Naomi studied in France

‘I studied in Paris before going to university because I decided that I wanted to learn a new language and a friend had told me about the course in Paris. I wanted to improve my language skills and move out of my comfort zone – this was definitely the way to do it.

‘Without studying in Paris I don’t think that I would have got onto my uni course - so it really helped as I think universities saw that I was passionate about linguistics, so much so that I studied another language.

‘Each term you moved up a level on the course. I started at intermediate as I had done GCSE French and was advanced by the time that I left. I think that it will help my employability when I finish my studies as employers see that you can do things at an adult level and are excited by the subject.'

How did you find it?

‘I was excited about the prospect of throwing myself into everything and I tended to do a lot of the research and discovery of Paris independently. This was my first time away from home and studying away from home so it was a really good way to get stuck in and to prepare me for university when I got home.

‘A lot of the other students at the university studied there as part of their university degree, so there were foreign students from all over the world. I found it easy to meet lots of people and was excited about the prospect of studying with a diverse range of students.

‘But I wouldn’t recommend it to everyone, it was an incredibly difficult course and living in Paris is hard. It is valuable to make friends with locals so that you experience the place properly, however it was difficult to meet Parisians outside of the university.'

Any tips for finding accommodation?

‘I didn’t look for accommodation before I left – instead I went to Paris and spent a week looking for somewhere to live: on the internet, in person and through newspapers. On a Thursday morning a paper is released at 6am. You have to be there at 6am and ring the advertisers immediately, this is how I found my accommodation.

‘I also attended an event where you wear a badge saying offering or looking and people who were looking for flatmates would go. I went to try and find somewhere – it was hard as I didn’t know any French and everyone was French. This type of event is popular in Paris and happens a lot.

‘All students of any nationality are allowed to apply for housing benefit in France. This is called CAS and is really helpful as it covers most of the costs.’