Housing becomes available on the first day of the program. If you choose to arrive early for any reason, Alma College can refer you to reasonable hotels or youth hostels. This is the option most highly recommended by Alma College due to the daily contact with French language and culture. Adjustment to life in a large foreign city is easier when students have local companionship. Living alone in a large city like Paris can be lonely.
Students have a daily opportunity to speak French with the family.
A frequent complaint of students living alone is that they do not speak enough French with French people. Living with a family is an opportunity to learn about a different culture. Homestays can lead to long-lasting relationships, new friendships, and at the very least, interesting conversation. Students are able to eat healthy, nourishing meals and to sample French cuisine. While living with a family requires adapting to someone else's lifestyle and being considerate and thoughtful, the rewards are considerable and the sacrifices involved are well worth it, especially for a short period of time of 4 - 5 months.