Our oldest grandson received his student Visa in the mail today. It was the last piece needed for him to spend his first year in college studying in France.
When he was in middle school, he spent six weeks as an exchange student, living with a family near Versailles. His family has also hosted two French students who came to study at his high school.
Will loves French and is fluent. He spoke French with the students they hosted and has continued to correspond with them. One recently joined the French Foreign Legion! He also is a big history buff. He will be studying through an American Studies Abroad program and his classes will be a Catholic University. My wife, who is a college professor, vetted the program. It gets high marks and his credits will be accepted at American colleges when he continues his studies.
He will be living in the heart of Paris with 3 other students. They will be in an apartment in a building that has families, it won't be students only housing.
Obtaining a French student Visa has been an adventure. You have to provide a transcript from your latest school, an acceptance letter to the Studies Abroad program for the year, an address in France and in the US, proof of transportation both to and from France and a notarized document showing you have enough funds to cover normal living expenses.
Tuition and housing costs are in line with medium priced out of state colleges. He has worked long and hard to earn this opportunity, including working all summer to earn living expenses. He is very excited and realizes what an opportunity this is. He has the maturity to study hard. He leaves mid-September, flying to London for a three day orientation, then on to Paris via Eurostar.