mikeymikey

  Thank you very much Panda, I’m going to go off now and have a look at the link. I would be happy to study somewhere else in France, it doesn’t have to be in Paris. Paris is just where I want to eventually end up, so if that means studying somewhere else in the country I don’t mind.   I’ll go read the info now and come back to ya if I have any more questions. Oh, how are you finding French life? Where are you originally from if you don’t mind me asking? Have you found it easy to fit in?   Thanks a lot.   Mikey

Thanks Panda, you’re a life safer.   That cost is a big difference, the price you gave with AF, is the one I was going to book, I thought it was an ok price and didnt think I would get it much cheaper, it seems very expensive compared to your one. Your course also sounds a bit better, with the fact that it can help you get to do the exams to get into the mainstream studies at university. I have not booked my AF course yet, was going to do that later (around August) seeing as I wouldn’t start it until February.   Are you able to give me as much info as possible on the one you did? Also how did you find it? How many terms until you where comfortable speaking it and got to fluent level. The one you did sounds like what I’m looking for and would seem to suit me better, so any more info would be great.   Thanks   Mikey

  Thank you everyone so far with the replies.   In regards to the doing the French at uni, No will be doing French lessons with Alliance Francaise, full time intensive for the first 3 months I move to France and then will continue on learning it, trying to do as much as I can until I get to fluent level.   Once I get to fluent level, I want to study at University in France – not study French, but go to University (just as a French person would), for a 3 year degree in something of my choice (was going to attend university here in either Law, Architecture or Finance, but I think doing that at a French university would probably be very difficult, so not too sure what I will study yet. Having a University degree is not one of the requirements to join the Police Nationale– but I would still like to have it, also as a back up.   I don’t plan to attend French University until about I have lived in France for about 2 or 3 years. I think my first few years living in France will just consist of learning French by every day live, attending courses with Alliance Francaise and if possible, working in a job – no matter how small and trying to fit in.   I have tried learning French here, and was able to pick up bits, but once you leave the class your back to talking English as it’s not a French speaking country so it just makes it much harder, that’s I think living in France will make it easier, and in a way force you to learn the language.   PeterR, You said there are Universities and then there are "grandes écoles". What are "grandes écoles"? are they kind of similar to a Community College? Not a university where you can get a Degree, but more of a Further Education College where you can get Certificates and Diplomas in a course?   Thank you everyone for the info and advice so far.

Moving to France – Some Questions.   Ok, I have been planning for a few years to move to Paris (I’m 22). I find it a lot cheaper than where I live now (Dublin). I am planning on making the move in February 2008. I am going to also do 3 months studying intensive French to help with the language. My eventual goal would be after 5-10 years, be fluent in French, Have French Citizenship, Be living comfortably in Paris, have attended a French University and hold a degree. I know it’s a bit to achieve, especially seeing as I don’t currently speak French, but I think 5 – 10 years is a fair enough time. If I ever got to excellent proficiency in the French Language, once I get French Citizenship, I would love to eventually join the Police Nationale.   That’s my dream.   Now, I have a few questions:   1: How long do you think/ or how long does it normally take to pick up the language fluently, if living there in Paris surrounded by it, while also attending French Classes 8 hours a day, 5 days a week for the first 3 months living there. How long do you think it would take to pick up?   2: How long before the French accept you as “one of them”? I know, it’s 5 years to get citizenship. But what I mean is, once I’m a French Citizen and have my little French Passport, will I be one of them, or is it’s true that I will never be fully accepted as being “local”.   3: I’m looking at living in the Paris Proper (rent is still cheaper than here in Dublin). I will definitely be living there for the first 3 months in Paris, but after that I may consider outside, into the suburbs. Which suburbs would you recommend and which should be avoided at all costs?   4: Work – I am not planning on getting a job there for a good while, only when my money starts to run out – mainly because I think it will probably be impossible to find a job with out having French at the time. But I am considering doing the TEFL before I go, just as a back up to have, has anyone done it and is it worth it?   5: Is it actually possible to get a job with little or know French? Seriously, if I can get a job, I would be happy cleaning toilets for the first few years.   6: has anyone got any extra advice or info that they think I should know?   Sorry for all the questions, and thanks in advance.   Mikey