Tips for finding study programs, work and long-term accomodation.
Living semi-permanently in France studying
or working is often a good way to really
experience local culture. However we do
encourage all travellers to consider whether
the job they require would be of more benefit
to a local person particularly in areas
of high unemployment. If you have advice
or a job placement, please e-mail us with
your information at france@backpackglobe.com
WORKING
In France anyone with an EU (European Union)
passport may work although you still need
to apply for a residence permit (carte de
séjour). If you do not have an EU
passport, it is more difficult in France
than other European countries to find work
outside of legal channels. The government
is concerned about too much immigration
as unemployment is already high and the
government is keen that available jobs go
to French citizens first. Priorities after
that go to EU citizens and then other people.
EU citizens must still prove themselves
more qualified than any French citizen.
Non EU citizens must prove themselves more
qualified than EU and French citizens! Therefore
the best chance for work lies with those
who have highly specialised skills. Non
EU citizens need a visa de long sejour (this
allows you to live in France without working
or being schooled, but requires a financial
guarantee, proof of medical insurance and
police clearance).
Job ideas
If the above has not put you off then try
looking for English teaching or work for
a small business. Au pair work is also popular.
The best place to look for work is Paris
Free Voice and France USA Contacts (free
English language magazines. Both are available
at the American Church (65 Quai d'Orsay,
métro: Invalides) and the major English
language bookshops including WH Smith (place
de la Concorde, métro: Concorde)
and Shakespeare & Co. (37, rue de la
Bûcherie, métro: Saint Michel).
The only problem is that most jobs will
involve some knowledge of French. The best
place for English speaking travellers to
find work is in the tourism industry where
knowledge of English is often more important
than the local lingo. For those that are
self-employed, visas and passports present
no problem. Take the tools for your trade
(such as mobile phone, laptop etc) and don't
tell the immigration authorities that you
are working.
Companies can do the paperwork for you but
may tell you to get a work permit first.
The best way to get employed in France may
be to work for an international company
that has branches in France and get transferred.
LONG-TERM ACCOMODATION
Here are some hints:
- budget enough money to stay in a hostel
for 1-2 weeks if you don't find anything
more permanent sooner.
- add to your budget that you may need bond
money once you find a place.
- check university bulletin boards and newsletters
that may feature cheap student accommodation,
shared housing etc
- see advertisements in local newspapers
- walk the streets and talk to people. Let
it be known what you are looking for.
- some boarding schools offer accommodation
in return or a few hours helping out at
the school either in the dorm or elsewhere.
This may limit your night hours however.
- look into exchanging housing. There are
web sites and agencies that help organise
this. Search our bulletin boards or leaving
your own posting.
- some hostels may discount your lodging
for long term stays or you may be able to
work for your accommodation. Other hostels
refuse stays of longer than several days.
Check our discussion boards and job pages
for listings.
- some cities have cheap workers dorms
- go to the local housing agency
- join a house sitting organisation or check
our bulletin boards for house sitting opportunities.
There are usually requirements to fill,
age is a big one.
Paris American Church - http://www.americanchurchparis.org/
- Tel = 01.40.62.05.00 - Address = 65, quai
d'Orsay, 75007 Paris, M° Alma-Marceau
or Invalides - People should also know that
calling won't necessarily help; they need
to come visit us. The service we offer is
a comprehensive ad board that offers hundreds
of ads from prospective employers and people
with housing to rent.
Working and Living in France: The Ins and
Outs - http://www.parisinsiderguides.com/workinfrance/
- Adjusting to France - The Three-Month
Dip - Learning the Lingo - Residency and
Work Permits - Job-Hunting in France - Creating
a Business - Making the Move - Education
- Health Care and Insurance - Money and
Finance - English Speaking Organizations
- Index of Web Sites - About the Author
- See Full Table of Contents
Local Newspapers -
