Living in France
Download Student Handbook
1) FORMALITIES
Before coming to France: Student Visa
Foreign students staying in France more than three months must have a Student Visa delivered by the French representatives in their home country (Embassy, Consulate).
Only the residents of the following countries do not need a visa:
- Countries part of the European-Union,
- Countries that have subscribed to an agreement within the European economic area: Finland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Sweden as well as the following states: Andorra, Monaco, Saint Marin, Saint Siège, Switzerland.
The admission transcript can enable students to obtain a Student Visa (ask the French services in your country for more information).
Without a Student Visa, students will be allowed to stay on the French territory only for the period covered by the consular visa.
Please remember that you as an individual, you are responsible for complying with French laws regarding residence.
After your arrival: “Demande d’attestation OFII"
The Student Visa is a stamp in your passport. As the Consulate in your home country delivers your Student Visa, you will be given a form called “Demande d’attestation OFII” that you will need to bring to Emmanuelle Ansaldi at the ISC Paris International Department, fully completed. This is one of your first priorities after arrival. Besides being a legal requirement, it is essential to give you access to benefits such as housing assistance.
Compulsory Medical Visit
You will be invited to a compulsory medical visit where you will need to bring the following documents:
- Passport
- ID photo (head uncovered)
- Proof of address in France: rent receipt (“quittance de loyer”), gas, electricity, water or land-line bill (“facture”), letter from someone letting you stay at his/her place (“attestation d’hébergement”).
- 55 euros
During the medical visit, another stamp will be given to you in your passport to finalise the Student Visa procedure.
2) ACCOMMODATION
You should be aware that accommodation in Paris is quite expensive, and the Parisian area has a excellent none-expensive transportation network, so don’t forget to look for accommodation in towns close to ISC such as Levallois-Perret, Asnières and Courbevoie.
The ISC International Department provides help to international students regarding accommodation. Our experience in that field has led us to having a real-estate network, with ads for shared and individual rentals.
If you need assistance, fill in the “Housing Form for Assistance”
Your contact at ISC Paris is Ms Emmanuelle Ansaldi eansaldi@groupeisc.com
Low Budget Accommodation
« La Cité Internationale Universitaire de Paris »: (CIUP)
The CIUP is a true campus in the heart of Paris. Each year, it houses over 5,000 students from 126 countries in 37 “Maisons” (homes). Your country of origin is certainly represented. Information about admission procedures, activities and services can be found on each Maison’s website. The complete list of websites can be found at www.ciup.fr (see the “foreign students” link). The price of a private room at the CIUP ranges from 199 to 275 € per month.
Note: - These “Maisons” always have long lists of applicants. Refer to each Home’s website for further information.
- You can pre-register on the Internet at the following link:
www.ciup.fr/hebergement/index.php
The “foyers” (hostel)
The “foyers” accommodate young people from 16 to 25 years old. This option has good price value: 450 euros/month for a furnished room and services (half-board is also available). Each “foyer” has special rules and is not open to both sexes. A list of the “foyers” is available on 
www.unme-asso.com Contact the ones you are interested in to reserve.
Private Residences
The “résidences privées” offer a high quality of comfort and services (laundry facilities, Internet access, ect) with a student atmosphere. Due to their popularity you must book well in advance. (eg: in June for September). This is an ideal option for students staying two terms. For most of them you can apply on-line. Closest residences to ISC Paris:
« Les Estudines Paris-Levallois » in Levallois-Perret,
« Les Estudines Victor-Hugo » in Clichy La Garenne,
« Les Estudines Grande Arche » in Courbevoie.
Early application - more than 3 months ahead.
www.residence-services.comadim.fr
2 halls of residence with furnished or non-furnished studios in Levallois Perret: « le Cambridge 1 » and « le Cambridge 2 » (2 minutes from ISC Paris).
Also see : « Les Lauréades de la Défense », « Les Lauréades de la Grande Arche ».
If you live near La Défense (Grande Arche), the Bus 174 goes directly to ISC Paris. Stop at Gare Clichy Levallois (5 minute walk from the school). You can also take the train to Clichy Levallois (5 minute walk from the school) if you change at Gare St-Lazare or at Bécon-les-Bruyères.
Searching Through Ads
A good idea is to publish a small ad in places of interest for international people living in Paris. These can be bulletin-boards at churches or in international magazines. Many owners prefer to consult small ads in order to select people and avoid being contacted by thousands of people each day.
The « Fusac » Magazine:
For the English speaking community in Paris, Fusac is well known for ads offering Housing and is distributed in Irish and English pubs and bookstores. Also see www.fusac.fr You can publish an ad (36€ for a 20 word ad).
See http://paris.fr.craigslist.org/
Also see the following places to read many ads placed by owners and flatmates. You can also post your own.
The American Church in Paris
65, quai d’Orsay
75007 Paris
+33.(0) 1 40 62 05 00
The American Cathedral in Paris
23, avenue Georges V
75008 Paris
+33.(0) 1 47 23 38 71
Searching Through the Web
For shared accommodation
Meetings take place in Paris once a month where people look for flatmates.
Note: Do not hesitate to contact the ISC International Department for advice.
3) ACCOMMODATION - Useful tips
Things to Consider for Private Accommodation
Once you find accommodation, you may have to pay a deposit equivalent to up to two months rent, plus one month rent (always ask for a receipt). You may also have to pay for gas, electricity and telephone services. You should therefore have available around 1,000€ for initial expenses and accommodation.
When you are visiting places to rent, make sure to find out exactly what is covered by the rent (“charges” cover elevator expenses and cleaning in the building hallway and staircase). The Student Housing Service can assist you with finding accommodation and give you advice about leases.
Many international students choose to sublet accommodation because it is easier and sometimes less expensive to find housing this way. In that case, you should be aware that you won’t receive financial housing benefits, except if your owner agrees to sign a housing certificate for you.
Addresses for Temporary Accommodation
If you haven’t found accommodation once you are in France, we can recommend some less expensive addresses. Contact the ISC International Department a.s.a.p. Please check availability of rooms before deciding to move into one. Check the website for youth hostels in Paris and France on www.fuaj.org
“Auberge de Jeunesse Léo Lagrange”
107, rue Martre
92110 CLICHY (Métro: « Mairie de Clichy » on line 13)
Phone: + 33 (0)1 41 27 26 90
Fax: + 33 (0)1 42 70 52 63
Email: 
paris.clichy@fuaj.org
Students also enjoy the HipHopHostels selection on www.hiphophostels.com
Woodstock Hostel :
48, rue Rodier
75009 PARIS
Phone: +33 (0)1 48 78 87 76
Fax: +33 (0)1 48 78 87 76
Young and Happy :
80, rue Mouffetard
75005 PARIS
Phone: +33 (0)1 47 07 47 07
Fax: +33 (0)1 47 07 22 24
Financial Housing Benefit
The following only concerns students who study in France for a full academic year.
Any person living in France may apply (whatever his/her nationality or family situation) for a Financial Housing Benefit (“A.P.L.”= Allocation Pour le Logement). It will be determined according to the financial resources of the people living in the accommodation, their age and the price of rent.
Where to apply
Apply on-line to the Caisse d’Allocations Familiales (C.A.F.) on: www.caf.fr
Fill-in the student file, print it, join the documents required* and send it to the given address. This application is dependant of the CAF (Social Service Office) where the accommodation is located (district or town).
*Documents required :
- RIB (Relevé d’Identité Bancaire) delivered by your French Bank
- Copy of your stamped visa or European ID card
Waiting time :
An answer takes 3 to 6 weeks after application.
You can’t apply for this if:
- You don’t have a stamped visa and need one
- You sub-rent a place (except if the landlord accepts to give you a housing certificate: “Certificat d’hébergement”)
- You don’t have a French bank account
4) HEALTH
Health Insurance
International Students must be insured during their stay in France. Contact the French Embassy or Consulate in your home country about the French « Sécurité Sociale ».
The French health-care system is one of the best in the world. The level of care in French hospitals is of very high quality, and a universal insurance system makes health care available to everyone, even to students from abroad if they come to France for a full academic year.
All hospitals have an emergency room that is open 24/7. Physicians and pharmacies can be on call nights and weekends.
The renowned French system of health insurance reimburses a portion of participants' medical expenses (if they are under 28) in return for a mandatory annual contribution of 192 euros a year.
Student group health plans are available to cover all or part of that portion of your medical bills that is not covered by the basic national system. Premiums for such supplemental coverage start at 110 euros per year.
Choose one of the two French Sécurité Sociale Student Insurances:
To Consult a Doctor
The French social health system enables you to be covered for health problems without being ruined. Don’t hesitate nor wait for complications to consult a doctor or specialist.
We strongly recommend you avoid delaying consultations and treatment. If you do, it will be to the detriment and risk of your health. The old saying is appropriate: prevention is better than cure.
General Practitioners or Specialists :
General practitioners deal with all health problems from strep throats to back aches.
Specialists, as the name indicates, are specialized in a pathology or part of the body: obstetrician for childbirth, ophthalmologist for the eyes, neuropsychiatrist for psychopathologies, etc.
Consultation fees :
General practitioner: 25 €
Specialist: 45 to 70€
Fees are higher if the doctor has to make a house visit, at night, on a Sunday or on a public holidays.
For emergencies :
- SAMU (paramedics): in case of accidents with bodily damage Tel: 15
- Sapeurs-Pompiers (firemen): Tel: 18
- Police or Gendarmerie: Tel: 17
- SOS Médecin (SOS Doctor): available 24h/7
Paris Tel: 01.47.07.77.77
Hauts de Seine Tel: 01.46.03.07.44
- Pharmacy open 24/7 - 84 avenue des Champs Elysées, Paris 17th Tel: 01.45.62.02.41
Where to consult an English speaking doctor or specialist :
Embassies offer short-lists of doctors and specialists.
For English-speaking doctors, see the American Embassy in Paris www.amb-usa.fr
A short-list of general practitioners and specialists in the consular district of Paris and its surroundings is available on: www.amb-usa.fr/consul/GUIDEOAS/doc.pdf
5) BANKS
You will need a French Bank Account
Having a French bank account can ease your daily life. In many cases, you will need to have a French bank account to have access to services, for example to apply for a financial housing benefit, to subscribe to a phone company and to a student transport card.
Your bank identification number is called R.I.B. (Relevé d’Identité Bancaire).
Where to Open an Account
When students from abroad wish to open a bank account, they are asked to provide a long list of documents. To facilitate international students, ISC Paris has negotiated a special partnership with the French bank “LCL – Le Crédit Lyonnais”. One of their branches is a 3 minute walk from ISC Paris. Here, international students can open an account without charge and benefit from a one-year free Visa credit card.
LCL – Le Crédit Lyonnais
48, rue Victor Hugo
92300 Levallois-Perret
01 41 06 54 00
Note: This free credit card is available twelve months, so don’t forget to close your French account when you leave.
Required Documents to Open an Account
1. An Enrolment Certificate from ISC Paris
2. Copy of your passport or ID card
3. Housing contract
6) MORE PRACTICAL INFORMATION
Cost of Living in France
Here's a sample of a monthly budget. You'll notice that half of monthly expenses go towards housing. The figures here are for a private apartment. They should give you a good idea of what it costs to live in France.
Accommodation 600 euros
Food 250 euros
Health Insurance 51 euros
Local Transportation 32 euros
Amusement and Recreation 150 euros
Miscellaneous 100 euros
TOTAL 1,183 euros
French Language Courses
ISC Paris offers French as a Foreign Language courses.
If you are planning to have extra courses, here are some good addresses:
- The « Alliance française », School of French language and civilisation
101, bd Raspail, 75006 Paris, 00 33 1 45 44 38 28 www.alliancefr.org
- The « Cours Municipaux pour Adultes de la Mairie de Paris»
Information on www.paris.fr under the link “education”
Registration happens on September 1st and January 2nd.
See FUSAC for other private language schools.
7) LEISURE FACILITIES
Culture
Paris guides :
“Le Pariscope” and “Officiel des Spectacles” are weekly magazines which list all cultural events happening in Paris and its suburbs. These guides can be bought at news stands. They have listings for cinema, music, nightlife, theatre, art, gastronomy, flee markets, exhibitions. Le Pariscope has a special chapter in English.
Remember that your student card provides reduced fares for museums, cinemas…
There is free access to many different museums every first Sunday of each month (Musée du Louvre, Musée d’Orsay, Musée Picasso, Arc de Triomphe, Musée Rodin…)
Find more information on:
Paris web site: www.paris.fr (cultural events, museums, cinemas…)
Ministry of Education and Culture: www.culture.fr
In English: www.paris-tourist.com; www.paris.org
Sports
Sports at ISC Paris
“Le Bureau Des Sports”, known as “B.D.S.”, will offer you to choose amongst 20 activities (tennis, fitness, body-building…). Join our Volley Ball, Basket Ball, Football or Rugby Team. Choose between our Gulf Cub, the Edhec regatta, the annual ISC ski week and more… Sports facilities are within walking distance from ISC.
Good to know
Different sport events will give you the possibility to combine sports with cultural aspects. Discover Paris riding a bicycle or roller-skating. Different events are organized with the permission of the city and its security units:
Event “Paris Respire"
Every Sunday from 9 am to 5 pm the banks of the Seine River and different places of interest are closed to cars and reserved to pedestrians, bicycles and roller-skates.
Bicycles can be rented.
Event “Rollers & Coquillages"
Every Sunday afternoon, for several hours, the group leads skaters of all levels through the streets of Paris. Each week the route is different. The “Prefecture” provides not only permission to interrupt traffic, but also a full police escort, including policemen on roller-skates (unique in the world) and ambulances. More than 10,000 participants take part.
Event “Paris Roller”, Friday night fever
Every Friday evening (except when it rains), the ride starts at 10 pm and lasts 3 hours.
8) COMMUNICATION
Post Office
Post offices are open weekdays (8 am-7 pm) and on Saturdays (8 am-12 pm). In Paris, the Louvre Post Office (52, rue du Louvre 75001 PARIS – Métro Louvre) is open 24/7.
Mail boxes (“boîtes aux lettres”) are yellow and can be found everywhere in Paris (often close to cafés-tabacs and intersections). They generally have two slots marked: “Paris et Banlieue” (suburbs) and “Province et Etranger” or “Autres Destinations” (everywhere outside Paris and its suburbs).
Good to know
Your local post office can ensure your mail forwarding for 6 months or one year. All you have to do is fill out a form and pay a fee of 18,29 € / 6 months.
Mobile Phone
Mobile phone operators on the French Market:
- S.F.R
- Orange
- Bouygues-Telecom
We would advise you to purchase pre-paid cards for your cell phone.
You can also buy international or national cards in tobacco stores or post offices.
Telephone directory on www.pagesjaunes.fr and www.pagesblanches.fr
9) CKECK-LIST- Documents to bring
- Several black and white ID photographs, format 3.5 x 4.5 cm
- Letter of acceptance from ISC Paris
- Proof of financial resources showing how you plan to finance your studies and living expenses. Alternatively, a certificate (duly translated and certified) of your scholarship award.
- Student card from your home institution
- Original documents that were submitted to the French Consulate or Embassy in your home country. You may be asked to show these at Customs when entering France.
- Medical record and vaccination sheet
- Insurance or health coverage
If you plan to drive while in France, you will need:
- International driver’s license
- International automobile insurance or if you rent a car you will have to have insurance.
