  French language and work experience programme
No payment is made to the student so this programme should not be confused with a student job. However, a place on the French in Normandy/HNI work experience programme will offer real opportunities and responsibilities in a company environment.
NB: If accepted on this programme the student will be given all possible help and assistance to find a remunerated place in parallel with that of their programme placement in order to contribute to living expenses while in France. French in Normandy/HNI will provide each student with a maximum of 2 interviews for remunerated places but the final choice will be left to the potential employer.
Applicant requirements
Language Level
A good basic level of French language knowledge is preferred but we will accept beginners, although their work placement choice may be limited if they fail to make sufficient progress in the first part of the course. Clearly students with a low level of French language skills will need to complete a longer period of pre-course language training.
Minimum age
20
Educational qualifications
Current tertiary studies (and preferably work experience) in the nominated field of placement. Applicants MUST ensure that the placement request is fully supported by experience and relevant study background.
Types of placements
Participants may choose from the following areas for their work placement :
 Sales, Marketing and Client Relations
Secretarial and Office
Information and Document Management
Human Resources Management
Tourism
Retail Outlets
Hotel and Restaurant Management
Starting Dates
April and September
Maximum number of places available per session
18
Course Structure
The programme is organised as follows:
A minimum of a one-month language course (depending on level) for all students in a group of 8 participants maximum.
Then the student will transfer to the place of work experience for 15 hours per week. Work placements are for a minimum of one month and a maximum of 3 months.
During this time the student will have fortnightly sessions with their Course Tutor. One day per week will be dedicated to developing professional and technical language and management skills and one day for general language skills.
Total 30 hours per week.
Participants must understand that while every effort is made to ensure that they have challenging projects to accomplish they may also be expected to perform routine and sometimes menial tasks and at no time will they be in positions of authority or responsibility, nor can placements be made in the medical or nursing field.
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Accommodation
Host Families
Students may choose to stay with host families. The price includes half-board (breakfast and evening meal) during the week and full-board at the weekend.
Self-Catering Student Residences or Furnished Flats
We have a good selection of other types of accommodation. Please ask us for further details.
Work Placement Duration
There is a minimum period of four weeks for all work experience placements. The maximum duration for a work experience placement is three months unless a special arrangement is made.
Visas
Participants should apply to the French Embassy for a Working Holiday Visa if their country has an arrangement with the French government . This visa allows the participant to work in paid employment should the opportunity arise.
An alternate visa is that of Student Visa, which requires that the host firm compiles a very detailed account of what the participant will be doing. This visa can take up to 8 weeks to issue, this may be the only option available if France and the participant’s home country do not have a reciprocal arrangement.
Insurance
All participants must provide French in Normandy/HNI with a copy of their insurance policy in English or French, prior to their arrival in France. The policy must cover accident and injury in the workplace and consequent medical treatment. A covering letter must accompany the policy clearly stating that the applicant is covered in the ‘work place’.
Alternatively, French in Normandy/HNI can arrange a work placement insurance through a French insurance company and add the cost of the insurance onto the programme fee.
Applications Procedure
There is a minimum application period of 3 months from the application being received in France to the intended arrival date. This is necessary to ensure that a suitable position is found and accepted by the applicant prior to his/her departure for France.
Please note that before leaving their home country, applicants receive information regarding the host company and host family (if required).
Applicants are required to sign a formal agreement with French in Normandy/HNI before arriving in France.
Cancellation Fee
Once placement has been confirmed, applicants are given 10 days to accept the position offered to them. If during this period an applicant withdraws from the program, no cancellation fee will be charged. If an applicant withdraws from the work experience programme after the 10 days of acceptance period, no refund will be made.
The price includes
airport meeting and transfer upon arrival,
placement with a host family if required
placement with a host firm and tutor
support of a French in Normandy/HNI coordinator throughout the stay
a one-month group language course and language component during work placement
pedagogic material
end-of-course examination BULATS (Business Language Testing Service)
The cost of organising the work experience placement covers only one such operation. If the candidate wishes to move companies or modify his/her work experience after arriving in France, an additional fee of 100 € is applied for each subsequent variation.
Similarly, if the participant is dissatisfied with the host family and requests another placement, an extra charge 50 € is applied.
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