PRIVATE BOARDING SCHOOL
Live with your friends with your once-in-a-lifetime boarding house exchange
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Stay at school with your friends during the week at a boarding school, then hang out with a host family on weekends and holidays. By signing up to our private boarding school experience, you’ll get a taste of every aspect of life as a French high school student.
We work with a small number of carefully chosen boarding schools across France. This means places are strictly limited and best suited to someone looking for a longer stay.
If you choose our boarding school experience, you don’t have to host a student here in Australia.
HOW IT WORKS
Every student who signs up for an exchange gets a French correspondent: a student of a similar age, who’ll attend the same school and hopefully be your BFF while you’re in France (or, fingers crossed, forever).
It’s our goal to find the perfect French correspondent for you. That’s why when you apply, we try to get to know a little bit about who you are, what you like and the kind of experience you’re hoping to have.
If you choose a private boarding house experience, you’ll live in the boarding house during the
week and attend classes like a regular high school student. Then, on weekends and during
holidays, you’ll live with your host family.
While you’re there, you’ll improve your language skills, experience another culture first-hand,
make lifelong friends, eat amazing food, see incredible things (do we need to go on?).
A private boarding school experience is ideal for you if you:
- Want to experience a French boarding school
- Want to get meet your new French best friend and their family
- Are interested in travelling to and from France with our group (not essential)
- Want flexible dates and durations for your program (up to a full French school year)
See what students had to say about their private boarding school experience.
BEFORE YOU GO
Program requirements
You must be an Australian high school student in years nine to 11 (between the ages of 14 and 17 when the program commences).
Program length & dates
This program offers you full flexibility of dates and durations during the French school year
(September to June). We offer programs with the group and individual travel options.
Travel insurance
Is to be organised directly by our affiliated travel agency i do travel (office@idotravel.com.au). i do travel will be in touch with registered AFX students to organise insurance and flights.
Individual Travel
The one way program offers the most flexible dates and durations which means you can stay for anywhere between four weeks and a whole school year. The only requirements are that the dates you choose to travel must fall in the French school calendar and that you arrive in and leave France on a Saturday. Here are some example program lengths:
+ September to December (four months)
+ January to June (four months)
+ Mid-November to mid-January (eight weeks)
+ Mid-December to mid-January (four weeks)
When you enquire, tell us your dream dates and we’ll try and make it work. Dates that fall outside our group date schedule will mean you travel as an unaccompanied minor. Don’t worry, you’ll still be greeted at airport by one of our representatives. If you’re thinking about travelling to see family in Europe before or after your program in France, then individual travel is your best option.
+ September to December (four months)
+ January to June (four months)
+ Mid-November to mid-January (eight weeks)
+ Mid-December to mid-January (four weeks)
When you enquire, tell us your dream dates and we’ll try and make it work. Dates that fall outside our group date schedule will mean you travel as an unaccompanied minor. Don’t worry, you’ll still be greeted at airport by one of our representatives. If you’re thinking about travelling to see family in Europe before or after your program in France, then individual travel is your best option.
Program location
We have placements available in cities, small towns and even some rural areas. With every exchange, our focus is on finding you the perfect correspondent and host family. We also have to match your preferred dates with the school’s availability. This means we can’t always place you exactly where you want to go. However, if you’d prefer the mountains to the sea or the country to the city, let us know and we’ll do our best to make it happen.
Visas requirements
International exchange students enter Australia on a subclass 500 student visa with a specific exchange student statistical code. We issue each exchange student with a visa document, known as the Acceptance Advice for Secondary Exchange Students (AASES) form, through their student exchange organisation (SEO). The exchange student is enrolled at the school to study formal subjects at age-appropriate levels. Typically, student exchanges operate at Year 10 level. Exchange students do not pay school tuition fees, and host families volunteer to provide accommodation.
COVID
Although AFX will make every effort to ensure students undertake their exchange program, participation remains subject to COVID-19 regulations. In the event that COVID-19 prevents or impacts your program, AFX will offer partial refunds to some participants. For more information on this policy, please read our detailed terms & conditions.
BEFORE YOU GO
Program requirements
You must be an Australian high school student in years nine to 11 (between the ages of 14 and 17 when the program commences).
Program length & dates
This program offers you full flexibility of dates and durations during the French school year
(September to June). We offer programs with the group and individual travel options.
Travel insurance
Is to be organised directly by our affiliated travel agency i do travel (office@idotravel.com.au). i do travel will be in touch with registered AFX students to organise insurance and flights.
Individual Travel
The one way program offers the most flexible dates and durations which means you can stay for anywhere between four weeks and a whole school year. The only requirements are that the dates you choose to travel must fall in the French school calendar and that you arrive in and leave France on a Saturday. Here are some example program lengths:
+ September to December (four months)
+ January to June (four months)
+ Mid-November to mid-January (eight weeks)
+ Mid-December to mid-January (four weeks)
When you enquire, tell us your dream dates and we’ll try and make it work. Dates that fall outside our group date schedule will mean you travel as an unaccompanied minor. Don’t worry, you’ll still be greeted at airport by one of our representatives. If you’re thinking about travelling to see family in Europe before or after your program in France, then individual travel is your best option.
+ September to December (four months)
+ January to June (four months)
+ Mid-November to mid-January (eight weeks)
+ Mid-December to mid-January (four weeks)
When you enquire, tell us your dream dates and we’ll try and make it work. Dates that fall outside our group date schedule will mean you travel as an unaccompanied minor. Don’t worry, you’ll still be greeted at airport by one of our representatives. If you’re thinking about travelling to see family in Europe before or after your program in France, then individual travel is your best option.
Program location
We have placements available in cities, small towns and even some rural areas. With every exchange, our focus is on finding you the perfect correspondent and host family. We also have to match your preferred dates with the school’s availability. This means we can’t always place you exactly where you want to go. However, if you’d prefer the mountains to the sea or the country to the city, let us know and we’ll do our best to make it happen.
Visas requirements
International exchange students enter Australia on a subclass 500 student visa with a specific exchange student statistical code. We issue each exchange student with a visa document, known as the Acceptance Advice for Secondary Exchange Students (AASES) form, through their student exchange organisation (SEO). The exchange student is enrolled at the school to study formal subjects at age-appropriate levels. Typically, student exchanges operate at Year 10 level. Exchange students do not pay school tuition fees, and host families volunteer to provide accommodation.
COVID
Although AFX will make every effort to ensure students undertake their exchange program, participation remains subject to COVID-19 regulations. In the event that COVID-19 prevents or impacts your program, AFX will offer partial refunds to some participants. For more information on this policy, please read our detailed terms & conditions.
How we choose your correspondent & host family
We know from experience that students who have good connections with their French
correspondent will talk more, become more immersed in school and family life, will see
greater improvements in their language skills and will sometimes even make friends for life.
That’s why we treat every student that applies to our programs as an individual with their
own distinct personality and passions, and then carefully match them with the perfect
French correspondent.
It’s also imperative to us that the family structure offered by French host family feels safe
and supportive and that students have their own bedroom.
We also require all adult members of the host family to provide a police check, and complete a face-to-face interview. We also conduct a visit to the host family’s home. You can read more about our child safety policy here.
Are you a vegetarian who’s allergic to cats? Don’t worry, diet, allergy and other health related concerns will also be taken into consideration. Just let us know your specific
requirements and we’ll find a way to make it work.
As part of the reciprocal program, we also guarantee your host family will take you to Paris
(unless that’s where you’ll be living, of course) so you can experience the incredible museums,
restaurants and beauty of the French capital.
Getting to France
Students can either travel independently or as part of a group.Those travelling as part of a group are escorted by an AFX Student Exchange staff member or
representative. Upon arrival in Paris, students are greeted at the airport by a member of our
French team and any host families located close to Paris.
For students hosted by families in regional France, we’ll help with transfers once you reach
Paris. One of our representatives will also be present at the airport upon departure.
We can organise chaperones from other departure cities (Perth, Brisbane and Adelaide) but
these are subject to group numbers
If needed, you can also choose to travel to France with the group and return on a different date.
If you’d like to travel in Europe or visit family at the end of your program, then individual travel is
a great option for you.
WHILE YOU’RE THERE
24/7 support
While students are in France, we are available via our 24/7 hotline. We also make regular contact with students in case they need support or have any questions.
Cultural immersion
While in France, you’ll live with your French correspondent and their family and be immersed in another culture. Obvious things like language, money and food will be different, but there will be some other cultural differences that may surprise you. Once you’ve been accepted into the program, we’ll help you prepare so you’re ready to make the most of your time in France.
School in France
You’ll always attend the same school as your French correspondent student. It’s the perfect way to make friends quickly and get properly immersed in your school. Most French students attend school five days a week, usually from about 8am until 5 or 6pm. When you’re attending school in another country, there will, of course, be differences in how things are done, how teachers teach, when you have lunch (v important) and more. We’re here to help you prepare so there are no surprises.
Subjects and timetables
Whether you’re a book worm or a mathlete, we always try our hardest to accommodate your passions and interests, but your timetable and subjects will depend on what the school has on offer, the classes your correspondent takes and how busy classes are at your host school. The longer your exchange program, the more flexibility you’ll get with subject and timetable
choices. Many schools also offer French as a foreign language (FLE) lessons. We’ll always let you know if these classes are available so don’t worry about missing out.
School holidays
Depending on the dates of your program, you may also have some school holidays while you’re in France. If you choose to take part in our summer program, the holidays tend to be from late December until the second week of January. These holidays offer an incredible opportunity for you to visit other parts of France and maybe even experience a white Christmas with your host family.
Sports and extra-curricular activities
Are you a budding oboist or the next René Lacoste? A French exchange program doesn’t mean you need to give up or fall behind on your extra-curriculars. When we look for your perfect host family and school, we always take your passions for sport, drama and music into consideration.
WHILE YOU’RE THERE
24/7 support
While students are in France, we are available via our 24/7 hotline. We also make regular contact with students in case they need support or have any questions.
Cultural immersion
While in France, you’ll live with your French correspondent and their family and be immersed in another culture. Obvious things like language, money and food will be different, but there will be some other cultural differences that may surprise you. Once you’ve been accepted into the program, we’ll help you prepare so you’re ready to make the most of your time in France.
School in France
You’ll always attend the same school as your French correspondent student. It’s the perfect way to make friends quickly and get properly immersed in your school. Most French students attend school five days a week, usually from about 8am until 5 or 6pm. When you’re attending school in another country, there will, of course, be differences in how things are done, how teachers teach, when you have lunch (v important) and more. We’re here to help you prepare so there are no surprises.
Subjects and timetables
Whether you’re a book worm or a mathlete, we always try our hardest to accommodate your passions and interests, but your timetable and subjects will depend on what the school has on offer, the classes your correspondent takes and how busy classes are at your host school. The longer your exchange program, the more flexibility you’ll get with subject and timetable
choices. Many schools also offer French as a foreign language (FLE) lessons. We’ll always let you know if these classes are available so don’t worry about missing out.
School holidays
Depending on the dates of your program, you may also have some school holidays while you’re in France. If you choose to take part in our summer program, the holidays tend to be from late December until the second week of January. These holidays offer an incredible opportunity for you to visit other parts of France and maybe even experience a white Christmas with your host family.
Sports and extra-curricular activities
Are you a budding oboist or the next René Lacoste? A French exchange program doesn’t mean you need to give up or fall behind on your extra-curriculars. When we look for your perfect host family and school, we always take your passions for sport, drama and music into consideration.
What makes our program stand out
Exclusively French
Our depth of knowledge and experience, as well as being French, means that we offer exquisite immersive cultural and linguistic experiences to France.
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INDIVIDUALISED
We treat every student as an individual with their own distinct personality and passions, and then carefully match them with the perfect French correspondent.
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GET OUR PRICES
Our starting price for a six-week program in France is $3550 and offers many inclusions as a part of the program. Our prices vary depending on the program you want to participate in and the duration of your stay in France.
get our prices
SAFE
We’re the only Australian student exchange organisation sending students exclusively to France that meets the strict safety standards needed for government accreditations.
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TESTIMONIALS
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Extras
Like us, Alliance Française are committed to providing experiences to Australian students to improve both their French language skills and appreciation of French culture.
We have an exclusive partnership with the Alliance Française in most Australian capital cities.
As part of our partnership, we run special deals and events for our participating students.
Visit our partnerships page to find out more.
Learn More
Visit our partnerships page to find out more.
NEWS
LET’S DO THIS
Prices
Our starting price for a six-week program in France is $3550 and offers many inclusions as a part of the program. Our prices vary depending on the program you want to participate in and the duration of your stay in France.
Learn More
