying for the semester program must be available for a mandatory 3-day National Pre-Departure Orientation*, which usually takes place in mid-July or early December (Spring departures). This orientation is a required part of your program aimed to prepare you for your experience overseas and is covered through your program tuition. All students applying for the Fall semester program will participate in a one-day local pre-departure orientation in May or June.
*Due to COVID-19, the 3-day National Pre-Departure Orientation described above may take place on-line dependent upon recommended guidelines at the time of the event. YFU will continue to assess the situation as it develops.
Upon arrival in France, Fall semester program students will attend a two week intensive summer language and culture camp located in Tours. The camp will offer about 30 hours of French language instruction as well as a day trip to a castle in the Loire Valley, outdoor games, and fun activities with local host families and fellow exchange students from around the world. After the camp, students will attend a welcome orientation to introduce you to France and help you explore elements of French life. A regional orientation is offered to semester students and host families to help you evaluate your personal growth and to prepare you for the best use of your time in France. Towards the end of your stay, a departure orientation will allow you to share with other participants what you have learned and prepare you for your return home.
Extracurriculars
While most French schools do not offer extracurriculars, most students enroll in community youth groups, sports clubs and art schools. To find these activities, students can ask their host family or go to the town or city council to find activities in your areas to try.
| PROGRAM | DEPARTURE | RETURN | FULL TUITION |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 Fall Year | Late August | Late June | $14,595 |
Tuition Includes
- Placement with a carefully selected host family
- Enrollment in a local French high school
- Enrollment in 2 week French Language & Culture camp prior to the program if needed
- Airport transfers
- Domestic and international travel
- All pre-departure and post-arrival orientations
- Pre-program support by trained YFU staff
- Support from an Area Representative in France while on program
- Comprehensive insurance
Age Requirement
- 2024 Fall Departure: Students born June 30, 2007 – August 28, 2009.
- Students who do not meet the age requirement or will graduate before the start of their program will be considered for admission on a case-by-case basis.
- Students who will turn 18 before or during their program are not eligible for enrollment in this program.
Language
French. There is no language requirement for YFU programs to France, however year and semester program students will be required to take a French language placement test. Those with a beginning level of French will attend a mandatory 2 week French Language & Culture Camp prior to the start of the school year, which is included in the program tuition. Students with more advanced French may test out.
Host Family Placement
Students in France are usually placed in small country towns or small sized cities. Students are rarely placed in Paris or other large cities. The most important part of daily life with your host family is the evening meal, where you will share stories and news of the day!
+ Semester Programs
While in France for a semester you will get the chance to experience the social life of the French teenager while also attending school. French secondary education consists of the Collège and the Lycée (roughly the equivalent of Junior High and High School) which are among some of the best schools in Europe.
School
Your academic time in France will be spent at the lycée (high school). At the lycée d’education generale, you will take compulsory courses, such as history, math and languages. Compulsory classes are taught in French. If you are placed in the second year of lycée, you may choose a course of study, generally from literature and philosophy, economics and social sciences, or science and math. French schools tend to be challenging. They require students to memorize most material and the day lasts longer than many US students are used to – generally until 5:00 or 6:00pm, so be prepared for the extra hours! Lunchtime in France usually lasts 1-2 hours. This would be a great time to catch up with friends while you enjoy your lunch from the school “cantine.” Students may also show their individuality as uniforms are not required for French schools, however it is encouraged that students dress neatly and in presentable clothes.
Orientations
All students applying for the semester program must be available for a mandatory 3-day National Pre-Departure Orientation*, which usually takes place in mid-July or early December (Spring departures). This orientation is a required part of your program aimed to prepare you for your experience overseas and is covered through your program tuition. All students applying for the Fall semester program will participate in a one-day local pre-departure orientation in May or June.
*Due to COVID-19, the 3-day National Pre-Departure Orientation described above may take place on-line dependent upon recommended guidelines at the time of the event. YFU will continue to assess the situation as it develops.
Upon arrival in France, Fall semester program students will attend a two week intensive summer language and culture camp located in Tours. The camp will offer about 30 hours of French language instruction as well as a day trip to a castle in the Loire Valley, outdoor games, and fun activities with local host families and fellow exchange students from around the world. After the camp, students will attend a welcome orientation to introduce you to France and help you explore elements of French life. A regional orientation is offered to semester students and host families to help you evaluate your personal growth and to prepare you for the best use of your time in France. Towards the end of your stay, a departure orientation will allow you to share with other participants what you have learned and prepare you for your return home.
Extracurriculars
While most French schools do not offer extracurriculars, most students enroll in community youth groups, sports clubs and art schools. To find these activities, students can ask their host family or go to the town or city council to find activities in your areas to try.
| PROGRAM | DEPARTURE | RETURN | FULL TUITION |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 Fall Semester | Late August | Mid January | $13,595 |
| 2025 Spring Semester | Early January | Late June | $14,595 |
Tuition Includes
- Placement with a carefully selected host family
- Enrollment in a local French high school
- Enrollment in 2 week French Language & Culture camp prior to the program
- Airport transfers
- Domestic and international travel
- All pre-departure and post-arrival orientations
- Pre-program support by trained YFU staff
- Support from an Area Representative in France while on program
- Comprehensive insurance
Age Requirement
- 2024 Fall Departure: Students born June 30, 2007 – August 28, 2009.
- 2025 Spring Departure: Students born June 30, 2007 – December 28, 2009.
- Students who do not meet this age requirement or will graduate before the start of their program will be considered for admission on a case-by-case basis.
- Students who will turn 18 before or during their program will not be considered for admission.
Language
French. There is no language requirement for YFU programs to France, however year and semester program students will be required to take a French language placement test. Those with a beginning level of French partcipating in the Fall semester will attend a mandatory 2 week French Language & Culture Camp prior to the start of the school year, which is included in the program tuition. Students with more advanced French may test out.
Host Family Placement
Students in France are usually placed in small country towns or small sized cities. Students are rarely placed in Paris or other large cities. The most important part of daily life with your host family is the evening meal, where you will share stories and news of the day!