France is one of YFU’s most enduringly popular European destinations for Australian and New Zealand students – and not just because of Paris. French culture is specific, proud, and deeply regional: the France of Brittany is nothing like the France of Provence; the France of Lyon is nothing like the France of Alsace. Wherever your placement, you’ll encounter a way of life that takes food, conversation, philosophy, and beauty seriously.
Learning French in France – not from a textbook but from a family dinner table, a school corridor, and a Saturday morning market – is one of the most sought-after linguistic experiences in the world. YFU France has an established network of volunteer families and a strong track record with students from the Pacific region.
French family life centres on shared meals, intellectual conversation, and a clear distinction between school time and leisure. Sunday lunches are often long and social; dinner is rarely rushed. French families may seem more formal than Australian or NZ families at first – but that formality is a form of respect, and it gives way to genuine warmth as you settle in.
The French school system (lycée) is academically demanding and values analytical thinking, essay writing, and structured debate. Students from Australia and NZ often find the intellectual rigour a stretch – and return home with stronger critical thinking skills as a result.
Most placements are in regional French towns and cities rather than Paris. This is a genuine advantage: regional France offers deeper cultural immersion and faster language development than the capital, where English is everywhere.
The school year in France lasts from the beginning of September to the end of June. Usually there are 10 days of holidays in the Autumn, 2 weeks at Christmas, 2 weeks in Winter and 2 weeks in Spring.
A normal school day in France generally starts at 8:30 am and ends at 5:30 pm. During the day, there is a 1 to 2 hours break for lunch. There are no school uniforms in France. In class, students often have to listen, take a lot of notes and read chapters in text books at home. Your host parents will often want to be involved in catching up on your school life. They’ll also be very happy to help you with your homework.
Friends usually meet on Wednesday afternoons and on Saturdays, not in evenings during the week because schools and families expect all students to work on their school assignments and other homework. In France, school is for serious study not for social activities or events, which is why extracurricular activities are not normally provided by schools. You will need to find social activities and hobbies outside of school which your host family can help you with.
French secondary school students in the lycée (ages 15–18) work toward the Baccalauréat, one of the most academically respected qualifications in the world. The curriculum is structured and demanding, with a strong humanities, sciences, and philosophy component. Exchange students attend classes with their year group and are expected to participate in lessons. French schools run Monday to Saturday (with Wednesday afternoons often free), and the school day is longer than in Australia or NZ.
Most host families in France live in small towns, suburbs or in small communities and can be very different: some have children, some do not, some are single parents. The most important part of daily life in a French family is to spend time together generally during the evening meal at around 7:30pm.
Family members normally eat together and the meal lasts for about an hour. During this time, the family talk and share the happenings of their day. During dinner your host family will often ask you about your school assignments, your results at school and about your different activities as a way of showing you they care.
As you will be a member of the family, you will be expected to respect rules and wishes of your family and tell them about your activities.
A basic level of French is highly recommended and will significantly improve your experience in the first months. YFU provides pre-departure language preparation. No minimum language level is formally required, but students who arrive with some French foundation adjust faster.
Most YFU placements in France are in regional cities and towns rather than Paris. Regional France offers deeper immersion, faster language development, and a more authentic experience of French daily life.
French lycées are academically demanding. The school week often runs Monday to Saturday (with Wednesday afternoons free), and the curriculum emphasises analytical essays, philosophy, and rigorous sciences. Many Australian and NZ exchange students find it challenging – and rewarding.
Expect shared mealtimes, intellectual household conversation, and a more formal initial relationship that warms significantly over time. Sunday lunches are often long and social. French families are proud of their culture and will enjoy sharing it with a curious exchange student.
No. France follows a northern hemisphere school calendar, running September to June with holiday breaks in autumn, winter, and spring. Year programs typically depart Australia in August or September.
Yes. A long-stay student visa is required for programs over 90 days. YFU provides full documentation and application guidance as part of your enrollment.
Enrolment in a public or private school for the first semester and placement in an NGO project for the second semester
Placement in an NGO project (Typically related to childcare, women's care, environmental NGOs)
Our standard all-inclusive program price with no hidden fees.
Host a student and enjoy up to 20% off the program fee, plus receive up to $4000AUD / $4800NZD reimbursement for hosting a student*
Host a student and enjoy up to 20% off the program fee, receive up to $4000AUD / $4800NZD reimbursement for hosting* plus a further $2500 discount when you book your own flights**
*The host a student reimbursement is a payment of $100AUD/$120NZD per week
**When you book your own flights, you will be required to adhere to specific travel dates and arrival times in the destination country. This offer does not include exchange programs to Thailand, Korea, or China.
The first weeks of an exchange student experience in Australia are often filled with excitement, curiosity, and unforgettable firsts. Known as the honeymoon phase of cultural exchange, this is the time when everything feels new—from landscapes and wildlife to food, school, and daily life.
As everybody is speaking about the FIFA World Cup, millions of people around the globe are gathering to cheer for their favourite teams, celebrate different cultures, and experience the excitement that only a global event can create. But while the World Cup lasts only a few weeks, there’s another international experience that can change your life forever: going on a youth exchange.
The Youth Empowerment Seminar is one of YFU’s largest international youth events, bringing together exchange students, volunteers, facilitators and educators from across the globe for an unforgettable week of learning, leadership and intercultural dialogue.
Enquire today about this program. We’ve got experts ready to assist with any enquiry about the countries, programs and the process.
Simply register and attend one of our in-person Information Evenings and you will automatically get $100 off your program fee.
