The 7 most important things to know before studying in Paris, France

Studying abroad can be really daunting, and often people wonder what is next following their studies. Here, we will talk about some important subjects that you should consider before studying in France and what follows after.

By Alexandra Millman

#1 : Language

If you decide to go study in Paris, France, then it is pretty likely that you will learn French. Do you need to be fluent? No, of course not! But depending on the nature of your studies and how you spend your free time, you will be to speed in no time, and this will be incredibly useful if you decide to pursue a full or part time job in France after.

#2 : Your objectives and program

Definitely consider your objectives long-term. A bachelor's or post-graduate degree is great, but what will it help with? Do you want to go back to your home country or stay in France? Depending on your goals, it's wise to consider all programs because this will have implications in your career. For example, companies will recruit from different schools depending on the job and industry type, so it's important to make wise choices.

#3 : Work opportunities

If you decide to pursue a Master's in France, there are a lot of great companies and career options to carry out your work-study/internship. Although the French language is a big part of school and work, there is a huge range of industry and sector options, all the better!

#4 : School is the key

Whether you decide to pursue a bachelor's or master's here, keep in mind that most students pursue a master's degree which is the basic minimum, unless they are undergoing a very specific career path or something more technical. This is considered a "bac+5" in France.

#5 : Administration processes

France is infamous for its endless mountains of paperwork and administration. However, don't be discouraged. Yes, there is a lot of paperwork, but if you manage to keep track of all documents (USB-drives, anyone?) and have a solid paper-trail, this will help immensely.

#6 : Networking & contacts

Don't hesitate to take advantage and meet other professionals and students. Networking with others is an important step to getting your foot in the door and it shows that you are proactive and curious. Don't be afraid to attend events, make new contacts and connect on LinkedIn. Paris has a huge network and many people are very active!

#7 : Education traditions

If you decide to study in France without doing an internship or work-study, that's great too! Just be aware that most students have gone the traditional path and completed these types of programs en route to a career, but that doesn't mean that your studies don't hold any value. Although this can be discouraging if you decide to pursue a career in Paris, you can still leverage your experiences and your interests. Just bear in mind that you have to go a bit farther if you decide to pursue a job down the road.

I hope these are helpful! These are all things that I would have considered more if I had known more about France, and particularly what follows after studying.