French in France: Work Exchange and Internship Programs: Testimonials

Our students over the years have always spontaneously wanted to recommend the French in France organisation for the quality of the French lessons they were given, the accommodation they were living in, and the relaxed yet motivating atmosphere they met in their working environment.
But most of all, they want to emphasize how important a work experience abroad is and how it will help them find a job back in their country.

French in France: Work Exchange and Internship Programs > utilities > testimonials

Carolina Rosas, Spain, Administrative Assistant in Paris

"Cher Francois, je voudrais vous dire que je suis très contente d’avoir eu cette expérience de travailler avec ACCORD. Merci beaucoup pour m’avoir accepté dans le programme Work Experience. Vraiment merci beaucoup pour tout! Vous m’avez donné une expérience inoubliable à Paris. Je voudrais que ma sœur puisse avoir une expérience comme la mienne. Merci beaucoup!"

Ana Manero, Spain, Administrative Assistant in Paris

"J’aimerais vous remercier pour tout ce que vous avez fait pour moi, pour m’avoir accueilli dans votre programme Work Experience. Franchement, ça a été un séjour formidable. J’espère qu’on se verra à nouveau à l’avenir."

Anna Landin, Sweden, Administrative Assistant in Paris

"I have loved the school, all the teachers and the staff. I hope that I will see you all soon again."

Adina Zettisch, Germany, Administrative Assistant in Paris

"As I just had finished the theoretical part of my training to become a commercial correspondent I was looking forward to participating in a practical work program for two months in France. I already gained experiences in working abroad in Hungary. So I was very interested in what it was like to work in another foreign country. I worked in the head office of the Accord Language School in Paris. First I took a language course. After refreshing my language skills and obtaining a lot of new inspiration and knowledge due to this course I was more confident in speaking French. Besides the daily office work I was therefore responsible for finding new host families and visiting them to make sure that the accommodations met with our approval. It was very exciting for me to conduct this project by myself. I had a lot of friendly colleagues who were always there to help me. This was a real challenge given to me and I found this type of work very enjoyable. Furthermore I created information material and gained a lot of computer knowledge. I enjoyed staying in Paris and working at ACCORD very much. I could recommend to everyone to participate in a work program at ACCORD and to make the same experiences like I did and get to know the language and the people as well as the country as it is only possible while staying for a longer period as a tourist normally does."

Corina Weissbach, Germany, Administrative Assistant in Paris

"I had the chance to participate in a practical work program at Accord Language School in Paris. For 2 months I worked in the administration office with all the other employees who are responsible for accommodation, registration, cultural activities and all the different work functions that are necessary to organise a language school. I first took a French language course which enabled me to improve my language knowledge. Furthermore I gained more confidence to express myself in the foreign language due to the French course, as this was the first time for me to work in a company abroad. My tasks differed from day to day which made my work experience interesting and challenging. One of the tasks was to represent the school at several foreign embassies. For a week I was also responsible to manage the work at the premises of the Junior program. Here I met a lot of young people and the atmosphere was therefore very relaxed and spontaneous. I can recommend this program to everyone who wants to learn a foreign language and also gain work experience abroad."

Jacqueline Verhaaltje, Netherlands, Administrative Assistant in Antibes

"Mon séjour à Antibes était une expérience extraordinaire. J'y ai eu l’occasion de perfectionner mon français, à l'école ainsi qu'au bureau où je travaillais chaque après-midi. En outre, j'ai fait connaissance avec la culture française ainsi qu'avec d’autres cultures du monde entier, avec des étudiants de toutes nationalités. Tout les étudiants profitaient de leur temps dans une région où il fait toujours beau (sans rigoler). L’atmosphère y était donc très tranquillo, comme disent les Espagnols.
Dans le Work Exchange Program, on gagne son logement et ses cours, donc on passe des vacances cheap dans un environnement français! Alors, si l’on a l’occasion d’aller à Antibes, il faut le faire!"

Selin Tossun, Netherlands, Planning Assistant in Antibes

"I found the Centre International d'Antibes on the internet, when I was looking for a language school in France where I could improve my skills in French and get to know the French culture.
I am glad that I found this school, because this way, I can study French at school and practice what I learnt during the lessons at work, where the atmosphere is agreable and motivating. Not only do I speak French all day long, but I also get an invaluable experience from working with French people in a real work environment and position."

jennifer Gilbert, United Kingdom, Work Exchange Program Assistant in Antibes

"I found out about the Work Exchange Program at the CIA from a friend’s ‘Taking a Gap Year’ book. I wanted to come and work in France for some time during my gap year because I am going to study French next year at University. Working here in the office of the school in exchange for accommodation and French lessons has turned out to be the perfect way of doing this as there are loads of others in the same situation as you and it is a really friendly atmosphere. I can’t believe I only have 2 months left here now – the time has gone so fast! ."

Nadine Mulder, Netherlands, Booking Assistant in Antibes

"After two weeks spent at another language school in Nice, I decided to switch to the Centre International d'Antibes because I wasn't satisfied. When I asked the CIA people, they found some space to squeeze me in straight away. There, I immediately made a lot of friends from all over the world. The school is really good: I started as a Beginner and I left with a high level of French and a DELF certificate. The teachers are very nice and stimulating. After two months, I decided to stay for another four and engage in the school's work exchange program. It was a fantastic opportunity for me to learn French and pile up a real international job experience."