Study Abroad in Paris (Catholic University of Paris, ILCF): Housing & Meals

Paying guest in a Parisian home

Students have a double or single room in an apartment where their hosts provide breakfast. Students have a key and can come and go as they wish. There is privacy for study, yet a certain amount of contact with the Parisian hosts. Students are likely to be housed with a single woman or professional couple. Students are seldom housed with families with young children.

In many homes, students have the use of only the bedroom, bathroom and limited use of the kitchen. Parisian hosts do not usually allow free use of the entire apartment. It is important to understand the differences between American hospitality to foreign students and renting a room from a host in Paris. Students should not assume they will be included in the daily life of their Parisian hosts.

The fee is based on a twin-bedded room shared with another AIFS student. Students who want a single room must pay an advance supplement of $800 per semester.

All homestay students who have their own laptop computers may have access to internet in their bedrooms. The installation of internet is now required from host families to facilitate primarily research for classes, communication between students and their relatives and friends back home, as well as communication between AIFS Paris staff members and students.

AIFS always arranges the best accommodation available for students. Changes in housing will be considered only in the event of health and safety issues.

Students staying for the semester are allowed to remain in their homestay during the Christmas and/or spring vacations. However, most students take advantage of these breaks to travel.

Meals

Students on the AIFS Paris programs can enjoy French cooking throughout the semester. Homestay students receive daily breakfast in their homes, and all students participate in several special meals included in the program fee, including welcome and farewell dinners. AIFS staff also arrange several cuisine events, including a Tea & Cakes session and a Wine & Cheese session, as well as a themed dinner such as crêpes or fondue. In addition, students receive vouchers for two snack lunches (sandwich and drink) per week at bakeries and small restaurants throughout the city, as well as two vouchers for three-course meals during the semester.

AIFS restaurant vouchers

Although only breakfast is included in the fee, students can pay a supplement for restaurant vouchers which can be exchanged at selected restaurants throughout France. Advanced French program students receive 56 vouchers and English program students receive 48 vouchers (four per week). The cost of approximately $1000 for the Advanced French semester, which ends in January, or $860 for the Program in English is payable to AIFS prior to departure.  Since the exchange rate varies, AIFS will determine the price of meal vouchers in dollars just prior to the start of the semester.

If students do not use all four vouchers in any one week, they may use them in subsequent weeks. Many restaurants in the city accept these vouchers. If students spend more than the value of the voucher, they must pay the difference. If they purchase less than the total value of the voucher, they do not get change.

Students sign up and pay for the meal plan once they have been accepted onto the program. The meal plan is non-refundable.

Meal vouchers are not included for vacation periods or during the last week of the semester since students may leave early once they finish final exams.

Students should consider budgeting extra funds for meals to gain flexibility. It costs about 8 euros for a sandwich and coffee and 25 euros and up for a three course meal.

Cafeteria meal tickets

Students on a tight budget might want to purchase University cafeteria tickets instead of restaurant vouchers. The price is approximately 8 euros per meal. Students selecting this option purchase these tickets directly at the cafeterias.

Dinner with families

Some of the Parisian hosts who provide housing for AIFS students agree to offer four dinners a month for a supplementary fee. This is a good opportunity for students to have more contact with their Parisian hosts and to practice their French. Students who would like to take advantage of this option pay the supplementary fee for the entire 3-month stay ($260 for 12 meals) or 4-month stay ($340 for 16 meals) to the AIFS College Division prior to their departure from the U.S.