Ahh France. The romantic, breathtaking, idyllic European destination where baguettes fall from the sky and Nutella runs through the river. People study abroad in France to chase dreams, whether they are of invigorating cosmopolitan cities filled with light, music, and art, or of sleepy rural villages reminiscent of a Monet original masterpiece.
We can’t say for sure that the townspeople will regularly break into song when you study abroad in France, but...maybe.
Study abroad programs in France make for a quintessential college experience. Spice up your undergrad (or grad program, who are we to assume?) with a semester (or two) in a country known for exquisite cuisine, pastoral countryside, and passionate people.
Deciding to study abroad is already the best decision you’ve made this year, guaranteed. But we’re going to help you go the rest of the way by extending specific advice on studying abroad in France. Tips and tricks to ensure your experience is a dream come true await! Who knew researching for school would be so fun and easy?
How to make the most of study abroad in France
1. Practice your language skills as often as possible
Parlez-vous français? You won’t if you’re not practicing on the daily! Speaking the language is a good idea when traveling in general, but when you study abroad in France it’s a must. The French are very proud of their culture and their language, and have been known to pretend to not know English when tourists don’t try to speak French. Even though about 40% of the French do indeed speak English, you’ll be better off expecting they don’t. It’s more respectful, and frankly more fun, to try your best.
The more you practice, the quicker you’ll become comfortable in a foreign country, so why not speak the language while you study abroad? France will be more exciting if you get to know it through language. Bonus: it sounds beautiful. Are you ordering an espresso, or professing your undying, passionate love to the barista? Every word uttered in French = pure magic.
It’s easy to practice French while studying abroad in France. Tips:
- Order food and drinks in French
- Ask for directions to a museum — in French
- Make friends with local students and start a little language exchange
- Live with a host family
- Watch TV and movies in French
Seriously, we’re hungry just looking at this.
2. Eat the food
Is this too obvious? Maybe. But we’ll make any excuse to talk about French cuisine. Only problem is we’re not currently doing a study abroad in France, we’re just dreaming about the flaky pain au chocolat sitting next to a freshly pressed espresso shot. Lucky for you, study abroad programs in France are a great excuse to indulge in some of the best things in life (e.g., pastries, cheese, and wine!).
But this article wouldn’t be very helpful if it just gave you obvious advice about living in France. Study abroad tips need to give you a little more insight. When you’re in Paris, go global with the dishes you consume. Paris has an excellent offering of foreign cuisines you must try. Stroll down Rue de Belleville for some amazing Asian foods, or L’as du Falafel for authentic Middle Eastern eats.
Avoid chains at all costs when you’re in France. Explore local neighborhoods to get authentic French cuisine, and look for menus completely in French. Bonus points if you can actually read them!
3. Pack light
One of the most daunting parts of studying abroad in France is packing. The best way to tackle this is to start planning way before you leave. Lists are lifesavers. Organize them by category (clothes, shoes, toiletries, electronics, medicine, etc.) and write down all the things you think you’ll want. Then leave that list somewhere for a few days. Forget about it. Seriously.
Once you come back with a fresh pair of eyes, you can eliminate some of the extra stuff. If you’re anything like us, you don’t need any extra baggage. It’s also helpful to pack, unpack, pack, and repeat to get a feel for how things will fit in your luggage.
One of the best studying abroad in France tips is to not overpack—you’ll regret it later (and so will your back).
Bring super basic clothing. Lay out outfits, and think about how things can mix and match to maximize options. Neutral and complementary colors will do wonders for your wardrobe. Prepare for weather, but don’t bring five pairs of pants that are basically the same.
Layers are your friend! Spice up simple things with a scarf, some jewelry, or a hat. Remember that when you study abroad in France, you’ll have access to clothing/electronics/pharmacies/etc. If you forget something you can always buy it there.
[Related: The Art of Light and Precise Packing: What to Bring When Studying Abroad]
4. Don’t skip attractions
One of the perks of studying abroad in France is that you’ll have time to do all the touristy #basic things AND find niche local things as well. So you don’t need to cram in all those attractions ASAP. Do it like the French and opt for the leisurely experience.
Just because it’s touristy doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do it. How often do you get a chance to visit the Eiffel Tower? You probably don’t need to push your way to the top through troves of tourists, but at least pop by and marvel at its majesty for a while.
Love art? Go to the Louvre! Sure, it’ll be crazy busy, but it’s the freakin’ Louvre. Don’t skip the Musée d'Orsay or Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Chartres, but also look into smaller contemporary museums since you’re already living in France.
Study abroad tips don’t stop there: museums are free on the first Sunday of the month, so you can afford to see all those fancy touristy things on a student budget.
5. Keep a budget / mind yo’ money
PLEASE stick to a daily budget when you study abroad in France. Costs add up faster than you’d think.
Speaking of that cash money… It can be stressful to balance having fun and staying alive while traveling, especially since you most likely won’t be making any money while you study abroad in France. Quick reality check: you’re not on vacation, you’re in school.
That being said, you don’t want money to be a constant cloud over your head ruining your experience. If you want to enjoy your time abroad, you gotta be smart about money. Luckily, many study abroad programs in France include some amenities that’ll make day-to-day costs a little less intense. You can live in the dorms, have a meal plan, maybe even get a scholarship.
You can still explore expensive places like Paris on a budget. It just requires a little strategic thinking and planning. The internet is your friend when it comes to travel and budget hacks, it just takes a little time and effort to lay everything out for yourself. Don’t forget to plan for currency exchange, transportation expenses, and a specific croissant budget is probably a good idea… give yourself a good buffer on that one.
[Related: Crunching the Numbers: 6 Tips to Create (& Stick to) Your Study Abroad Budget]
6. Public transportation is your friend
Ah, one of the great lessons of studying abroad in France: public transportation.
You most likely won’t have access to a car, so if you want to explore the country, you better be prepared to get comfortable with busses, trains, and metro (oh my!).
Getting intimate with public transportation is mandatory while studying abroad in France. Not only is it quicker, safer, and cheaper, but you’ll seriously open up your exploratory options. If you’re in Paris, you’ll be happy with how easy the metro system is. There are over 15 metro lines connecting the city underground, and five that extend into the suburbs. But just so ya know, they don’t run 24/7, so plan accordingly.
Outside of Paris, you’ll still have access to public transport. While every town has some sort of public transport service, smaller rural regions will require more planning and stitching together of routes. While researching different study abroad programs in France, take into account the region/city and the travel accessibility that goes with it.
7. Blend in; Be local
The best France study abroad tips tell you to immerse yourself in the culture, and this list is no different. If you’re studying abroad in France, you’ll want to experience it authentically. But what does it mean to be French?
If you’re already speaking the language, you’re on the right path. Walk a bit farther down the path and you’ll learn to start every interaction with a friendly bonjour or bonsoir. You’ll notice that locals dress in dark colors, and they rely on layers to look classy.
It would be super Euro of you to wear a scarf, so whip that silky thang out. You gotta look local to learn what the locals do. Where do they hang out? What are the student hubs? Ask around — in French — and casually become the French person you were meant to be.
When you greet someone, the air kiss is indeed in, so don’t freak out. It’s also very French to compliment people incessantly. It’s culturally appropriate to express what you like about people, so get crackin. “What a nice jacket! I loved the food, it was delightful! Your poodle is so fluffy, I would love to bury my face in its cloudlike fur.” Totally normal to say that kind of stuff to French people. Totally. Normal.
[Related: 7 Things Every Student Should Know Before Studying in Paris]
8. Rural or urban?
The hustle and bustle is in Paris, but you can find authentic France when you go rural, too.
Obviously there is more to France than just Paris, but for some people, Paris is the ultimate goal and the dream. If you want to study abroad in France, think about the environment you want to spend time in. What are your values? What are your goals for your experience?
If you are looking for a flashy fast-paced city scene with access to museums, clubs, art, and a myriad of people, Paris is a great place for you. But like most big cities, living there can start to rack up expenses.
If you are drawn to a more leisurely lifestyle with soft grassy meadows and rolling green hills, maybe look into rural France. There may not be as many English speakers, so be prepared to practice your French (and your cheese making skills, because living on a farm sounds charming af).
There are so many fantastic options for studying abroad in France; tips like these will help you narrow it down. Each city has a different vibe, with different pros and cons. Paris is great, but Lyon is brimming with UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Nice gives you beaches and countryside, while rural areas give you a little more peace of mind. Check out some of the other best cities to study abroad in.
TL;DR: Cities = more poppin’, more English, more expensive. Rural areas = less bustle, less English speakers, less expensive. All places = totally worth it.
9. Keep in touch with fam, but make friends <3
Living abroad is romanticized (for good reasons!), but the reality is it can be really tough to study abroad. France is def going to be one of the best decisions you ever made, but you’re also going to experience an emotional rollercoaster of culture shock and homesickness. It’s going to be a bumpy ride, so make sure you have a good support system.
Take care of your psyche while transitioning into your life abroad by keeping in touch with family and friends back home, but don’t let that tether you down. Schedule in video chats and phone calls, but make sure to explore! Make friends with locals, have them show you around, and become comfortable in your new home.
Don’t waste your time while studying abroad in France. Make the most of it!
At the top of our France study abroad tips? Enjoy EVERY moment.
You would be in-Seine to pass up the opportunity to study abroad! France is the perfect place to discover your culinary skills, delve into architectural theory, or refine your artistic technique. Study abroad programs in France will set you up for success, so don’t stress out! Sure, you should do your research, but GoAbroad’s team is happy to help find the perfect program for you.
Everyone will have a slightly different experience abroad, which is part of what makes it so special. You get to choose a program and a country that speaks to you and your passions, and what better place to find that passion than France? The country has a lofty reputation, so you better go find out if it’s worth all the hype. We don’t think you’ll be disappointed in what you find.
We know you are going to love studying abroad in France. Tips are fresh in your mind—so check out ALL study abroad programs in France!
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