Housing

Bordeaux

Students in Bordeaux live with a host family. Students are not permitted to live alone, and no one is permitted to share housing with other English-speakers.

Students heading to Bordeaux will submit a housing questionnaire to the School in France site coordinator in March/April for fall and year students, and in September/October for spring students. This questionnaire provides the School in France staff with valuable information concerning each student’s background, expectations, and special needs, if any. This housing questionnaire is binding and students should not expect to change their housing preference after arrival.

Once students indicate their housing preferences, the School in France staff will review their responses, communicate with them if additional information is needed, and send them by e-mail their assigned housing, which will include a short description. Upon receipt of her/his housing assignment, the student shall send a confirmation letter and a deposit check to the hosts.

Paris

We work with an agency that places students with host families in the greater Paris metro area and we have agreements with 6 student residence halls, or foyers. Please note that only 5-7 spots are available in foyers each semester.  

For those who choose to live with a French family, there are multiple options available for the number of shared dinners each week. 

It is important to note that students living with a family in Paris will be asked to pay for their housing for the entirety of the semester up front. Students who receive financial aid from their home institution to help cover the cost of housing may ask to pay only the deposit initially and wait for their aid to be disbursed before paying the full lodging amount.

Housing Placements

Students complete an online housing questionnaire a few months prior to departure which provides the staff in Paris with valuable information concerning each student’s background and expectations. Based on students’ responses, the Student Life Coordinator or the housing agency tries to match each student with a foyer or family, respectively, taking into account their expectations, needs, and preferences. Students matched with a host family will receive a description and contact information. Students placed in a foyer will receive information for the mandatory application process from the Student Life Coordinator.  

Students selecting a host family are encouraged to be open-minded about the location. There are many wonderful areas of Paris and it would be unfortunate to limit oneself to the “most central” arrondissements in the city. Paris is relatively small compared to other European capitals and is very well connected by public transit. The most important aspect of the homestay is a connection with a family that enhances the student’s cultural experience.

Poitiers

In Poitiers, students live in student residence halls in the historic downtown area, near older university buildings, a 15-minute bus ride from the main campus. Upon acceptance to the program, students will submit a housing questionnaire to indicate their preferences. If a student wishes to stay with a host family, program staff will try to find one, but cannot guarantee this possibility. Students are not permitted to live alone or with other English-speakers. 

There are several different student residences to choose from. Visit the CROUS Poitiers website to learn more about them.