How difficult would it be to move to Paris and get a job without a college degree?

Question

I'm an American and have just graduated high school. I'm enrolled in college but I really don't know if I even want to go just yet. I just want to do something adventurous and just kind of live before I dedicate myself to a career. Does that make sense?

I know it isn't really practical but I think if I work full time and save up money for a year or so I could do it with a friend.

I'd use the year before I go to learn as much French as I can. I'm a big believer that a good way to learn the language is to immerse yourself in it.

That's it. Thanks a bunch.

Answer 1

To heck with practical. Sounds like a good idea to me.

It would be difficult to get most jobs but give a thought to getting work as an "Au Pair" (a mother's helper). It doesn't pay much, the hours can be long, BUT 1) its job you can get without a college degree 2) it takes care of the problem of finding a place to live (you'll live with the family you work for) 3) Its a job you can get even if you don't speak French and, most importantl;y 4) You can get a visa and work permit for this type of work which probably wouldn't be happening for other types of work.

Here is the webpage of the French embassy about getting a visa to be an au pair.http://www.consulfrance-washington.org/s...

Answer 2

Probably twice as difficult as it would be with a degree.  And the problem starts with getting a work visa.  No work visa, no work.  good luck!

The immersion thing: terrific!  Just go to college, and take a year abroad.  You´re guaranteed a student visa if you do it that way.

Answer 3

not a chance in the world. maybe you could be a volonteer or something

Answer 4

Yes, extremely difficult. Here's my advice: do a year at whatever university you've applied to, and study French while you're there. After that you have two good options.

1. Apply to a French university (tuition is something like 200 bucks a semester), find roommates on a site like www.coloc.fr or www.seloger.fr and put up signs at the university to tutor people in English; that will bring a little cash in. You could also apply to a foreign student program like CIEF in Dijon, which is more expensive, but still cheaper than American university. After you get competant in the language you can start shopping around for a place that will help you get a work visa, but again, this is very difficult to do.

2. Apply for an assistantship at www.frenchculture.org The French government sets aside money every year for something like 1500 American students to come teach English in French high schools. You only work about 12 hours a week, and they pay you around 900 euros/month. It's not a huge salary, but it's plenty to live on, and you'll have lots of free time to try to drum up other work and improve your French in the meantime.

Bonne chance!