I am interested in spending the summer in France to work and improve my French, any ideas of places to go?

Question

I have previously spent 6 weeks in Nantes on a student exchange. I have a good understanding of the French language. I would be interested in any job that offers me the opportunity to meet new people, make new friends and improve my French. I also need accomodation i.e hostels, any ideas?

Answer 1

I know our library has a book on just that subject - try yours?  Can't remember the title but the staff will be able to help you find it.

Answer 2

Normandy or Breton.  Just avoid Paris.

Answer 3

I would suggest anywhere that has France as part of the last line of the address.  Apart from that I wouldn't be much help

Answer 4

Well, you should go anywhere that you have an interest in. But I would advise you to go somewhere in France that you like, and have an interest in.  How about returning to Nantes if you really liked it? An upside of that would be that you're already familier with the area. The downside of that is that you wouldn't be getting out there and seeing more of the beautiful country that is France!

Vannes is a good place to go. It is a small town in Brittany which I went to on the student exchange back when I was 14 and in 2nd year in school. The locals were very friendly and hospitable and patient with me. I have been back there for 4 summers, and enjoyed it every time. They like the Irish (and I am a born and bred Irishwoman, so I know), and so therefore I highly recommend Vannes.

A social job would be very good for you. Here are some job ideas where you would have to interact with people regulary :

Work in a bar

In a shop

In a hotel (receptionist)

In a local library

How about a waitress in a restaurant?

There is a hotel that I stayed in in Vannes which I found very nice, but a tad expensive. It's called Hotel de France, and here is the link : http://www.booking.com/hotel/fr/hoteldef...

But for someplace a little easier on the prse strings, how about a hostel.

Here is a  website  that I have found very useful, it enlists some great deals for acomodation in France, and here is the link : http://www.hotels.co.uk/hotel-france/hot...

Best of luck in France, you'll enjoy it for sure! It's an amazing country!

~Mizz Frenchiie xx

Answer 5

Hi !

I'm interested in spending the summer in Co. Galway to be with my boyfriend and to work there.

Unfortunately, I can't stay the whole summer because I have a cat and I don't want to let him on his own for 2 months. (When I'm away for a week to see my boyfriend, a friend of mine comes everyday to feed my cat and keep him company).

I live in Lille in the North of France.

http://www.lilletourism.com/index_gb.php

http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lille

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ebbtide/set...

http://bonjourlafrance.net/france-trains...  (Just in case you need to locate Lille on a map :-) )

Please, could you e-mail me... I might have an idea.... :-)

Answer 6

I wouldn't go to Paris because I think you'll end up speaking English.

Check out the teaching assistantship program. Since you're Irish, it's organized by the British Council. (Americans-French Embassy in US)

http://www.britishcouncil.org/languageas...

You can chose three Academies (essentially region), you can chose primary, secondary, university level. You must apply then be accepted. I'm not sure how it works with the British Council, but in the US pretty much everyone that applies is accepted.

I know you said you'd like for the summer...but this is from Oct. 1-April 30. Each year. You are paid roughly 775 euros per month (after taxes). Sometimes, you can get free housing at your school.

This is my second year as a language assistant. It's a great way to improve your French and immerse yourself in the culture. (Also, you work 12 hours a week, have 6 weeks of paid vacation!!)

Answer 7

I'm going to Guines.. There are some really cheap villas there.. why not google guines. download google earth, you can search france then