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Work in Francophone Countries

Authors: Julia Malette, Abel Mota, and Stacy Gutherz

Overview

The Francophone world is quite diverse. It encompasses not only France, but several countries in Europe, parts of Canada, as well as many areas in Africa. As is true everywhere, you cannot work in a foreign country without a work permit. Provided in this handout are listings of places to contact that will aid you in finding jobs in addition to obtaining work permits.

U-M Resources

AIESEC Paid internships in various areas including business. You do not need to be active with AIESEC to be eligible for these internships. There is a fee.
U-M students of French only:
U-M French Department
734.647.9803		 Summer internships for 3 credits, for undergraduate students of French at U-M. Places students in 6-12 week internship positions in Francophone countries. In 2004-2005, 15 students worked in either France, Belgium, Quebec, or Morocco.
International Association for the Exchange of Students for Technical Experience (IAESTE) Paid Internships for students of engineering and sciences. IAESTE can also assist with work permits if you have a job offer. For juniors, seniors, and graduate students. Apply by early December. IAESTE-UM
U-M Peace Corps Office
U-M International Center
734.647.2182
Peace.Corps@umich.edu 		Francophone countries include: Benin, Burkina-Faso, Cameroon, Côte d'Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Madagascar, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Senegal, Togo, Papua New Guinea, Morocco, St. Lucia, Guyana, and Haiti. Jobs vary according to skill. They include: education, business, environment, agriculture, health and nutrition, and community development.

Study Abroad Internships and Volunteering (Service-Learning)

Some study abroad programs also include internship or volunteer opportunities. This is one of the easiest ways to work in a French-speaking country. The best place to find a list of such programs is in the Institute of International Education (IIE) study abroad books in the U-M International Center, Education Abroad Office. These books are also on the IIE web site, which allows you to search under criteria such “French and internship” to bring up programs meeting both.

When considering a study-internship program, you'll want to ask the program if the internship is an optional add-on -- participation in which is not guaranteed -- or if every participant will given an internship or service-learning placement. Also, find out how much time is dedicated to the internship: a few hours a week, half time (twenty hours per week) or full time?

Some examples of programs offering study-internship programs in France are:

In French-speaking Switzerland, the Geneva programs of Boston University and Kent State University focus on international relations, offering internship placements at United Nations agencies.

In French-speaking Belgium as well as France, a program focused on the European Union is offered by the University of Rochester/EPA

Outside of Europe, there are a number of internship/service-learning programs in francophone Africa, such as the Senegal programs from the following universities:

The School for International Training (SIT) offers programs with field placements (rather than internships) in Cameroon, Madagascar, Mali, Morocco, and Senegal.

Internships in Francophone Europe-Paris (IFE)
Internship placements tailored to individual's background and desires, in government, cultural, and/or political realms, with NGOs or think-tanks, etc. For undergrads or recent graduates. Fall or winter semester. Competitive: 12-15 students enrolled per semester. Financial aid available. Academic credit usually awarded.

Short Term Jobs (up to 6 months)

Communicating for Agriculture Exchange Program 3-12 month work programs in agriculture, horticulture, equine studies and ecology, in 23 countries, including France, Canada and Switzerland. Live with hosts; receive room, board and stipend. Must have one year's experience in field. Fluency in foreign language not required. Costs include insurance, airfare, visa fees. Financial aid available.
Experience International
 U.S. Department of State designated J-1 Exchange Visitor Program. Offers volunteer or work experience in over 25 countries, including France, Canada and Switzerland, in the areas of agriculture, horticulture, forestry, fisheries and natural resource management. Placements are based on applicant's background, experience, career goals, and detailed placement request. Applicants must be 21+, have at least two years of college education and experience in desired field. Most arrangements include wages and/or a stipend, room and board. There is a placement fee. Additional fees vary by country and by year.
International Cooperative Education Program
 Paid internships and work abroad placements. Placements in the summer (2-4 months) in Belgium and Switzerland. Positions in retail, hotel/restaurants, hospitals, banks, au pair. Internships in business and engineering. At least one year college French required; more for advanced positions. Application fee and placement fee. Best to apply before February. NOTE: This program has assignments before and after the placement.
Interexchange Internship position in France for a 2-3 month duration. Work in hotels or restaurants with a monthly stipend or be placed in various companies with a monthly stipend. A 20-hour language course is included with the internship. There is a program fee.

Au pair placement in France is open to men and women. A 10-12 month commitment is required. The program offers a private room, full board, monthly stipend, and a transportation card in exchange for 30 hours of childcare assistance. Apply at least 3 months prior to desired starting date. There is also a fee.
Little Brothers/Friends of the Elderly 5 positions offered for 3-, 6- or 12-month full-time internships as “Intergenerational Activities Assistant” at retirement home at Mont-Evray, France. Provides room, board and monthly stipend. French fluency required.
CEI - Club des 4 vents Up to four-month internships and short-term work in France. Can also include French lessons if needed. Company can provide placement for a fee or you can find your own. Fees vary with services provided. Must be 18 or older; higher education students preferred.

Short-Term Volunteer Projects (“Workcamps” or “Chantiers”)

A long established and popular tradition in Europe, now available around the world. Volunteer projects known as workcamps pay only room and board, but they provide opportunities which are otherwise not available. Literally hundreds are available in nearly all of French-speaking Europe, parts of French-speaking Africa and Canada. Job descriptions vary. Work and live cooperatively with a group of 10-20 other international volunteers.

Workcamps last two to four weeks; most take place in the summer. The best time to apply is in February, when you'll have the greatest choice; by the end of June most places are filled. Student status is not required. You can register for workcamps through several U.S.-based organizations listed below.

International Volunteer Program in France/United Kingdom (IVP)
(Société Française de Bienfaisance Mutuelle International Volunteer Program)		 Six to twelve weeks (summer) work in French non-profit organizations: office, hospital, tourism work or work with children, elderly, disabled. Positions assigned on first-come, first-serve basis. There is a fee that includes room, all meals and airfare. Fees increase depending on the length of stay. Intermediate French skills required. Apply 3 months before desired departure date.
REMPART

Workcamps mainly in France, but also Algeria, Belgium, Morocco, and more. Most involve restoration/construction for awareness of cultural heritage. 12 volunteers per camp, 2-3 weeks in duration. Registration fee good for one year; pay room and board directly to individual camp's assocation (information is in French).
La Sabranenque Volunteer restoration projects in Provence, France (and Italy) for preservation of the rural Mediterranean habitat. Two-week sessions held March-October. French skills not required.
SCI-IVS A worldwide volunteer organization which offers unusual projects, typically with activist themes. Fees are low. Countries available include Belgium, Burkina Faso, France, Switzerland, Canada, North Africa, Togo and Senegal. Volunteers are provided food, housing, and insurance. Transportation is not provided. Most programs in Europe require only beginning French and programs in Africa require fluent French. For U.S. residents only.
Volunteers for Peace (VFP) Over 3000 projects offered in more than 100 countries, including Belgium, Canada, France, Haiti, Morocco, Switzerland, Senegal, Tunisia, and Togo. Fees vary. Over 300 projects offered yearly in France alone. No foreign language proficiency required for most camps.
Operation Crossroads Africa
 Projects offered in Francophone Benin, Mali, Rwanda, and Senegal. Program runs eight weeks with projects in agriculture, community service, education/teaching, women's development, community health/medical outreach. The program fee includes tuition, housing, all meals, international airfare.

Internships

AIESEC United States, Inc. A worldwide organization offering over 6,000 internships per year. Applications must go through a local chapter of AIESEC, not through the national office.
French-American Center Offers the participant a placement as an unpaid intern in a French organization, usually based in the south of France, for 4, 8 or 12 weeks, plus assistance with accommodations in French host family or private residence. Family businesses, insurance agencies, restaurants, youth and social centers, schools, banks, hotels, travel agencies and fitness clinics sponsor internships. Fee does not include housing, pocket money, transportation, food.
French-American Chamber of Commerce (FACC) Organizes internships of 3 months or less for students in partnership with the French Embassy Cultural Services, and the Young Professional Program which provides training opportunities of 3-18 months in partnership with the French agency, l'Office des Migrations Internationales (OMI). The Young Professional Program sets up work with private-sector businesses/conglomerates, NGOs or academics. Applicants must be under 35 and be at least in their third year of undergraduate study. The FACC can obtain visas for work in France. No charge for Student Program; fee for Young Professional Program. Interns are paid at least minimum wage. U.S. citizens only; French fluency required.
French Embassy: French Cultural Services Internships (Stages) Internships available in public institutions, in private French businesses, or in NGOs. Up to 3 months for private sector; 1-9 months for public sector. For undergraduate or graduate students. U.S. citizenship not required; French fluency required. Website includes a list of links to organizations offering internships, and help with applications. (Information is given in French).
International Association for the Exchange of Students for Technical Experience (IAESTE) Paid Internships for students of engineering and sciences. IAESTE can also assist with work permits if you have a job offer. For juniors, seniors, and graduate students. Apply by early December.
U.S. Department of State, Student Intern Program Student Intern Program in U.S. embassies abroad or in Washington, D.C. Objective: to gain firsthand knowledge of American foreign affairs. Interns perform research, report writing, correspondence, information systems, analysis of international issues, and so on. Internships are unpaid, with approximately half in Washington, the other half overseas. Participant must be a continuing student, either junior, senior or graduate student and must be a U.S. citizen. Application deadline for summer: November 1; for fall: March 1; for spring: July 1. Applications and catalogues are available at the U-M International Center or from the U.S. Department of State web site.

Teaching English Abroad

U.S. Student Programs, Institute of International Education (IIE) English Teaching Assistantship opportunities available in France, and Belgium through the Fulbright program. Program descriptions vary according to country, but typically are teaching English in secondary schools. Students must have a Bachelor degree or be a graduating college senior. Future teachers of French preferred. Non U-M and graduate students directly apply to IIE. U-M students applications available at International Institute. Deadline for U-M students is September, or October for at-large applicants.
French Cultural Service SCULE-Assistant Program English Teaching Assistantship at primary, secondary or university level available for France only. Program runs from October 1-April 30 or until June 30 for primary. Working knowledge of French is required, French majors encouraged, future teachers desired. See the web site for further information or applications. Visit the unofficial web site for program participants: www.assistantsinfrance.com.

Long-Term Volunteer Opportunities

Peace Corps
800.424.8580
U-M Peace Corps Office
U-M International Center
734.647.2182
Peace.Corps@umich.edu
Francophone countries include: Benin, Burkina-Faso, Cameroon, Côte d'Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Madagascar, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Senegal, Togo, Papua New Guinea, Morocco, St. Lucia, Guyana, and Haiti. Jobs vary according to skill. They include: education, business, environment, agriculture, health and nutrition, and community development.

Post-Graduate Research and Study Abroad

USIA Fulbright U.S. Student Program

Current U-M students must apply to the U-M International Institute Fulbright Office. 		Full Grants for International research and study. Available for countries worldwide including: Belgium, Burkina Faso, Canada, France, Ghana, Haiti, Ivory Coast, Luxembourg, Morocco, Niger, Senegal, Togo, and Vietnam. Grant generally provides: round-trip transportation, language orientation course, book and research allowance, maintenance for the academic year. Open to B.S./B.A. graduates; master's and doctoral candidates, and young professionals and artists. Opportunities include: university course work; independent library/field research; social projects; arts study or any combination of the above.

Additional Resources

French Embassy: Forum USA Yearly job fair held in April (in Boston, Chicago and San Francisco). French companies seeking engineers, scientists and managers. All nationalities welcome. Web site includes extensive list of links to web sites related to the French job market.
Alliance Francais Provides study grants for French Teachers in Paris as well as a resource for Franco-American opportunities.
ANPE: L'agence national pour l'emploi French employer-employee network. Tens of thousands of job offers published. Assistance and support offered.
France-USA Contacts (FUSAC) Free weekly classified ad magazine printed in Paris and New York. Excellent source for apartment and job hunting, as well as personals, events, used appliances and computers.
Monster.fr Employer-employee network. Over 8,000 job offers listed for France.
National Consortium for Study in Africa Based at Michigan State University. Includes a section on Volunteer, Research and Work Opportunities in Africa.
African Francophone countries (approximate list): Benin, Burkina-Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Gabon, Guinea, Haiti, Ivory Coast, Madagascar, Mali, Niger, Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Senegal, Seychelles, Togo, Tunisia, Vanuatu.
Resume Assistance
(both books available at U-M International Center, Education Abroad Office)
  • Best Resumes and CVs for International Jobs
    by Ronald L. Krannich and Wendy S. Enelow.
  • The Global Resume and CV Guide
    by Mary Anne Thompson.
  • French Culture (Education): “How to Write a French-type Curriculum Vitae”

U.S. Institutions with Study Abroad / Internship Opportunities

A small sampling of study abroad and internship programs sponsored by U.S. institutions. For more information visit the Institute of International Education (IIE)

  • Northern Illinois University: Brussels, Paris
  • Monterey Institute of International: Rouen
  • Beloit University: Rennes
  • Lake Forest College: Paris
  • Boston University: Paris
  • University of Rochester: Brussels or Paris
  • Syracuse University: Strasbourg
  • University of Minnesota: Senegal
  • University of Wisconsin: Morocco
  • Smith College: Geneva or Paris
  • Hobart and William Smith Colleges: Senegal
  • Partnership for Service Learning: France or Vietnam
  • Goshen College: Ivory Coast
  • Kent State: Geneva
  • American University: Brussels or Paris
  • IES: Paris

Suggested Bibliography

General Work Abroad

The Directory of Overseas Summer Jobs
Author: David Woodworth. Includes temporary jobs, paid and volunteer, in countries including Andorra, Belgium, Canada, France, Luxembourg, Morocco, Switzerland. Lists of who to contact, pay rates, how and when to apply. Also provides work permit information for each country.
Work Your Way Around the World
Author: Susan Griffith. Authoritative guide to looking for short-term work while abroad. Extenisve country-by-country naratives and job listings for locations inlcuding Belgium, France, Switzerland, Canada, Morocco. Revised approximately every 18 months to 2 years.

Area or Job Specific

The Directory of Work and Study in Developing Countries
Author: Toby Milner. Comprehensive guide to employment, voluntary work, and academic opportunities in developing countries including francophone Africa and Latin America. Also listed are United Nations organizations located in Switzerland and France with contact information for other United Nations organizations worldwide. Intended primarily for a British audience, it omits some organizations with interest to Americans.
Teaching English Abroad: Talk Your Way Around the World
Author: Susan Griffith. The only guide with extensive worldwide coverage, this outstanding volume gives in-depth information on everythin from preparation to the jobsearch. Many first hand reports from former users. Provides a coutnry-by-country guide for nations including Belgium, France, Switzerland, Andorra, Morocco, Tunisia.

Volunteering Abroad

How to Live Your Dream of Volunteering Overseas
Authors: Joseph Collins, Stefano DeZerega, and Zahara Heckscher. New book provides a comprehensive overview of volunteering abroad, by three American authors with extensive experience. It includes in-depth profiles of over 100 volunteer placement organizations and evaluations to help volunteers assess whether the organization is right for them. Twelve chapters cover topics such as: Is Volunteering Overseas Right for You, Pros and Cons of the Peace Corps, Doing it Without a Program, Overcoming Financial Obstacles, How to be an Effective international Volunteer, and Staying Involved When You Get Back.

Country Specific

Live and Work in... (series): France; Switzerland; Belgium, the Netherlands & Luxembourg
Various authors. Outstanding British series for long-term stays. Information on employment, residence, home buying, daily life, retirement, and starting a business. More useful for those on overseas assignment than for those looking for a job.
Living, Studying, and Working in France: Everything You Need to Know to Fulfill Your Dreams of Living Abroad
Authors: Saskia Reilly and Lorin David Kalisky. The only book on this topic from an American perspective provides useful, very comprehensive advice for anyone wishing to study, work or live in France. Includes nearly 80 pages on working, though paid jobs will be difficult to find unless you have a European Union passport.
How to... Live and Work (series): Belgium; France
Various authors. Comprehensive information for individuals on long-term stays. Includes general area descriptions, as well as customs information and guides on setting up a home overseas. More useful for thsoe on overseas assignment than for those looking for a job.
Working in France
Authors: Carol Pineau & Maureen Kelly. Out of print, but still useful. Especially valuable for information relating to the French job search, including samples and directions for French resumes and cover letters.
French or Foe? Getting the Most out of Visiting, Living and Working in France
Author: Polly Platt. A witty, but true to life descriptions of French lifestyle and culture. Written by an American with extensive life-experience in France. A must for those seeking to understand French culture.

Last reviewed: 10/08