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Why Study in Paris?

Paris! The City of Lights! The Capital of Fashion! is home to some of the world’s greatest thinkers, scholars, poets, musicians, and artists!

Most people dream of visiting this beautiful capital, and international students desire to live and study in Paris, as it is one of the best places in Europe to study abroad.

There are a plethora of benefits of studying abroad in Paris. Not only will you be able to throw off the “ordinary” of your daily routine for a while, but you will also be able to see what real life is like for millions of people thousands of miles away.

About Paris

Paris is France’s capital city. France’s historical, political, and economic capital, with just 2.5 million people, is located in northern France.

The city is home to architectural landmarks such as Notre Dame, the Eiffel Tower (320m), the Bastille, the Louvre, and many others.

Haussmann redesigned much of the city in the nineteenth century.

Geography of Paris

The river Seine splits the region into the Rive Gauche on the river’s south side and the Rive Droite on the river’s north bank.

The river is also quite busy, with merchant barges carrying freight in and out.

Paris is centred in the affluent agricultural area known as the Paris Basin, and it is one of the eight départements of the federal region of Île-de-France.

It is by far the country’s most important commercial and cultural centre.

For decades, Paris has become one of the most influential and appealing cities in the world.

It is admired for the possibilities it provides for business and trade, study, music, and entertainment; its gastronomy, haute couture, painting, literature, and academic environment are particularly well-known. Paris’s location at a crossroads of both water and land routes important not only to France but also to Europe has had an ongoing impact on its development.

If you study abroad in Paris, you will discover that it has a metropolitan personality combined with a charming and well-loved neighbourhood ambience.

Students studying abroad in Paris can comfortably explore and become acquainted with the many facets of the great city.

Finally, Paris has the vibrancy, variety, and complexities of a big city yet also feeling like a comfortable smaller one.

Climate

Paris benefits from the balmy influence of the Gulf Stream and has a somewhat temperate atmosphere because of its location on the western side of Europe and in a plain comparatively close to the sea,

However, the weather can be fickle, particularly in the winter and spring, when the wind can be bitterly cold.

The annual average temperature is in the lower 50s Fahrenheit (roughly 12 °C); the July average is in the upper 60s Fahrenheit (about 19 °C), and the January average is in the upper 30s Fahrenheit (about three °C).

Every year, the temperature stays below zero for about a month, and snow falls on about half of those days. The city has taken steps to reduce air pollution, and a water purification scheme has made tap water healthier to drink.

Culture

For decades, Paris has been known as the Western world’s artistic centre, a magnet for writers and thinkers, and a place where new ideas emerge and art reigns supreme.

This was particularly true in the early twentieth century when the city attracted a slew of foreign authors and artists, including Ernest Hemingway from the United States, Amedeo Modigliani from Italy, Pablo Picasso from Spain, and James Joyce from Ireland. When you study abroad in Paris, you can immerse yourself in the city’s rich culture and discover for yourself why it is so famous.

Language

The official language of France is French, which is still the most widely spoken language in Paris.

Along with French, many languages are legally recognized in Paris, including Alsatian, Catalan, Corsican, Breton, Gallo, and others. These dialects and some other languages are spoken throughout the region, but French is the most widely encountered language.

Furthermore, even though France has a significant tourist and ex-pat population, most encounters on the sidewalks, shops, restaurants, and the city will be in French.

However, in more touristy areas, businesses (mainly restaurants) cater to tourists, and, as a result, many of their menu items and services are translated into English.

Paris study abroad programs usually provide curricula in either French or English, depending on the needs of the students.

Many services have French language teaching and immersion as alternatives. Students can learn and practice the language as part of their programs or live in the country and communicate with Francophones.

Why study in Paris?

The air in Paris is dense with possibility. Students who live and work in Paris take advantage of the city’s opportunities by attending top educational institutions and staying in some of the city’s hip and trendy communities.

Students who study abroad in Paris profit from the city’s multitude of cultural hotspots, landmarks, and happenings.

Many students also enrol in specialized language programs and high-quality internships in some of Paris’ most powerful industries.

Finally, study abroad programs in Paris offer students a vastly excellent opportunity academically, financially, and professionally.

Here are some of the compelling reasons why you should consider Paris as your study destination.

1. More affordable than you think

Paris is a costly city to live in, and most study abroad programs show this reality; however, students with limited financial resources can still study in this incredible city.

The majority of programs offer tuition, lodging, benefits, cultural events, and various excursions (which vary by location) in their program costs, so your money can go a long way.

If an entire school year in Paris is out of the budget, several studies abroad packages deliver semester, summer, winter, and even month-long sessions.

Furthermore, these businesses provide their participant’s grants and financial preparation programs.

2. Study Any Subject You Can Think Of

No matter what you’re studying in college, whether it’s art history, education, or economics, you’ll be able to find programs in Paris that fit your interests and meet academic requirements.

You can spend a summer researching modern music and composition or a semester studying foreign business.

If you want something more extensive, various organizations offer advanced programs in French culture, with courses ranging from French cinema to immigration problems.

If you’re an undergraduate or graduate student, you should have no trouble selecting programs that suit your schedule.

3. Renowned Universities

You can enrol in courses at colleges that your parents might have heard about. After all, studying in Paris entails attending world-renowned educational institutions!

There’s the University of Paris, Paris-Sorbonne University, École Normale Superieure Paris (ENS Paris), and École Polytechnique (ParisTech), to name a few.

Consider how impressive your resume would be if you study abroad in Paris at a respectable, cosmopolitan institution such as one of these!

Take advantage of all the programs you have to bring when studying at universities in Paris, from student clubs to internships to guest lectures and day trips.

Students are often taken on program excursions to areas like Versailles, Giverny, and Fontainebleau.

Outings to art galleries, museums, or opera are popular weekly events.

Learn to Speak French

Because of globalization, speaking many languages is an important skill and a significant advantage in almost all professions.

As one of the world’s most commonly used languages (not to mention an official language of foreign diplomacy), knowing French is a huge advantage in various fields.

Immersion in a language is the only way to understand it, and a French-language study abroad program is the best way to do just that. It’s also a good idea to try some French cuisine!

Many study abroad programs in Paris require prior knowledge of French, but almost all programs offer courses at all levels to help students develop their French.

Summer comprehensive French language and culture classes will be offered by several organizations for beginners, intermediates, and experienced speakers.

Enlightened by the City of Light

Many people admire Paris for its beautiful art, architecture, fashion, wine, and entertainment.

Window shop in the Avenue des Champs-Élysées at the high-end designer boutiques.

Corner patisseries sell freshly made bread and pastries, and street-side cafés serve crème Brulee and coffee.

It’s not like you’re used to it, and this unfamiliarity provides fertile ground for development and transition.

We learn more about ourselves, our aspirations, and what we want to do through the whole process of studying in Paris—from every missed train, to every croissant, to every flirtatious smile with a local, to every meaningful encounter with a Parisian.

Travel has an exciting way of clarifying our course, transforming us into a more evolved, concentrated version of ourselves.

Your favourite memento from

Museums, Historic Sites, and Monuments

Paris is home to some of Europe’s most significant and well-known museums!

As an international student, visiting museums, landmarks, and monuments in Paris enhance research.

Visit the Louvre, the National Museum of the Renaissance, the Carnavalet Museum, the Place de la Concorde, the Centre Georges Pompidou, Notre Dame de Paris, the Arc de Triomphe, the Champs Elysees, and Montmartre, among many other historical places.

Paris is Paris

Another reason to study abroad in Paris is simple: Paris is Paris.

Paris has excellent research and development potential; most young people are talented entrepreneurs and innovators. Paris is the #1 student city, according to QS Best Student Cities, 2014 data), the cuisine is world-class, the entertainment scene is truly a description of entertainment, the architecture and art are invaluable, and the city itself is magnificent.

Studying in Paris

Higher education in Paris is highly competitive, with top academic qualifications, generous funding, limited class sizes, rigorous training, and globally recognized faculties.

There is a growing number of English-taught degrees in Paris, with about 400 English-taught degrees available at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.

In Paris, you can find an extensive variety of degree forms and subjects, ranging from double degree Bachelor’s programs and technical qualifications to Erasmus Mundus Master’s programs, MBAs, and PhD studies, as well as many other non-degree programs.

Many universities offer French language courses for academic purposes, targeted at foreign and exchange students who want to obtain a French-taught degree but do not have the requisite language standard available by schools or colleges.

Paris’ universities are high in various topics, including international commerce, economics and administration, engineering science, biology, chemistry, physics, computer science, mechanics and environmental science, mathematics, pharmacy, dentistry, design, art, and humanities and the social sciences.

The widely regarded Parisian universities and their specialized academic programs created some of the world’s most prominent thinkers, physicists, mathematicians, business leaders, politicians, and philosophers.

Career

According to statistics, a wide variety of employers around the continent are interested in hiring Parisian graduates.

Many Parisian universities provide information about available placements and have internship agreements with major employers in the city, representing various industries and economic sectors.

Global language teaching, translations, telemarketing, telesurveys, app or videogame research, and other student part-time jobs are among the most popular.

Mars, Pepsico, Microsoft, UNESCO, OECD, and ICC, McDonald’s, Procter & Gamble, General Mills, Leroy Merlin, EY, BNP Paribas, HSBC, Societe Generale, and Schneider Electric are among the businesses and organizations that recruit a considerable number of foreign workers in Paris.

Student life in Paris

Every year, tens of thousands of students from all over France and the world flock to Paris.

When you study in Paris, you can meet up with classmates at cafes, discover art-house cinemas tucked into alleyways, and go to a concert with friends on the weekends.

Paris has more tourist attractions than you can throw a stick at, but it also has stunning libraries, eccentric ancient sites, and multicultural communities that transport you to West Africa.

There’s a lot more to studying abroad in Paris than ever seeing the Eiffel Tower.

Living in Paris

Accommodation

Finding a place to live is a crucial step toward effectively integrating into Parisian culture. It is a move that should be prepared ahead of time before you arrive in France.

Finding accommodation in Paris, as in any capital city, can be difficult. It is crucial to begin your quest in December of the year before you arrive in Paris.

It will encourage you to become acquainted with the criteria and qualifications for entry to student dorms.

In a university residence

A monthly amount of at least 450 to 500 Euros is needed (price varies depending on the type of accommodation)

As a private tenant, Monthly rent ranges from 600 and 900 Euros.

If you want to rent an apartment, keep in mind that you will be required to pay a deposit equal to two months’ rent.

Food

You should set aside €200 to €250 every month for food.

Due to the pandemic, the student meal price for the academic year 2021 is €1.00 per meal.

This amount is subject to adjustment depending on changes in the health situation.

  • Restaurants: the cheapest meals cost between €12 and €15 per person (in France, service is always included in the price)
  • A coffee (espresso) costs at least €2.
  • A drink costs about €4.
  • A loaf of bread (baguette) costs about €1.

Public transportation

The monthly cost of a Paris transport card (which includes all areas) is €75.20.

Paris student visa

Registering with CampusFrance is the simplest way to secure a Paris student visa. It is the French national department in charge of higher education as well as international students.

Once you have applied for a university course in Paris, you will be eligible to apply for a visa from the French embassy or consulate in your home country.

Visa requirements

Visa requirements usually include the following:

  • an official letter of enrolment or admission from your higher education institution stating the start and end dates of your course
  • Evidence that you have enough money to finance yourself, such as a bank account or guarantor’s letter
  • an airline ticket or proof of your intention to leave France when your course concludes medical insurance with a minimum cover of 30,000 €
  • Proof that you have accommodation (the rental contract for your Paris Attitude apartment)

When you arrive in France for the first time to begin your course, you must contact the French Office of Immigration and Integration (OFII) and submit or show them the form given by the French consulate in your home country.

You may be asked to get a tax stamp, which you can buy from any Tabac or tobacconist, and you will be subjected to a medical check.

Work while studying

Having a part-time job while studying in Paris supports your savings and gives you a better understanding of the local culture.

You’ll be relieved to learn that if you have a student visa or a valid residence permit, you will serve for up to 964 hours per year.

That equates to about 60% of full-time jobs.

Though the process of obtaining a Paris student visa can seem time-consuming and even intimidating at first, it is simple once you get started.

Once you’ve obtained your visa, you can relax and enjoy your time in Paris, knowing that you’ll be able to stay for the duration of your course.

How to study in Paris?

Before you begin the application process, you must focus on the degree you want to pursue in Paris and the universities you want to attend.

If you are not from the EU/EEA, you may need to apply for the desired program using an online application method known as the “research in France” protocol. Before you can study in France, you must also obtain a student visa.

You should apply for this after you’ve been accepted into your program.

Scholarships to Study in Paris

Université Paris-Saclay International Master’s Scholarships 

Université Paris-Saclay offers 160 master’s scholarships to international students enrolled in its programs. Each scholarship is worth 10,000 euros per year and a maximum of 1,000 euros for travel and VISA expenses is also awarded to successful candidates.

Apply Now

Eiffel Excellence Scholarships

The Eiffel scholarship program was developed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as a tool to allow French higher education institutions to attract the best foreign students for masters and PhD degree programs. Eiffel scholarship-holders on Master’s courses receives an allowance of €1,181 and scholarship-holders on PhD courses receive an allowance of €1,400. 

Apply Now

Grenoble Institute of Technology Foundation Scholarships

The Grenoble Institute of Technology Foundation supports a scholarship program for international students who wish to pursue an international master program at Grenoble INP. The grant amounts to 5,000 euros per semester.

Apply Now

Amit Kumar

FreeEducator.com blog is managed by Amit Kumar. He and his team come from the Oxford, Stanford and Harvard. At FreeEducator, we strive to create the best admission platform so that international students can go to the best universities - regardless of financial circumstances. By applying with us, international students get unlimited support and unbiased advice to secure the best college offers overseas.

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