IFA Paris

2018 Student Guide / Paris campus

IFA Paris 2018 Student Guide / Paris

INTRODUCTION 3

CHECK LIST 3

LOCATION OF THE SCHOOL 4

HOTELS 5

HOUSING 6

AIRPORTS 9

TRANSPORTATION IN PARIS 10

INSURANCE AND HEALTH 12

MONEY 14

COMMUNICATION 15

VISA 16

PERSONALIZED SERVICE 19

INTERNSHIP 20

MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION 23

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IFA Paris 2018 Student Guide / Paris

INTRODUCTION
Welcome to IFA Paris! Moving to any new city can be a daunting task especially in a huge city like Paris;
however you will find that Paris is a very easy, fun and convenient city to live in. This guide aims to provide
you with some guidance on your way. This year’s class has a diverse mix of students from around the
world. Some have extensive experience in Paris and some are here for the first time. Hopefully this guide
has something for everyone. If you need any additional support, do not hesitate to contact your Education
Consultant or email the school at [email protected]

CHECK LIST
When you arrive in Paris, it is important that you follow these steps:

Get a phone
Find an apartment
Open a bank account (recommended)
Buy the transportation pass
Go to the OFII to validate your Titre de séjour (for non-European students)

This guide will provide you all the detailed information of how to proceed and go through these steps.

ORIENTATION DAY

To help you get settled during your first days in Paris and to learn more about the school, we dedicate your
first day at school to a special orientation day, with tips, information about the school, your courses etc.

Some of our partners will be present at school; the LCL Flandre Bank representative will help you open
your bank account if you haven’t already done so, the ACS Insurance representative will help you register
for health insurance, the Artistik Rezo association representative will introduce to you a wide range of
cultural events.

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IFA Paris 2018 Student Guide / Paris

LOCATION

The IFA Paris campus is located in the 19th district / quarter (19ème arrondissement):

18-24 Quai de la Marne, 75019 Paris

Tel: +33 (0)1 47 70 37 77

The School is located near Paris Metro Line 5 (Ourcq or Laumière) and Metro Line 7 (Crimée).

You can also stop at Stalingrad (Line 2 and 5) to come to school. It is a little bit further but it is really nice
to walk along the canal.

You can check the Paris Metro map on these websites:

https://www.ratp.fr/en/plans-lignes or https://www.ratp.fr/en

You can also take a bus that stop near the school campus: Line 60 / Stop: Ourcq – Jean Jaurès
https://www.ratp.fr/plans-lignes/bus-noctilien/60

You can click on this link to check for any other bus line: https://www.ratp.fr/en/plans-lignes/plan-des-
bus

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IFA Paris 2018 Student Guide / Paris

HOTELS
Like most capitals, Paris is a big and an expensive city.
You may wish to stay at a hotel (before moving to an apartment) in the area along Metro lines 5 and Metro
Line 7. We listed some of them near the school location.
You can book online either directly on the hotel’s website or on general booking websites:

3-star hotels (rooms starting at 60€)

Holiday Inn Express Canal de la Villette (the nearest) http://www.hiexpress.com/hotels/fr/fr/reservation

Hotel Crimée http://www.hotelcrimee.com/

Hotel Ibis Paris La villette Cité des Sciences http://www.accorhotels.com/fr/france/index.shtml

Hôtel Balladins Paris La Villette https://www.balladins.com/

Reims Hotel https://reimshotelparis.fr/en/

2- star hotels (rooms starting at 49€)

Hotel Ibis budget Paris La Villette http://www.accorhotels.com/fr/hotel-4982-ibis-budget-paris-la-

villette19eme/index.shtml

Hotel du Quai de Seine http://www.hotelparisquaideseine.com/en/

Youth Hostel (rooms starting at 18€)

If you are looking to save some money and would like enjoy a new experience, you may like to try a youth
hostel. Here is a list of some places near the school that might interest you:
St Christopher’s Inn (only 5 minutes of walk) https://www.st-christophers.co.uk/paris-hostels/canal
Thanks to our partnership with St Christopher’s Inn you have a 10% discount on your booking! You
just need to show the certificate of enrollment that will be given to you the first day of class or
your student card. The IFA student card will also give you a 25% discount on every meal you order
at Belushi’s.

The Loft Hostel Paris http://theloft-paris.com/

Peace and Love Hostel http://www.paris-hostels.com/home.htm
Perfect Hostel http://www.hostelworld.com/hosteldetails.php/Perfect-Hostel/Paris/14156

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IFA Paris 2018 Student Guide / Paris

HOUSING
You will need to rent a studio or a flat while you are studying in Paris. Housing in Paris is available at a wide
range of prices, but looking for a flat is time-consuming and difficult. Living alone can be expensive and
finding roommates with whom to share a flat may be more convenient.

Glimpse of the cost of living in Paris

Culture
Accommodation Food (Books, newspapers, Transportation
leisure…)
In Paris:
 10 tickets = 14,50€
For all Zones (1 to 5):
Starting at 500€/month
200 to 250€ from 100€ upwards • Navigo Pass for one
Can go up to 1200€/month
month = 75,20€
• Pass Imagine-R for one
year = 350€

What type of housing are they in Paris?

• Small studios or “Studettes”: also called “chambre de bonne” (attic room) are located on the top
floor (most often without lift) of buildings in comfortable residential areas (in the 5th, 6th, 7th,
16th districts). They are often rented out to students and are often furnished. Generally the toilets
are on the landing and must be shared with a few neighbors but you usually have a small
bathroom for yourself in the studio. Rent is approximately: 400 to 600 euros.
• Studio: have a main room and a bathroom. Please note that “studettes” are sometimes called
“studio” by their owners. A studio is generally bigger than a “studette”. Rent is approximately:
650 to 900 euros.
• Apartments: renting a flat in Paris is really expensive for a student budget. But you can rent a flat
with roommates and then share the rent.

Where can you consult housing ads?

• IFA Paris platform: IFA has a partnership with SPOTAHOME, the online housing booking platform
on the mid to long term. All the properties have been physically verified by a Homechecker who
takes photos, a guided video tour, a floor plan and a complete description of the property. Reserve
your housing in advance by visiting the properties directly online! IFA students get a 25% discount
on the booking fees with the code IFADISC25. Visit www.spotahome.com or contact Spotahome
at : [email protected]

• Real estate agencies usually charge fees that you will have to pay in order to use their services
(approximately once or twice the amount of a monthly rent!). In case you choose this option, it is
extremely important that you understand that agencies demand much more documents than
landlords. Both agencies and landlords require a guarantor living in France, in addition to your
documents. http://www.seloger.com/ http://www.avendrealouer.fr/
http://www.logic-immo.com/

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IFA Paris 2018 Student Guide / Paris

Since the last option is pretty much expensive we recommend you to use other ways to find a flat:

• Housing ads put on the Internet by the Paris CROUS:

These offers are for students only. You can consult them on the website of CROUS de Paris. To see
the owner’s phone number, you must register for free (by providing your student’s number). For
more information: www.lokaviz.fr (in French).
• Housing ads intended to foreigners:
The American church, the Swedish church and FUSA magazine allow you to consult their housing
ads, in French and English, free of charge. For more information:
https://ads.fusac.fr/ad-category/housing/housing-offers/
• “De Particulier à Particulier” website and magazine:
You can use the website www.pap.fr or use the magazine that is published every Thursday. You
can buy it at any newspapers shop on Thursday morning. If an offer interests you, you may call the
landlord straight away to book a visit. However all ads are in French.
• “Le Bon Coin” website:
You can use also the “Le Boncoin” website www.leboncoin.fr/, which provides you a direct contact
with the owner rather than passing by an agency in order to avoid the extra fees.
• Housing ads on websites specialized in students accommodation (Student Residence):
http://www.studyrama.com/study-in-france
https://www.adele.org/en/
https://en.location-etudiant.fr/
www.estudines.com/uk/
• The “Cité Universitaire” residence:
The residences of the “Cité Universitaire” http://www.ciup.fr/en/ are mostly organized by
nationality, although residents in each maison are not necessarily from the country implied by the
naming of the building.
“Cité Universitaire” is only accessible to the students who have completed their Bachelor degree.
So applicants should be studying towards at least a Master’s degree. However, public university
students are privileged, then private university students and will only receive offers if the rooms
are still available. You can apply using the following link:
https://bienvenue.ciup.fr/questionnaire/?lang=en

Attention!

You have to be extremely careful with websites such as “De Particulier à Particulier” and “Le Boncoin”, as
you can often find fake adverts that will be a scam. If you are planning to use these websites we
recommend you to get advice from someone who has experience of them or from the school’s student
office.

• Be aware of scams, some people may take advantages of you since you are a foreign student
and try to get more money out of you.
• Beware of ads that are too attractive, they are often a source of problems.
• Always ask for a receipt when you pay your rent so that you’ll have a proof, just in case.
• Never pay in advance anybody via “Western Union” or “Mandat Cash” or via the post office!

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IFA Paris 2018 Student Guide / Paris

What about shared flats and roommates?

You’ll find shared apartments ads in the sites and newspapers listed above but also on these specialized
websites (be careful: you often have to pay to get the phone number of the house-mates):
http://colocation.vivastreet.com/annonces-colocation: Free of charge
www.smoovup.com: Free of charge
http://www.appartager.com/: you can consult free of charge the address and phone number of
announcers who have paid. For the others you have to pay at least 18.90€
www.recherche-colocation.com : to contact the announcers prices starting at 10€
www.metroroommates.com : 13€ for a 90 days access
https://www.sublet.com/city_rentals/parisarea_rentals.asp : 13€ for a 90 days access

You will usually be asked for copies of these documents when visiting an apartment (Always give the
copies, never the originals!). You should have them prepared in advance and bring them with you on the
day of your visit:

For you:

- Residence permit
- Passport
- Parent’s proof of income (pay slips)
- Bank Account Details (not your account balance) - in French is called a RIB
- Certificate of Enrollment or Student Card

For your guarantor (living in France):

- Last 3 pay slips (his/her salary expected to be at least twice the monthly rent)
- Employment Contract
- Last 3 years’ tax assessment – in French it is called Avis d’Imposition
- Identity Card
- Bank Account Details - RIB

Do not forget:

If you are planning to leave your apartment, you usually have to inform your landlord of it 1 month in
advance for a furnished apartment or 3 months for a non-furnished apartment, with a letter sent by post
as a “Lettre Recommandé avec Avis de Réception”. Don’t forget to do an incoming and outgoing inventory
of fixtures (“état des lieux” in French) in order to get back your deposit before leaving Paris.

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IFA Paris 2018 Student Guide / Paris

AIRPORTS
Paris has two airports, Charles de Gaulle (CDG) in the north of the city and Orly (ORY) in the south. If you
arrive in Paris by air, use public transportation to get into central Paris; unless you can squeeze five
passengers into a taxi, it will certainly be cheaper.

Charles de Gaulle

Terminal 1. Take the airport shuttle to “railway station”. Once you reach the “R.E.R” station (5 minutes’
walk from the terminal) buy ticket/s for central Paris (the express regional network). Ask for Paris Zone
urbaine.
Terminal 2. The train station is in the terminal. Follow the signs for Gare TGV/Railway station. Once you
reach the ticket office for “RATP” (Paris urban transport network/RER/Metro) buy tickets for central Paris.
Ask for Paris Zone urbaine.
This link shows the photo-tour of the journey from CDG Terminal 2 to Central Paris:
http://parisbytrain.com/paris-airport-terminal-2-train-photo-tour/

Orly Airport

You can take the “Orlyval” light transit shuttles. These take you directly in 8 minutes to the RER station at
Anthony. There you can connect to RER line B for a direct and rapid train journey into central Paris.
You can also take the Orlybus shuttle direct from the airport; the bus route terminates at
DenfertRochereau metro station in the southern part of central Paris.

If you choose the option of taking a taxi you can book one before your trip on the following website:
https://www.g7.fr/en/ (Tel. +33 (0)1.41.27.66.99)
Please make sure your flight is on time, if it is not the case, let the taxi company know, they will otherwise
charge you a fee!

Another option is the Uber smartphone application (https://www.uber.com/), where you request your taxi
whenever you wish. The average waiting time is 10 minutes and you can consult the price range of your
drive from the beginning. In order to book an Uber, you first have to sign up to the application and register
your credit card as no contact is made with the driver.

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IFA Paris 2018 Student Guide / Paris

TRANSPORTATION IN PARIS
Using the Metro and Buses

Paris has a great public transportation network, with a fast underground network that stretches well into
the suburbs (5 different zones). It includes buses, the underground and over ground metro, the RER
(express transit metro) and of course plenty of taxis. Taxis in France are ordinary vehicles with a taxi sign
on the roof. However, we do not recommend it for everyday use of it as it is a costly means of
transportation.
There are travel cards especially designed for visitors/tourists: you will find more information on the
different websites given at the end of this guide. As you are going to stay in Paris for quite a while,
depending on where you live and how often you use public transportation you can buy a monthly or yearly
student pass. Here are all your options for travel in Zones 1 and 2 (center of Paris):

• ‘’Carnet’’ / Tickets: If you don’t plan to use the Paris metro or the bus very often during the day,
opt for a “carnet”. This corresponds to ten standard tickets (14,90€). Carnet tickets have no date
limit, and can be shared among members of a group. They are valid on buses, the metro and the
“RER” within the central area. Used on metro and RER journeys, the tickets allow as many changes
as you want. Though the Metro is mainly an underground system, several parts of the network are
above ground, and offer an interesting way to see Paris from street level.
• Pass Navigo: This option is for students staying for just a few months in Paris. You can buy a Pass
Navigo from all metro stations for 75,20€/month, or 22,80€/week. You can use all transportation
means and your travels are unlimited in all areas within the Paris region (Zones 1-5).
• Pass Imagine-R: If you are staying in Paris for more than a year, you can go to any Metro Station
and ask for a form to request a “Pass Imagine R”. It is only for students who are under and 26 years
old. It costs 350€/year but once you get it you have unlimited access to all Zones of Paris (Zone 1
– 5).
If you need any help filling out the form you can come and see us at the student office. After that,
you will need to send the form with a document proving you are actually a student (“Attestation
de scolarité” given by us at the beginning of the year) as well as an identity picture. You have to
send all the documents to:
Agence imagine R
TSA 46033
95905 Cergy Pontoise cedex 9

For more information you can click on this link (in French): http://www.imagine-r.com/

Note: A standard Paris metro ticket is not valid on the RER to travel to the suburbs, and particularly to
travel to Charles de Gaulle or Orly airports. For such destinations, you must buy a specific ticket. Specific
destination tickets and carnets are available at all metro stations, and from automatic machines, which
accept credit cards. Carnets can also be bought from some main French railway stations outside Paris.
More information: https://www.ratp.fr/en/titres-et-tarifs/airport-tickets

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IFA Paris 2018 Student Guide / Paris

Finding your way in the metro

It is actually easier than it looks at first. Using the maps available, check the line number and terminus
station of each line you wish to use. If you need to change routes, follow the “correspondance” signs on
the platform and through the foot tunnels; these indicate the line numbers and the termini. Just follow
the right one. The RATP (Paris transport authority) provides free maps, which are usually available in hotels
or metro stations.
https://www.ratp.fr/en

VELIB’

All over Paris, at approximately every 300 meters in all directions, visitors to the city cannot help noticing
bicycle racks, full of identical bicycles. This is Paris's successful "Velib’"bike-hire scheme https://www.velib-
metropole.fr/en_GB/#/ , which - if used correctly - can prove an excellent and cheap way to get around
the capital.
You can hire a Velib bike for just one euro per day, if you use the system properly. On the other hand, if
you do not use the system as it is intended (for short hires only), it can be very expensive. To hire a Velib,
you need a chip-and-pin credit card. On hire, you will be charged a 150 €deposit, which may well not be
re-credited to your card for another two weeks. A day's use of the system costs only 1,70€, which includes
as many half-hour hire periods as you want, during the day. These first half hour periods are always free,
and you can have as many free "first" half hours as you want in a single day. After that, rates rise steeply
per extra half hour. So while you could use a Velib for all your needs for just 1,70€ per day, you could find
yourself paying over 80 € if you do not return the bike for a couple of minutes every 30min!

TAXIS

Here are some website and phone numbers if you want to call a taxi while you are in Paris:

https://www.g7.fr/ Tel. 01 41 27 66 99 (English-speaking)

https://www.uber.com/ Access only by internet or the smartphone application

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IFA Paris 2018 Student Guide / Paris

HEALTH AND INSURANCE (COMPULSORY)

The French health care system is one of the best in the world. The level of care available at French hospitals
has a very high quality, and universal insurance means healthcare is available to everyone! Students, in
particular, enjoy quick and easy access to medical services and preventive care. However in order to enjoy
these benefits you must sort out your health insurance first. It is not automatic!

All hospitals have an emergency room that is open 24/7. Some physicians and pharmacies are on call at
nights and week-ends.

At the moment, European citizens must, before leaving their home country for France, make a request in
order to obtain the European Health Insurance card.

Non-European students under 28 years old must subscribe to a private health insurance in their home
country or in France to cover potential medical costs, hospitalization and repatriation.

The school works in partnership with ACS www.assistance-etudiants.com/en, a private insurance and this
partnership enables our students to receive a 10% discount. It also offers a complementary health
insurance for European students. In order for you to benefit of the 10% discount, you should come and
see us at the student office so we can help you with your request.

Please note: If you make your request online, this discount will not be applied as it is only accessible if you
apply as an IFA Paris student.

Please, be careful: in case of accident, IFA Paris is not responsible for medical costs.

The French government and the school required a health insurance for every student. Please
upload a proof on the certificate tab of the Feel Français platform. It can be a carte vitale for the
ones who already have the French public insurance, an European health insurance card (the purple
one) for students from EU or a proof of private insurance or your application to the French
public insurance for the non EU students. For more details for those 2 last options, check the health
insurance tab of Feel Français platform:
https://school.feelfrancais.com/en/health_insurance/form

Fees start around 35€ per visit. However, you must pay the doctor first and you will then get reimbursed
by the health insurance. The documents required differ, depending on the different health insurances.
For the ACS health Insurance, you have to send by post the following documents:

- The original ‘’feuilles de soins’’ (treatment form) and each of the medicine's stickers
to your health insurance, within 3 months after your medical treatment.
- All medical invoices and prescriptions
- The claim form properly fill out (you can find a copy following the link below)
http://www.assistance-etudiants.com/files/pdf/claim-form-en.pdf

Here are the names, addresses, and numbers of some general physicians who speak English.
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IFA Paris 2018 Student Guide / Paris

Dr Diane BEAULIEU d’IVERNOIS Dr Madeleine ROSE

20 rue Croix des Petits Champs Hôpital Américain de Paris 63,
75001 Paris boulevard Victor-Hugo
Telephone: 01.53.45.86.00 B.P. 109
92202 Neuilly sur Seine
Dr Michel DANILOVSKI Email: [email protected]
15, Boulevard Lefèvre Telephone: 01.46.41.27.44
75015 Paris
Telephone: 01.45.31.10.80

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IFA Paris 2018 Student Guide / Paris

MONEY
Major credit cards (such as Visa and MasterCard) are accepted for payments in above 15 Euros in the most
places. ATM (Automated teller machines or cash machines) are readily available throughout the city.
The French make extensive use of check books. But checks issued and drawn on foreign banks are rarely
accepted by French merchants.
If you stay in France for more than three months, you can open a ‘resident’ current account by presenting
the following documents: passport, residency permit (see page 17), proof of address (e.g. electricity bill,
rent contract/receipt, etc.).
If you do not have a residence proof or a residence permit, you can open a ‘non-resident’ account. The
main difference between a ‘resident’ and a ‘non-resident’ account is that with a ‘non-resident’ account
you may not issue a credit card or provide an overdraft.
Ask your bank at home if it has a partnership with a banking institution in France. It may make things easier
when you go to open an account in France.

The school has a partnership with the LCL Bank. This partnership concerns the LCL Flandre Branch only,
situated near the school, at 107 Avenue de Flandre 75019. This means that IFA Paris students receive
additional benefits if they open their French bank account at the LCL Flandre Branch, such as:

• A 1 € fee - For the bank card for the 1st year (and then 1,50€ per year)
A 1 € fee - For payments instruments insurance for the 1st year
A 1 € fee - For home insurance for the 1st year (compulsory if you rent from a private landlord)
• LCL’s ISIC Card which is both a bank card and an international student identity card. The card
entitles you to as many as 8,000 potential discounts and advantages in France, and over 40,000
potential offers throughout the world.
• Inventive Card, which is an international bank card that can be customized with a personal image
• Free overdraft (up to 400€)
• Online Account Management
• Savings: - Livret Jeune / Livret A (Savings account for 12 to 25 years old)
- System’Epargne
• Abroad: - Preferential rates for payments and withdrawals with the card outside the E.U.
- Preferentail rates for international money transfers outside SEPA (Single Euro
Payments Area)

List of the documents required for opening a bank account:

- Full and Valid Passport or ID card

- School Certificate of Enrollment OR / and Student Card
- Bill from utility company (not older than 3 months): electricity invoice, house insurance…
(mobile phone bills are not accepted) as proof of residence

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IFA Paris 2018 Student Guide / Paris

If you stay with a live-in landlord/friend/family:

- An “Attestation d’hébergement”
- Photocopy of the owner’s ID card
- Bill from utility company (not older than 3 months): electricity invoice, house insurance…
(mobile phone bills are not accepted) as proof of residence
Note: As mentioned before, on orientation day you will be able to meet the LCL representative who can
help you open a bank account and answer at your questions. - Opening a bank account in France
To open a current account in France, you can walk in into any bank of your choice and you will probably be
able to open it on the very same day. Usually banks open at 9am and close around 6pm. However most of
banks are closed at lunch time and on Mondays since they open on Saturdays. Your Carte Bleue (the French
debit card) should be sent to you within 10 days after opening the account.

A bank account in France in your name: a necessity

An international bank card is not really sufficient to live in France longer than 3 months. As a student, you
will be living like the French on a daily basis, you may be receiving student accommodation financial help,
be covered by the student social security scheme, and perhaps you will find a job…

You need a bank account in your name for several reasons:

• The housing benefit for students help and social security payments are made by automatic transfer
directly into a bank account;
• Salaries are paid by cheque or automatic transfer, never in cash;
• You may need a chequebook to pay your rent and electricity bills. You can also opt to pay by direct
debit or by bank card.

In France, the usual means of payment are:

• Bank blue card (Carte Bleue) for purchases in shops;
• Cheque or direct debit for gas, electricity, etc.; Cash for small amounts.

When you open the account, you must deposit at least 15 €.

Once the account is open, you will receive a chequebook (about ten days afterwards - usually this is free
of charge) and a bank card (you will have to pay between 15 and 40 € for this, unless your account is with
the LCL Flandre Branch).
Managing your account: be careful about going overdrafts!
If you spend more than you have in your account, you will have to pay overdraft fees (called “agios”) which
are usually very high.
If you loose your card or chequebook:
Contact your bank as soon as possible to stop fraudulent use of your payment means. If the bank is closed,
call the emergency number indicated in your contract to inform them of the loss or theft. Contact the bank
again as soon as it opens to confirm the loss and disable your card/chequebook. Return the document you
received duly signed.

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IFA Paris 2018 Student Guide / Paris

COMMUNICATION
How to use your mobile phone in France
Like all European and many other countries, France operates on a GSM network. This means that if your
current phone is GSM-compatible, it will probably work in France. If you are coming from North America
or some parts of Asia you will probably have a CDMA phone, which will not work in France.
If you are in France and want to call someone living in France, dial a ten-digit phone number, always starting
with '0'. If you want to call someone abroad, dial '00' + country code + phone number.
Getting started
If you want to use your current GSM-compatible phone in France, you have two options:
Keep your current service provider from your home country: Check with your provider that you can use
the phone in France (roaming) – you will probably be able to, but you may have to specifically ask your
provider to enable your account to do this.
This is not a cheap solution as you pay for all of the calls you receive at international rates (for the length of
the call between your home country and France), in addition to being charged expensive rates for calls
from France.
Buy a new SIM card (recommended): This will give you a French phone number, so you can call on normal
mobile rates and not pay anything for receiving calls. You need to check whether your phone is unlocked
(some phones are specific to only one network). Even if your phone is locked, it is easy to unlock it (ask in
a specialist telecom shop, unlocking your phone might cost around €20-30). You can buy a SIM card in most
Bureaux de Tabac (tobacco stores).
Note: Once you have a new phone number, please inform the student office of your contact details in
France.
Service providers
There are three main providers in France (Orange, SFR and Bouygues Telecom) each with its own coverage
and sales network. Bouygues Telecom and Orange offer mobile plans without long-term bond.
This is the best option for all students staying in Paris. Most plans start at 9,99€/month for unlimited calls
and texts. Here you can find some low cost package offers:

• Sosh (offered by Orange): You can go to any Orange store and ask for a Sosh mobile plan.
http://www.sosh.fr/
• B&YOU (offered by Bouygues Telecom): You also can go to any Bouygues Telecom boutique to get
the B&YOU mobile plan https://www.b-and-you.fr/
• Free (offered by Free): This option is the least expensive one. It costs only 2€ per month (unlimited
texting and 2 hours call). However you have to subscribe on the internet for this one.
http://www.free.fr/freebox/
When you leave France you can at any moment terminate your subscription just by sending a written
cancellation letter via registered mail (see page 17) to your contract provider. In the letter don’t forget to
notify the date you want at which your subscription to stop.
Note: You can use Skype to make international calls and contact your family and friends.

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IFA Paris 2018 Student Guide / Paris

VISA
Long stay visa / “Titre de séjour” for students European students
European students do not have to apply for a “Titre de séjour”.

Non-European students
Since June 1st of 2009, the holders of a student visa for stays of over 3 months must validate their entry
visa at OFII (l’Office Français de l’Immigration et de l’Intégration). The demand of the validation must
imperatively be done within the 3 months following your arrival in France. This validation is compulsory.
The visa will be valid for one year after the medical visit organized by the immigration office in France and
not after the first day of entry in France. In the absence of registration, the holder of the visa will be
considered by the French authorities as being in irregular situation and can be departed.
Failure to respect the 3 month delay will result in a penalty fee being charged to the student; usually several
hundred euros!

Here is the process of validation for a “Titre de séjour”:

STEP 1: Verification of your visa

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IFA Paris 2018 Student Guide / Paris

STEP 2: Submission of your application

When getting your student visa, the French Embassy or Consulate gave you a form entitled Demande
d’Attestation OFII (Office Français de l’Immigration et de l’Intégration). If you do not have the document,
you may download it by visiting the following link:

http://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/IMG/pdf/11._Formulaire_visa_long_sejour_document_no11_-3.pdf

Once registered at the school, you will have to complete the bottom part of the form (address in France
and visa information). We organize information sessions on this at the beginning of the year. You may
come by the student office if you need further help to complete the form.

In order to complete your demand you have to send all the following documents to the OFII:

 The OFII form duly completed,

 A copy of the ID pages of your passport which contain your civil status, passport validity date, visa,
and the immigration stamp you received when first entering the French Territoty.

Here is the address of the OFII for students living in Paris (75):

Office français de l’immigration et de l’intégration

48, rue de la Roquette
75011 PARIS

FOR STUDENTS LIVING OUTSIDE PARIS (IN THE SUBURBS), PLEASE COME AND SEE US AT THE STUDENT
OFFICE!

The documents must be sent by « Lettre recommandée avec avis de réception » (document supplied by
the post office). Why is it important to send a “Lettre recommandée”? It will give you a proof that the
recipient received your letter. It is always used for important correspondances.

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IFA Paris 2018 Student Guide / Paris

STEP 3: Medical exams

You will then receive by e-mail or by post an appointment date for a medical exam. Those appointments
are mandatory, nominative and non-postponable.

STEP 4: Validation of your residence permit

In the weeks following your medical exams, you will receive by e-mail and then by post a summons to the
OFII.

You will then be able to schedule an appointment at the OFII, where you will need to bring the following
original documents and their copies:

 your passport and your visa page

 the medical certificate
 proof of residency (rent receipt, electricity bill,…)
 identity photo
 fiscal stamp

It is also compulsory for you to pay a student tax of 60€, either by online payment at www.timbresofii.fr
or by buying a fiscal stamp available in most tobacco shops. Please note that you cannot buy the tax stamp
directly from the OFII.
At the end of this appointment, the OFII will apply its stickers on your visa, validating your first residence
permit.

Important: we remind you that you should not travel outside of France before the validation of your
residence permit. This means that between the time of your arrival in France and your medical visit you
should stay within the country. Without the OFII sticker, leaving the territory is considered final. If you
need to travel for emergency reasons before you have received your ‘Titre de Séjour’, you may go to the
‘Prefecture de Police’ and request an authorization to leave the country.

Please Note:

If you remain on French territory after your visa has expired, you run the risk of having to pay a fine of 180€
and/or blacklisted when you leave French territory. Do not neglect your visa duties.

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IFA Paris 2018 Student Guide / Paris

PERSONALIZED SERVICE
As an IFA Paris student, you can benefit from personal service before and after your arrival in Paris. Perle
from Feel parisien, can assist you with finding an apartment (furnished or unfurnished flat, shared or
student accommodation…) and provide you as well with a wide range of services ((phone card, bank
account, airport transfer, assistance in your housing financial aid, visa, student metro card…).

Types of services provided :

 Creation bank account

 Get a French phone
 Take a home insurance
 Follow VISA process
 Benefit to the home financial help CAF
 Get a Student metro card
 Assist for the Airport transfer
 Electricity process

Each student is individually followed over time: save time, energy, and money by having a contact in
Paris who takes care of everything for you
You can send an email right now to receive help to [email protected]
Check out the website: www.feelparisien.com

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IFA Paris 2018 Student Guide / Paris

INTERNSHIP
During your studies at IFA, you will have the possibility to do short internships. It is a good way to get work
experience while studying. IFA Paris encourages all students to do internships during holidays or at the end
of the school year but not during classes!

We receive internship offers from companies throughout the academic year, which are posted regularly
on the information wall. However the offers may not be systematic. You are the ones who should find your
internship. We are more than happy to help you if you have any questions, however it is not our job to find
them for you.

Here you will find some websites where you can search for your internship:

- http://fr.fashionjobs.com/
- http://www.stage.fr/page/accueil.aspx
- http://www.profilculture.com/

When you find an internship, you, the company and the school will have to sign an internship agreement
which is called a Convention de stage in French. The school will then draft the Convention de Stage in 3
copies. But before that, you will have to fill out a document called “Approval Certificate” form. This form
helps us collect all the information needed to draft the final agreement. It is important that you will fill
correctly all the information required.

Here is the process while doing an internship:

1) Find an internship
2) Then you fill out the Approval Certificate form (see below) by contacting the company you will
work for and send it to: [email protected]
3) Ekaterina will create the Convention the stage in about 7 days once you send her the complete
Internship Application Form

Please Note:

A Convention de Stage is obligatory in order for you to have an internship as it legally protects you, your
school and the company. An Internship must not exceed a maximum of 6 months in the same company.
Internships are paid only if they are superior to 2 months.

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IFA Paris 2018 Student Guide / Paris

INTERNSHIP APPLICATION FORM

Information to create a “Convention de Stage” (Internship agreement)
(Please, answer each question accurately to quickly get your internship agreement)

STUDENT (INTERN)

Name : …………………………………………………………………... Last name: ………………………………………………

Class: ………………………………………………………………………..School year: 20 ………./20….…...

Date of birth: Place of birth (town and country):

Home address in France :

 : E-mail :

COMPANY
• Company full name :

• Company address :

: E-mail:

• Establishment SIRET number (in France):

• The address of the workplace during your internship (if different of the company address):

• Department in which the internship will be completed:

• Your position during the internship:

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IFA Paris 2018 Student Guide / Paris

THE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE HOST ORGANISATION (the person who will sign the agreement)

Name: Last name:

: E-mail:

Capacity:

THE INTERNSHIP COORDINATOR (the person who is in charge of you during the internship)

Name: Last name:

: E-mail:

Capacity:

• Subject to be studied during the internship:

• The skills to be acquired or to develop during the internship:

• Period of your internship (the internship duration cannot exceed 924 hours, about six months x
35 h a week or equivalent):
Start date: Last working day:

• How many hours will you work in the week (no longer than the salaried employees in the firm):

• Your gratuity for your internship if agreed; compensation is required if your internship is
lasting longer than 308 hours (= 44 days x 7 hours each or equivalent).
The amount of the gratuity is set at : Euros per or for the whole internship.

• In order to make out the internship agreement, could you, please, fill in the attached schedule
by indicating, for each day, in the column “nombre d’heures”, the time you will spend as an
intern with this firm (don’t mention break time). The days marked yellow are days usually off
(please check with the company, especially for extra days off).

• Time off, number of days off authorised during the internship:

From: To:

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IFA Paris 2018 Student Guide / Paris

MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION
Safety

In Paris, as in any big city, one should always be aware of one’s belongings in crowded (or touristic) places.

Emergency Numbers:
- SOS – all services (calling from a mobile): 112
- Fire Department / Sapeurs Pompiers: 18
- SAMU (serious medical emergencies): 15 or 01 45 67 50 50
- Police Station / Police Nationale: 17
- Anti-Poison Center: Hôpital Fernand Widal, 200 rue du Faubourg Saint-Denis 75010 Paris / 01 40
05 48 48
- Severe Burns: Hôpital Foch, 40 rue Worth 92150 Suresnes / 01 45 67 50 50
- Drugs info Service: 08 00 23 13 13
- Alcohol Helpline: 08 11 91 30 30
- Cannabis Helpline: 08 11 91 20 20
- AIDS info Service: 08 00 84 08 00

Information about Paris

Paris is not a homogenous block of urban development; an ancient city, dating back to before Roman times,
it is a city that has grown organically over the centuries, to the point that it has reached today, a city with
an intra-muros population of 2 million inhabitants, an urban/suburban area of 6 million, and a
metropolitan area of close to 10 million inhabitants.
With 150 movie theaters, and thousands stage performances each year (in national theaters and center
for dramatic arts), 140 museums, and countless music festivals, concerts and other events, you should
have no trouble enjoying yourself in France.
All of France’s cultural sites and attractions offer student discounts, so always take with you your student
ID card !
Paris intra-muros

"Paris", in the strict sense of the term, is an area covering 10,539 hectares or 105.39 sq. km, corresponding
to the "département" of the Seine (75), the smallest in France in terms of size. This area is almost exactly
delimited by the route of the Paris inner ring road, or "Boulevard Périphérique", which circles the city.
Within this area, Paris is divided administratively into 20 urban boroughs, called arrondissements,
conveniently known by their numbers, rather than historic names. Parisians know the numbers, and often
use them to refer to parts of the city; yet the historic areas of Paris also have names, some of them well-
known, other less. Here therefore is a short guide to the main "Quarters" of Paris:
http://about-france.com/paris-quarters-districts.htm

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IFA Paris 2018 Student Guide / Paris

Cultural Activities
You are students, and thus there are plenty of places you can go visit for free or at a reduced rate. The
school is organizing visits to museums, galleries etc. throughout the year in parallel with your courses which
will help you with your different projects. However, you can of course visit different exhibitions by yourself
too. You can find some useful information below regarding different activities.

The school works in partnership with the association and leisure club Artistik Rezo
http://www.artistikrezo.com/ which offers plenty of reduced rates or even free entrances in museums,
theatres, cinemas. You can check their website in order to check the different activities they provide.
Note: As mentioned earlier, the Artistik Rezo representative will be present on orientation day who will
answer your questions and help you register for your club membership which is compulsory (for money
saving when you visit museums, cinemas, theatres).
Museums:
As you know Paris is one of the most beautiful and rich cultural cities in the world. Paris is the home of
hundreds of famous museums and galleries worth visiting. Most of them are in the center of the city, so
you can access them very easily. As a student, you even have the opportunity to have a free access or
reduced rates into some of them, but only if you show them your IFA student card. Some of the most
interesting museums easy to access are:

• “Le Musée des Arts Décoratifs”

Free Entrance for most of the exhibitions with student card Address:
107-111, rue de Rivoli - 75001 Paris
http://www.lesartsdecoratifs.fr/en/
• “Grand Palais”
Reduced rate entrance with student card
Address: 3 Avenue du Général Eisenhower - 75008 Paris
http://www.grandpalais.fr/en
 “Musée du Luxembourg”
Reduced rate with student card
Address: 19 rue de Vaugirard - 75006 Paris
http://en.museeduluxembourg.fr/
• “Palais de Tokyo”
Reduced rate with student card
Address: 13 Avenue du Président Wilson - 75116 Paris
http://www.palaisdetokyo.com/en
• “Palais Galliera”
Reduced rate with student card
Address: 10, rue Pierre 1er de Serbie - 75116 Paris
http://www.palaisgalliera.paris.fr/en

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IFA Paris 2018 Student Guide / Paris

Department Stores (Grands Magasins):

• “Le Bon Marché Rive Gauche”

Address: 24, rue de Sèvres - 75007 Paris http://www.lebonmarche.com/en.html
• “Printemps”
Address: 64, Boulevard Haussmann - 75009 Paris http://departmentstoreparis.printemps.com/en
• “Galeries Lafayette”
Address: 40, Bd Haussmann - 75009 Paris http://haussmann.galerieslafayette.com/en/

Most importantly, be curious, discover and absorb all the culture that Paris generously provides you !

Note: Parisian usually use metro stations as meeting points and reference points to navigate the
city. You will soon be doing just the same!

Indispensable websites

French Ministry of Foreign affairs - http://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/

Official Website of the city of Paris - http://www.paris.fr/
Visitor Guide and Travel tips - http://about-france.com/paris.htm
Paris public transportation website - https://www.ratp.fr/en
City Useful Information for English Speakers - https://www.angloinfo.com/paris
City Useful Information for English Speakers - http://www.fusac.fr/

Environment of the School

Where to get food for lunch?

Around the school you have many different choices for you to eat, there are supermarkets such as
Monoprix, Franprix or Simply for example or even restaurants and boulangeries. You can of course bring
your own food from home if you wish to, since there is a cafeteria available at the school where you can
eat and heat up your lunch.
Some cafés and restaurants:

Café Odilon
16 Quai de la Marne, 75019 Paris
Tel. 01 40 36 18 22

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IFA Paris 2018 Student Guide / Paris

Belushi’s (http://www.belushis.com/)
159 Rue de Crimée, 75019 Paris
Tel. 01 40 34 34 40
Thanks to your IFA Student card you will have a 25% discount on every meal you order at the
Belushi’s.

Maison Becquey (http://www.maisonbecquey.com/)

34 Quai de la Marne, 75019 Paris
Tel. 01 45 26 97 79

Le Bastringue (http://www.lebastringue-paris.fr/?lang=en)
67 Quai de la Seine, 75019 Paris
Tel. 01 85 15 22 97

Okay Café (Crêperie)

41 b Quai de la Loire, 75019 Paris
Tel. 01 42 01 56 04

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IFA Paris 2018 Student Guide / Paris

Leisure
The school is right by a canal, it is really nice and enjoyable, especially during spring and summer time.
There is also a small boating center 5 minutes away as well as a small park.

Culture
 Mk2 movie theater (http://www.mk2.com/salle/quai-de-loire) showing movies in Original Version
with French subtitles.
7 Quai de la Loire • 75019 Paris
Tél. 01 42 03 75 86

 Le Centquatre (104) (http://www.104.fr/version-anglaise/). This place hosts several art projects

every year. You can assist shows or concerts, and go to many visual arts exhibitions. 5 rue Curial •
75019 Paris
Tél. 01 53 35 50 00

 Point Ephémère (http://www.pointephemere.org/). This place is also hosting art projects all along
the year. They are many concerts, visual arts exhibition, shows…
200 Quai de Valmy • 75010 Paris
Tél. 01 40 34 02 48

 Campus Langues (http://www.campuslangues.com/). If you are keen to learn French, Campus

Langues is a private institute offering intensive courses to quickly learn French in Paris through
lessons and cultural activities.

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IFA Paris 2018 Student Guide / Paris

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