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Are you a university student looking to spend a period of residence abroad in France? The Year Abroad opportunities below are ideal for students who need to spend time in France (1 or 2 semesters, or shorter periods) as part of a university course and make a difference.
If you feel called to explore the possibility of long-term service in France, please contact us for more information. We’d love to pray and discuss the opportunities with you – providing help and advice for considerations like home church support, financial support, French-language skills, culture stock and other practicalities in relation to serving in France.
A Rocha France welcomes volunteers, particularly students or graduates with a background in biology or environmental sciences, for placements of one or two semesters at one of their field centres. There are also opportunities for volunteers with skills in construction, maintenance, gardening and more... fluent French is not necessarily always required.
Located in the French Alps, Champfleuri is open year-round welcoming church groups on the weekends and organizing its own retreats for children, youth, adults and families during the four seasonal school breaks. Most of the camps are in French, but “TED” (Totally English Days) is run in English. There are many opportunities to offer your services as a volunteer for any length of service.
A general site providing details of various Christian holidays in France. Ideal for anyone wanting to learn/improve their French and get to know French people. For volunteering opportunities, see http://centres-chretiens-vacances.org/chercher-camp-centre-gite/benevolat-et-service
This 6-month Bible School in the Alps is part of Torchbearers International which started at Capernwray in the UK. The programme is designed for 18-30 year-olds. All courses are in French, so a good working knowledge of French is required. As part of the application process, you will be given a test that will help the organizers evaluate your level of French.
Located 15 minutes from the heart of Paris, the Institut Biblique de Nogent-sur-Marne is looking for French or international student volunteers for one or two semesters to provide various services (setting up meals, cleaning, gardening, maintenance of the premises...) for 20 hours per week. For non-French speakers, basic notions of French are required. In exchange, the volunteer-student is welcomed with full board on campus, participates in the community life of the Institute (worship, prayer meetings, outings...) and benefits from biblical and theological courses.
InterAction organise bilingual Christian activity holidays in France and Belgium for young people from across Europe. InterAction are always happy to receive applications to serve as a leader on one of their camps from British Christians with a heart to serve young people. Several France Mission supporters have been involved in the holidays over recent years and all have really enjoyed the experience.
LPO is Spring Harvest's holiday park in the Vendée. They recruit people for a range of roles. If you're fluent in English, passionate about your Christian faith, energetic and love working with children or young people (or have other skills), click the link on the right to find out more. Team members who are offered a role for four weeks or more are eligible for financial sponsorship.
Le Pré-Saint-Gervais (generally known as Le Pré) is located just outside the north-eastern edge of the Paris city boundary. The Perspectives church here, led by pastor Nathan Millet, would be happy to welcome a student for a short-term mission trip or a longer period (6 or 9 months) to be part of a small but growing community, and to get involved with children's work, the church gospel choir, evangelism, discipleship, etc. Candidates would need to have good people skills and a reasonable level in French. If you’re a UK student and are interested in this opportunity, please contact Paul Cooke (paulcooke@francemission.org) for an application form.
Le Rivage is a relatively young church (planted in 2014). The project emphasises bold, energetic discipleship. New team members will quickly find themselves challenged in terms of serving and sharing their faith. The church can offer opportunities relating to children's work, secretarial work, communications, and discipling young believers. People willing to provide au-pair services are also needed to help team members who have young children. Basic French language skills are desirable. A professional teacher of French as a foreign language is available in the church to help develop French-language competency, but as this is the person's livelihood, she needs to charge for this service. If you’re a UK student and are interested in this Year Abroad opportunity, please contact Paul Cooke (paulcooke@francemission.org) for an application form.
Nantes is a city in western France with a large student population. The established Perspectives church in the city's Boissière district, led by pastor Patrice Alcindor, would be interested in having an English-speaking volunteer for one or two semesters to help especially with the church's international student ministry. If you’re a UK student and are interested in this Year Abroad opportunity, please contact Paul Cooke (paulcooke@francemission.org) for an application form.
OM France organise various short-term opportunities; click on the link on the right to see what's available. Although the ability to speak French is helpful, it's not essential for most opportunities as there will be at least one French speaker to help with translation. OM also offer "Customised Group Outreaches" in France for groups of 5 or more people: see https://www.uk.om.org/france-customised-group-outreaches.
Would you like to serve in a real Parisian Church? France Mission has a small church in the 17th arrondissement (L’Église Protestante Évangélique de Paris Cardinet). We have an intergenerational congregation and would welcome short-term students to join in our church life. Apart from the Sunday morning worship service, there is an evening service aimed mainly at young professionals, and a weekly Bible Study. We also have close contact with the local Christian Union. If you’re a UK student and are interested in this Year Abroad opportunity, please contact Paul Cooke (paulcooke@francemission.org) for an application form.
The Perspectives church in Tours would be happy to integrate Year Abroad students as part of their activities in various ways. Students would need to have enough French to be able to communicate and to have a reasonably outgoing personality. Tours is a nice city with plenty of things going on for students through Navigators, GBU and PULSE. Students would need to find their own accommodation. If you’re a UK student and are interested in this Year Abroad opportunity, please contact Paul Cooke (paulcooke@francemission.org) for an application form.
Vandœuvre-lès-Nancy is a town in eastern France, close to the border with Luxembourg and Germany. The local Perspectives church is very cosmopolitan, embracing various cultures from Europe, Africa and Asia. Pastor Jean-ho Park is open to welcoming volunteers interested in exploring pastoral ministry or participating in church activities. There is also a local ministry affiliated with Youth For Christ called Resperance. This organisation focuses on reaching out to children and youth through activities and tutoring in certain neighbourhoods, particularly those with predominantly Muslim families. Pastor Park and Resperance look forward to welcoming individuals ready to embark on a transformative journey in the heart of this dynamic community. If you're interested, please contact Paul Cooke (paulcooke@francemission.org) for an application form.
YWAM’s French branch offers various opportunities to serve (from a couple of weeks to 3 months), for both French and English speakers, in various locations.
