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Volunteering in France

© Jonathan Griffiths

This week we will travel to a diverse land that has much to offer the traveller. From the golden beaches in the south to the provincial region of Provence, from the bustling cities in the north to the mellow Loire Valley, France really has it all. This is reflected in the fact that it attracts more foreign tourists than any other country.

So, if you want to stay in France for longer than a few weeks, what are your options? European Union nationals are lucky: Those who speak adequate French, under E.U. regulations, are eligible to apply for any job. For the rest of us, however, there are still quite a number of opportunities.

If you want to find out more information about France, try looking at Cyndi's List for France. Here you will be able to click on links to information about France's government, history, people, and culture. Another good place to learn more about France is at France.com. At this site, in addition to the above information, one can also learn about French food and check out the latest French news.

A good place to start finding work possibilities is at the Euro Volunteer Information Pool. This site lists a number of volunteer initiatives. They are organised according to the sector with which they deal--labor market, social system, improving understanding between generations, and improving international relations. The requirements for placements vary and so details should be checked carefully.

Another great site at which you can explore the possibilities is Volunteer Abroad.com. At this site, you can explore volunteer placements worldwide. The scroll-down menu divides France into 2 parts: Paris and the rest. Be sure to check this site regularly since it is often updated.

MESSAGE Mother Support Group offers support and contact for English-speaking mothers who live in and around Paris. They offer volunteers a number of opportunities including positions as area leaders, project coordinators, speakers, and newsletter journalists.

International Volunteer Program offers volunteer opportunities for Americans who are interested in visiting France. They offer a variety of placements. These include work in children's summer camps, homeless shelters, hospitals, and other social service environments. The placements take place in all areas of France. Participants must be reasonably proficient in French. Take a look at their web site for more details about the programs available.

Council Travel offers a unique way in which you can explore other countries. Through their short-term International Volunteer Projects, you can join in with about 20 other volunteers to work, within a local community, on a service project. The projects only last for 2-4 weeks. However, the projects offer a great way to get an insight into a country whilst having fun and promoting international cooperation.

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