I have been getting emails with questions about my experience at Ferrandi, living in Paris and doing an internship here. Instead of emailing everyone similar answers back, I’ll try to sum it up in this post so you can all read it!
If there are questions missing, feel free to comment below.
Living and going to school in Paris:
How did you find an apartment? Any advise for me?
So this answer, is unfortunately not really a helpful answer for you. After moving twice and soon for a third time, you would think I’m the expert by now. I am not (in packing my stuff, yes). My way of finding a place to stay, is not really a method.
My first apartment, was the apartment of the neighbor of my far-away family just outside of Paris. The guy that lived there, was going somewhere for a year and so I got lucky to be able to rent that place. The second place where I’m living now, is a room that one of my schoolmates rents. She went outside of Paris for her stage. She is coming back to Paris so I will move out again(this was not the plan).
This time I will move to an apartment of someone who I met to have some “language exchange”. So basically, all the places I move to are because I found the right sources at the right moment…
Of course I tried the conventional method of looking for a place (online or agent), but the places I found this way couldn’t “win” from the places of the people I know. Sorry that I can’t give you any good advise, I suppose you should just try the ordinary way.
How much do I have to pay for an apartment?
This totally depends on the location and the size. If you want to live very close to school(Ferrandi in the 6ème), you will pay around €1000 per month for a small place. Living somewhat further but still at walking distance of 30 min, probably around €800 for a small studio. Living further (take the metro) maybe €600-700? Living with flatmates, outside of Paris or both can be cheaper.
How much do I have to pay for transport?
If you are under 26 you can get the ImagineR. This is 36 euros per month for zone 1-2 (inside Paris) and you have to get this for a year. If you are older, you can take a Navigo card of 65 euros per month or just use single tickets. You can buy the Navigo per year, month or week.
Can I find a parttime job?
Probably. Not sure what kind of job, but I wouldn’t know why not.
Internship:
Some info about my stage, I will intern for 6 months at a big hotel in Paris. I work at the restaurant section and I really like it so far. I get paid more than the minimum and I work a regular office job hours workweek. I start at 8 and finish around 16h, I get a lunch break of 1h and I get the lunch provided. I also don’t have to wash my clothes, which is awesome.
Do you choose the internship yourself?
You make a list of preferences and your chef will decide if those places are right for you. After that, your chef will set up an interview for you with the company. It is up to you to get accepted.
For how long is the internship/stage?
Some places only take interns 2 months (think big names). For the Ferrandi program however, you need to do 3 months minimum for the diploma. The stage can be maximum 6 months. In the end, you are the one to decide if you want to do just 3 months or go for the 6 months.
Do you get paid for the internship? And how much?
If you do just two months, you will work for free. If interning longer than 2 months, they are obligated by the law to pay you €436 per month.
How many hours do you work? Do you get food? Clothing?
My day is only 8h with an 1h lunch break. This is not a regular schedule to expect. Most of my classmates work 10h or even up to 15h a day. Yes, I can get lunch at my work. However, not all places provide lunch. Because I work at a hotel, there is also a “lingerie”. This means I get clean uniforms and don’t wash them myself. For most pastry shops, you will have to do this yourself. For the restaurants, I’m not sure.
Hope this information helps you!
