Incoming Cohort to France from South Asia

As an international student, there are a zillion things one needs to prepare for, be ready for. While most of the things are easily accessible online, including the visa checklists, travel checklists (if not, DM me and I will share) but here is one of the most important things you need to take care of.

LEARN THE LANGUAGE.

Learning French can offer a wide range of benefits, both personal and professional. Here are some compelling reasons to consider:

1. Cultural Enrichment: There is no better way to gel well into a culture than knowing the language, even if you start with the basics. A1 is a definite recommendation when you are heading to France for studies.

2. Career Opportunities: A Mckinsey report once mentioned, an avg consultant speaks 3 global languages, besides English, learning French will open doors for you internationally mainly in France, Canada, Northern Africa etc.

3. Global Communication & Travel: More than 300 mn people speak French, adding yourself to the list opens numerous possibilities for a better travel experience to the above zones.

4. Personal Satisfaction: Being a south asian, one already speaks atleast 2-3 languages, but having the ability to speak one more, and that too a foreign language will mature you as an individual and boost your confidence, not just the CV.

5. How to learn: French is the second most widely spoken language in the world, and studying in France provides an excellent opportunity to learn or improve your French language skills. You can take French language classes at your university or attend language exchange programs to practice speaking with native speakers.

You can also start learning with the following options near yourself:

• Youtube: Begin with youtube, its free, easy and as per your own availability, google any channel and get enrolled
• Duolingo: Accepted at several top tier unis across the globe, Duolingo is easy, accessible and can help you prep for A1 level before you arrive in France
• Personal Tutors: There are several personal and private coaching centers, including Edvisory linguistics, to learn, simply Google and connect with them
• Alliance fran?aise: Officially the best place to get to the highest level of French including globally acceptable testing standards

Overall, life in France as an international student can be exciting and rewarding. With its rich cultural heritage, vibrant student life, and excellent education system, France is a great place to study and live. But even greater when you know the language.

Imagine a tourist coming to India and greeting you with 'Namaste' or 'Salam', personal efforts and gestures go a long way. Make sure, you are the one people look upto.

Allez et faites-le maintenant!