So, I'm 18 years old, and I'll be going to Paris for two weeks in a little less than a year. It will be my first time out of the country, and my first time traveling alone! I am pretty sure I want to take some French classes when I go, just to have a little structure, meet people, and learn more of the beautiful language. I have the option of either staying with a host family (location unknown) or living by myself (I'm thinking of renting an apartment). Which would you guys advise?
Posted by
884 posts
Stay with a host family. You'll learn more about the culture and you'll have the chance to practice what you learn in your French classes. You'll learn French much faster with a host family.
Posted by
Boston, MA, United States
1806 posts
If I was in your position, I'd want to know if the potential host family has any family members that are around your age. If you take some French classes now in advance of your trip, you would then have a base to build on when you get over there and take some more classes (if you have never taken French, you are unlikely to learn more than some rudimentary beginner's French in just 2 weeks). Otherwise, I'd suggest a hostel instead of an apartment. In between classes you'd have the opportunity to meet other travelers in your age group from all over the world and maybe practice some of your French with the hostel staff.
Posted by
Long Beach, USA
252 posts
Have you been taking any French lessons? Other poster is right...in 2 weeks you will learn only very limited French words/sentences. It would be a good idea to get a base before your trip to France. It is indeed a good idea to take classes there, but you will learn a bit more if you do live with a host family. They really cannot tell you where it would be? I would think you would be in a more ''French only'' environment away from Paris....but...Paris is amazing of course.
It depends on your intention and your personnality...You could have rules/curfew other things of the sort with a family. Is this something you are OK with?
Living in a hostel you would have all the freedom possible. And you would meet people who are mostly young...
so you call... :)
Posted by
Toledo, Ohio, US
11613 posts
You don't need to limit yourself to one or the other. You might want to stay with a host family for a week or so, then venture out on your own (apartment or B&B) for the latter part of your time. I don't know if you can get an apartment rental at 18 years of age - I'm sure other posters will know.
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA
1068 posts
A host family is a great idea - but it's important that they are compatible with your ideas of what you want to do in Paris. If you can't come and go as you please, it might hamper your style. I've stayed with host families (as a teenager when I was 15 and 16) and some were awesome, while others.... not so much. Families with kids my age were more fun, in general.
As for an apartment, that's a great idea, except it doesn't really facilitate meeting people. You'll save money on food, but if you don't have a roommate, and you're not really outgoing, you run the risk of spending a lot of enforced alone time. I'd suggest a hostel, where you will meet oodles of people from all over, get to practice your French, and have a blast. It will be cheap, too, and if it has a kitchen, you're set.