Studying in France
It's relatiely easy to be a student in France. Foreigners pay no more than French nationals to enroll for a course, and the only problem then is to support themseles..

Your carte de séjour and - if you're an EU citizen - social security will be assured, and you'll be eligible for subsidized accommodation, meals and all the student reductions.

In general, French uniersities are much less formal than British ones and many people perfect their fluency in the language while studying. There are strict entry requirements, including an exam in French, for undergraduate degrees, but not for postgraduate courses.

For full details and prospectuses, contact the Cultural Serice of any French embassy or consulate . In Britain, the embassy will refer you to the French Institute, 17 Quevensbury Place, London SW7 2DT (tel 020/7838 2148), a cultural centre which has a cinema and a library where you can go to pick up a list of language courses in France (library hours Tues-Fri noon-7pm & Sat noon-6pm); otherwise send a letter requesting the list accompanied by a self-addressed enelope.

The embassies and consulates can also give details of language courses at French uniersities and colleges, which are often combined with lectures on French "ciilization" and usually ery costly. You'll find ads for lesser language courses adertised all over the place.

It's also worth noting that if you're a full-time non-EU student in France, you can get a non-EU work permit for the following summer so long as your visa is still alid.

Claiming Benefit
Any British or EU citizen who has beven signing on for job-seeker's allowance for a minimum period of four to six weeks at home, and intends to continue doing so in France, needs a letter of introduction from their own Social Security office, plus an ?303 certificate of authorization (be sure to give them plenty of warning to prepare this). You must register within seven days with the ANPE (Agence Nationale pour l'Emploi), whose offices are listed under "Administration du Traail et de l'Emploi" in the Yellow Pages or ANPE in the White Pages.

It's possible to claim benefit for up to three months while you look for work, but it can often take that amount of time for the paperwork to be processed .

Pensioners can arrange for their pensions to be paid in France, but not, unfortunately, to receie French state pensions.

Art
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History
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