Seek for pen pals in France. You did not choose this country by chance.
You must have relatives, friends there… Otherwise, favour any
kind of relation, because these persons will be precious help to you
in the different steps which you will have to make before your departure.
They will play the relay to collect the necessary information and
carry out certain formalities in your place.
If you have the possibility of it and financial means, a first travel
to France in France, a little while before the great departure,
is the ideal solution, in particular to meet teachers and defend
a project of studies or research for 2nd or 3rd cycle. During your
stay, gather as much information as possible and carry out as many
steps as possible. unfortunately, it is not always easy to obtain
a visa for such a visit and the price of the journey can be a heavy
burden for your future budget.
Think seriously before undertaking your registration procedures
in 1-st cycle. In France the universities are overwhelmed with applications
and, so, your chances are lower. It is often preferable to come
in 2nd or 3rd cycle having taken time to perfect in French, to mature
and to refine one's training project (let us remind that a change
of orientation or repeated failures are susceptible to entail the
refusal of renewal of a resident permit). You will avoid so the
difficult procedure of preliminary registration as well as the simultaneous
shock of the passage from the secondary school to higher education
and from your country to France.
Do not hesitate to take up the challenge of the provinces. We have
already broached this question, but we shall never insist enough.
Numerous arguments are in favour of such a choice : better housing
conditions, increased chances of admission, facilitated administrative
steps… And if you did not like the charms of the provinces,
you can always come to Paris after one or two years of studies.
Follow the procedures indicated by the different administrations
(documents required, periods of time…). Keep carefully all
the receipts, mails and the other documents which they deliver you
as well as a copy of letters - please, choose rather the recommended
mail with acknowledgement of delivery - which you were led to send
them: nothing better than written evidence in case of problem. Never
send the originals of your diplomas but photocopies and mind your
French language. Do not hesitate get help from a friend or a professor.
When launching your registration procedure, consider one or several
solutions. Indeed, practically all the establishments practise selective
admission and very rarely accept you just because of your diploma.
Then, please, do not hesitate to deposit files in several establishments.
The candidates for the 2nd cycle registration in a university may
be short of time to try a 1st cycle if they are not accepted in
2nd cycle unless they have anticipated it. Indeed, the specific
procedure of preliminary admission for this cycle begins as early
as December of the year preceding your coming.
If you are not from a French-speaking country or if you are not
perfectly bilingual, anticipate and follow at least six months of
French courses, preferably in a French Alliance. Try to integrate
into your training the appropriate for vocabulary to your targeted
subject.
Start to learn about the French civilization. All the means are
good : books, cinema, exhibitions, radio (in particular Radio France
International)… There are certainly in your country, official
or private places where you can go and meet your future host country
: Cultural centres, French institutes, film club, libraries, schools
or French secondary schools… all good opportunities to practise
the language and to immerse yourself into the French culture. Do
not hesitate to contact the cultural service of the French Embassy
to discover these places.
Try to make a budget. In addition to the rent, the school fees,
the meals, you will have from your arrival to face up to a certain
number of expenditure, to arrange out your flat, dress…
Try to have someone to pick you up at the airport. Thus you will
not feel alone and desperate for the first day on the French ground.
For any help or advice before your departure or at your arrival
to Paris, contact EduFrance : 173, boulevard Saint-Germain, 75006
Paris.
Internet : .
Mail :
The documents you must carry
The documents you must carry
A valid passport (for EU students, an ID card is enough) with
a long stay visa and the Student mention (except exemption).
See the second part of the guide to know more about the formalities
of entry in France ;
at least, a legalized and translated birth certificate (certified
by French Official Authority) ;
originals of the documents that were necessary to obtain your
visa at te Consulate : you could have to show them at the customs
and you will need them to ask for a resident permit (especially
the translated and legalized resources documents) ;
originals of your diplomas of secondary and higher education
and their French translation by an Official French Authority,
as well as a translated certificate certifying that the diploma
of end of secondary studies entitle you to follow higher education
in your country ;
a detailed school report for the past two school years (whatever
the level). It is necessary for some registrations such as preparatory
classes, IUT, some university programs… ;
the certificate of preliminary admission delivered by the university
or the school which accepted your registration ;
for post-graduate students, the statement of your studied matters
and the marks obtained in higher education (and for some subjects,
a detailed research project) ;
for BGF grant holders : a letter of introduction from the cultural
services of the French Embassy ;
for EU's students, one of the following forms : E 106, E 109,
E 111, E 128, E 121, or another certificate of membership in
an conventional insurance scheme or of private health insurance
being able to serve as documentary evidence of social coverage
in France. Apply to the health services of your country ;
if you want to drive in France, don't forget your driving licence
(see " Everyday life and Leisure " in the third part
of the guide) ;
and, if necessary, ten passport photos black and white (3,5
X 4,5 cm)… but you may do that in France...
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