Bon appetit!  We toast to many good meals with this popular French phrase; now is your chance to do it, say it, and live it for real!  Cultural Embrace offers an unique opportunity for you to work in the hospitality industry in France. Jobs available focus on food & beverage, housekeeping, kitchen hands, culinary, cooking, front desk, and customer service.

You will have two options to gain practical work experience and earn a basic living in France. You can opt to have your job and housing pre-arranged and confirmed prior to your departure; or you can have the freedom and flexibility to search for your job and housing while in France (with the support and assistance of our local representatives). With the pre-arranged placement option, you will receive shared accommodations and meals while on-duty, as well as a living allowance of €150-200 per month. You are expected to work an average of 39 hours per week, with two days off per week. Each employer has its own working and schedule arrangement that you should be willing to accept.

If you wish to search for your own job, we will provide you with two nights of shared hostel accomodations with breakfast, located close to our Paris office. On Wednesdays at 2:00pm, our local representative will provide an orientation of comprehensive information about living and working in France. You will receive unlimited access to our job and housing listings throughout France, internet, computer, and fax usage, luggage storage, mail holding and message-takijng services, local phone card and personalized service for excursions, and social activities. This program is ideal for participants that plan to travel and change jobs and relocate to different regions.

Job possibilities will depend on your background, work experience, and knowledge of French. A good command of French is required for all front line speaking employment. If you wish to take French lessons, Cultural Embrace can help you organize this before or during your work placement. Job placements also depend on availability. Participants coming for 6 months or longer will generally be more appealing to employers, and those coming for less than 3 months need to be more flexible about what they are prepared to do and where they will go.

The summer is the busiest time of year for seasonal jobs, particularly in the Atlantic and Mediterranean cities. The winter period during holidays are also very popular in the ski resorts of the Alps. Paris offers job possibilities all year round and during hte summer season in tourism-related positions. The best time for job hunting are before the high seasons (ie: March, April, May, October, or November). Participants should avoid arriving in the coast in the middle of the summer season or to the Alps in the middle of the winter season, when all the positions have already been filled. Paris in July-August is deserted by the Parisians and job opportunities are rare.

Visa and age requirements vary based on nationality, and work duration can range from 1-12 months. Please consult with a Cultural Embrace coordinator about the details of your specific country. However, you must be over the age of 18 years old, with an open-mind, and ability to adapt to new situations. Join now so you can have an opportunity of a lifetime to live and work in France!

Discover the Similarities - Share the Differences!

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Hospitality Work in France Offers:

• Practical experience in the hospitality/customer service industry
• An immersion in French language and culture allowing you to practice and improve your French language skills
• An opportunity to broaden your perspective and worldview
• An economical way to live and travel abroad
• An opportunity to participate in and learn local cultural activities (e.g.: art, cooking, crafts, dancing)
• Memorable travel experiences with the chance to see exotic sites you have always dreamed about 
• The ability to make lifelong friends from around the globe
• A valuable work experience that strengthens your resume, exhibiting your diligence, independence, and intercultural experiences 
• A great way to develop and support your self-confidence and interpersonal skills
• A reference from your employer at the end of your term of employment 

Cultural Embrace Offers:

• Pre-Arranged Job Service or Self-Search Job Assistance 
  Cultural Embrace can pre-arrange a job in the hospitality/catering industry prior to departure. Or, opt to organize your own placement(s) with unlimited access to job & housing listings and personalize service from our local reps.
• Compensation
  Pre-Arranged Job Service: You will receive full room and board plus a monthly allowance of 150-200 Euros per month (approximately US$220-$295).  
  Self-Search: Minimum wage in France is 8 Euros/hour. This should be enough for you to live in basic conditions in France.
• Housing & Board
  Pre-Arranged Job Service: Cultural Embrace will pre-arrange and include shared accommodations with other staff members. In addition, full board is provided while on duty.
  Self-Search: Cultural Embrace includes two nights in Paris in a shared hostel with breakfast upon your arrival. You will have access to job and housing listings throughout France.
• Visa Assistance
  Cultural Embrace will assist you with information to obtain a visa (if necessary) from French immigration, but we have no control nor the ability to guarantee government issuance and/or visa availability.  Non European Union citizens are limited to less than 3 months placement.  An invitation to stay longer may be available for a nominal fee of €150.  Payment is made only if extension is approved.
• Arrival Assistance 
  An optional airport pick-up and transfer is available.  
• Arrival Orientation
  You will receive pertinent information regarding local transportation, banking, and safety. You will also receive tips on travel, communications, and social and outdoor activities. Finally, you will be familiarized with the code of conduct and expectations for your new job.  
• Travel Insurance Assistance
  Insurance is required to work for a French company. Cultural Embrace highly recommends travel insurance and offers reduced rates on basic and comprehensive traveler's insurance plans.
• Cultural Embrace Kit
  Useful tips, advice, and information to prepare you for the amazing adventure of living and working abroad.
• Full-time Representation
  Cultural Embrace provides representation in the United States and France prior to, during, and after your placement. 

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• You must be 18-35 years of age (30 years old Australians & Kiwis)
• You must be studying or have a degree in hospitality, tourism, and/or food/beverage industry
• Intermediate or advanced level of French (French lessons available if needed)
• Enjoy working with and serving others in a busy, fast-paced environment
• Open to foreign cultures and living abroad
• High level of responsibility
• Dedication to the full term of commitment

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Self-Search Job  Assistance	US$870
1-2 months	US$1365
3-4 months	US$1780
5-6 months	US$2170

*Please note that prices are subject to change according to exchange rates.
**Application fee credited towards program fee.
***Can$, Aus$, Br£, Euros€ can be accepted with an additional service charge for currency conversion 

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1. Obtain the Work Abroad Application Forms & Procedures documents in one of three ways:

(a) Download the forms:  Work Form (PDF).  Work in France Program Details and FAQ (PDF).

(b) Fill out an online application request form and the forms will be mailed to you within 7-10 days.

(c) Call Cultural Embrace at 1-512-469-9089 or 1-888-214-8570 (US toll-free) to have the forms mailed to you in 7-10 days. 

2. Read the instructions carefully and complete all forms.

3. Submit your completed application packet to: 

CULTURAL EMBRACE
7201 Bill Hughes Road
Austin, TX 78745 USA

Completed packet should include:

• Work Program Application
• Signed Work/Intern Agreement
• Copy of your passport (information page only)
• University/College transcript (official please)
• Copies of diploma or certificates related to field of interest (if applicable)
• Resume/CV (in English and French)
• Cover Letter in English and French describing your field of interest and why you want to work in France
• Proof of French language level/skill 
• Two References: preferably professional and/or character references
• Doctor’s Certificate verifying that you are in excellent mental and physical health
• Copy of Police Clearance (obtainable from your community's local police station) 
• Four 1½" x 2" official passport-size photos, signed on the back
• One smiling full-length photo of yourself
• US$200 non-refundable deposit (credited towards your program fee)

Upon receipt of your application, a Cultural Embrace coordinator will contact you for a 20-30 minutes phone interview. Once we accept you in to our program, you will receive an invoice for the remainder of your program fee. In order for us to contact our local partners to start your placement process, we require at least 50% of your program.

We recommend submitting your application and program fee at least 12-16 weeks prior to your desired start date in order for us to organize and arrange your internship.

*Cultural Embrace requires an expedited application fee for those applying 12 weeks or less before the desired date of departure. Applications received 8-12 weeks prior to desired departure date will be charged $150. Applications received less than 8 weeks before the desired departure date will be charged $250.

For any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at info@culturalembrace.com or you can call us at 1-512-469-9089 or 1-888-214-8570 (US toll-free) .