Housing

The French open their homes to students in order to supplement their incomes. US programs in Paris that offer stays in French homes do so in order to give their students a view into French home life. Students should not expect to be made a “part of the family”, but they will learn about life in a French family.

You will all have your own room in a typical Parisian apartment with access to the bathroom and kitchen. You will have a lot of autonomy and the amount of contact with the hosts depends largely on your effort. The students who profit most from the families are the ones who make the effort to interact. There are many different types of housing situations and we try our utmost to match your needs. Smoking and allergies are top on the list. All our households are metro-accessible and located in or close to Paris. The families supply linens and furniture, but you will need to have your own alarm clock, toiletries, and special appliances like hairdryers.

The following is a list of amenities you can expect in the home: 

Shower 

You have the right to take one shower per day with hot water. Showers that last more than 10 minutes are considered excessive. 

Telephone

Normally you will not be allowed to use the home phone. It is highly recommended that you rent a cell phone in France. The most cost efficient way to contact your family is to use Skype or other means of communication online. You can always call from your cell phone and ask your family to call you back.

Laundry

Sheets and towels will be provided by your host family. The sheets will be changed every 15 days and towels every week. You will need to wash your own laundry at a nearby laundromat.

Kitchen Access

You will have access to the kitchen during breakfast and dinner, but not during lunch time. You will be able to cook but for a limited amount of time and without imposing on the family. For your convenience, some space will be made available to you both in the kitchen and in the fridge. You are not permitted to freely use/consume the host family’s food. Above all be considerate and observe any rules that the family has established for the kitchen.

Depending on the program, meals with the family can be included or not. The number of meals might vary as well. You should take advantage of these meals to see how your families cook. And giving a hand is more than welcome! Do not hesitate to ask them where is the nearest supermarket and for cooking recipes.

Keys

The family will provide you with your own complete set of keys and access codes to the building if needed; note your access code in your mobile phone and do not forget it. Once you finish the program you must return the keys. If you lose the keys, you are responsible for replacing them and paying for a change of locks if the family requests it.

Going Out and Coming Home

You are free to come and go as you would on your home campus, but we ask you to be respectful of your family. It is very important to let the family know if you are leaving for the weekend or overnight. It is unacceptable that the host family calls EUSA because you have not informed them of your plans. It will set emergency procedures in motion and may result in a warning about your behavior that could lead to expulsion from the program.

Visitors

This is left up to each individual family, and is a subject that should be discussed when you first move in. Some families will want you to ask in advance when you plan to bring guests, while some families may not want you to have guests at all. You are responsible for the conduct of guests or visitors. It is imperative that your guests/visitors respect and comply with all rules/regulations while staying with you and your ‘family’. Any breach by any such guest or visitor shall be deemed a breach by you.

Room

Your room will be the one that the household has designated for you. You will be responsible for taking care of your own room and keeping it neat and orderly. Find out how the household cleaning schedule works.

Property Damage

You are responsible for the repair or replacement of any household item you damage or destroy. EUSA declines all responsibility. Failure to settle these charges with your host family prior to departure from Paris will result in the appropriate charges being added to your student account. It may also result in inability to register for courses; inability to have grades assigned; transcript holds, and delays in processing financial aid awards for future semesters.

Internet

Most French families have internet and/or WiFi at home, however they are not obliged to provide access and not all families have internet or WiFi. There are many locations in Paris which provide access to Internet and WiFi. For more information please go to: Internet and Wifi (http://www.eusa-edu.com/sites/paris/arrival-handbook155/culture-and-travel160/123-paris-arrival-handbook/culture-and-travel/403-wifi-a-cyber-cafes.html). 

General Behavior

Dress appropriately in the house: cover up!

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