Special requests will be accommodated to the extent possible, but cannot be guaranteed. If students submit their housing questionnaire by the announced deadline, they will receive contact information for the family with whom they will be living before they leave the United States. All other students will be informed of their placement upon arrival. Although living with a family is recommended, IES offers the option of staying in a Foyer, a dormitory-style residence for students who are seeking more independent accommodations. Students who live in a foyer receive a small stipend to use toward purchasing meals.
Most foyers offer residents access to a cafeteria, laundry room, reading room, and television room.
Each floor typically consists of single rooms, common bathroom facilities, and a common kitchen. Students who have lived abroad before or who have friends or family in France may wish to coordinate their own housing. However, IES strongly encourages students to participate in its housing program and accepts no responsibility for other arrangements. Students who elect independent housing must notify the IES Chicago Admissions Office in writing no later than the application deadline for their program. If timely notification is received, students will be eligible to have a housing allocation deducted from their program fee.