Programme details
| Programme length | Start | End | Price | Age on departure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AFS year programme (academic year) | September 2010 | July 2011 | $12,600 + visa | 15 - 18 |
| AFS semester programme (5-6 months) | January 2010 | July 2011 | $10,300 + visa | 15 - 18 |
| AFS Intensive Programme (up to 3 months) | December 2009 | February 2009/10 | $,7000 +visa | 15 - 18 |
Paris may be a pinnacle of the modern world, but France’s relatively flat countryside and well-irrigated rivers and canals makes agriculture one of its chief industries. French farmers and winemakers take as much pride in the quality of their products as Parisian couturiers take in their designs. In both cities and towns, the French are certain that their culture is rivaled by none – after all, it gave the world Gothic architecture, Impressionist painting and music, Existentialist literature and philosophy.
France is full of historic towns and castles, world-class museums, food and wine, climate and beaches. The French are friendly to visitors, if formal and polite. At the same time, confident in their own culture, they can be surprisingly direct, even blunt in expressing their opinions about politics, the arts, food, fashion and what they believe to be proper behaviour.
Family life
The nuclear family is the most important element of French society. The father is the authority figure in the household and treated with great respect. Traditionally, caring for the children and managing the household is the responsibility of the wife, while the husband is more occupied with work outside the home. Children are required to observe the rules of the household, to help with household chores and to participate in their family’s leisure activities.
School life
School in France may be heavier than what you are familiar with at home. The school day is from 8am to 5 or 6pm. There are seven classes daily with five-to fifteen-minute breaks between them and a two-hour break for lunch. Wednesday and Saturday are usually half-day sessions. The school year is divided into seven-week terms separated by two-week holidays in late October, mid-December, mid-February and mid-April. Because schools place a heavy emphasis on academics, few extracurricular activities are offered during the week.
AFS France does not accept vegetarians and high academic levels are necessary, as well as pre-existing French skills.
