Which
town should you study in ?
We
advise students who are visiting France for the first
time to come to Lyon. Lyon is France's second
largest city after Paris and it offers a wide range
of cultural and leisure activities but, as a town
on a human scale, it is a very pleasant city to live
in : people are not as stressed as in Paris,
there are many quiet areas where you will enjoy walking.
Public transport is very convenient to use :
it only takes 20 minutes to go from one end of the
city to the other by the main underground line. In
Lyon, students have the opportunity to find accommodation
near the school, sometimes at only 5 to 10 minutes'
walk ! This more relaxed lifestyle also makes
it easier for foreign students to meet French and
Lyonnais people.
Nancy is also a pleasant town, where people are renowned to be friendly
and welcoming. Students enjoy a good quality of life in Nancy and find it a
very nice city.
Paris offers all a capital city with a rich cultural heritage can provide
but life in Paris is also more difficult because it is more stressful :
the hectic Parisian lifestyle, transportation problems, accommodation located
far from the city centre might disappoint those who really want to find out
about French life and French people.
The cost of life, especially rent, is also more expensive in Paris.
This
is why we advise students who are coming to live
in France for the first time to register in Lyon.
After their first year in Lyon, they will be able
to further their studies at our Paris school.
When can I register ?
As soon as possible. There are a limited
number of places available in international classes,
as we give priority to small groups which allow everyone
to make progress fast. The number of places in French
classes is also limited : around 3 to 4 foreign students
per class, allowing you to experience a truly French
environment. Some classes fill up by the month of
April.
Do
I need a visa ?
We
advise you to contact the nearest French Consulate
in your country in order to find out whether you
need a visa or not. If you do need a visa, check
how long it will take because, in some countries,
it can take quite a long time (2/3 months). You must
apply for a student visa, which will be issued by
the French Consulate in your country. This visa is
valid for 3 months only. When you arrive in France,
you must apply for a student residence permit which
can be obtained from the "Préfecture de Police".
The residence permit is valid for one year and must
be renewed if you stay longer in France. Once you
have arrived at our school, we can advise you on
how to obtain the residence permit.
When
do the courses start ?
Most
courses start at the end of September or beginning
of October.
Students
are invited to attend an Orientation Day a few
days before the course starts.
Depending
on the field of studies, the courses finish at
the end of May or mid-June.
How
can I get to my accommodation when I arrive ?
If
you prefer to manage by yourself, we can tell you
how to reach your accommodation by taxi, bus or
underground. If you study in Lyon, you can also
request our welcome service. In this case, you
must inform us of your exact date, time and place
of arrival (airport, railway station) at least
2 weeks before your arrival. A taxi driver will
meet you carrying a sign with your name on it and
will drive you to your accommodation. The welcome
service carries an additional charge (please refer
to the fees in the "Accommodation" section).
What
will I need to buy for my flat ?
Studios
in halls of residence are furnished (bed, table,
chair, cupboard) and equipped (fridge, electrical
hotplates) but do not include small items. You
must therefore bring or buy kitchenware, bedlinen,
a blanket, a pillow, and small cleaning items (broom,
floorcloth). Usually, ovens are not included in
the kitchen equipment. In most halls of residence,
bedlinen can be rented and is washed every 2 weeks.
A cleaning service (additional charge) is usually
also provided. In some halls, it is possible to
rent a vacuum cleaner and an ironing board.
Do
I need insurance ?
All
students at our school must have insurance cover.
It is compulsory for students who require a student
residence permit (when a student visa is required).
You can take out insurance in your country. In
this case, you must supply us with your insurance
certificate, detailing your cover. The certificate
must be written in French or English.
You must be covered for the whole academic year.
The insurance can be subscribed in France :
If you are on an international programme, you will have the opportunity to
take out private insurance (175 €), like French Social Security.
If you are on a French programme, you will be able to register for French Social
Security and, if you wish, take out additional private insurance.
Whatever your situation, we will help you with this.
Can
I work in addition to my studies ?
You
can work, but all our programmes are quite intensive
and leave you very little time to work outside
school. It is often difficult to study and work
outside school as it will make it harder for
you to succeed in your studies.
If
you really need to work to pay for your studies,
here are the official regulations regarding student
work :
Students who are EU citizens or who come from a country in the European economic
zone can get part-time jobs without having to apply for official approval from
the French Authorities.
Students who are not EU citizens or who do not come from a country in the European
economic zone but who have a valid student residence permit, can work part-time
but must apply as soon as possible for a temporary work permit ("Autorisation
Provisoire de Travail, APT") from the "Direction Départementale du
Travail et de l'Emploi". The « APT » is valid for 9 months and
can be renewed. Work regulations change regularly. For detailed up-to-date
information, please visit www.service-public.fr , section « Etrangers
en France ».
Will
I be able to use Internet at school ?
In
Lyon, the library is equipped with an Internet
room, to which you can have access if you have
paid the 40 € annual fee. You can visit websites
and send/receive e-mails.
What
is the weather like in France ?
France
has a mild climate, with four distinct seasons :
Average temperatures in degrees Celsius :
Spring (March-June) : 15°/25°
Summer (June-September) : 20°/35°
Autumn (September-December) : 5°/15°
Winter (December-March) : -5°/10°
You
can get information on weather in France on : www.meteo.fr
How
can I meet French people ?
It
is much easier to meet French people in Ecoles
de Condé than in a traditional French language
school as the international students and the
French students share the same buildings and
are sometimes in the same classes.
In Lyon, each international student is mentored by a French student. The French
student's role is to help international student meet French people, and he/she
can invite them to stay with his/her family for a week-end or over the holidays.
He/she will be your first French friend. French mentor students are regularly
invited to Condé International parties, which create other opportunities for
you to get to know each other.
The school regularly organises activities such as film-nights, trips (Paris,
Barcelona, Venice, London…), parties… If you join in these activities, you
will also have the opportunity to meet French people and make friends, and
live a real French student life !
