Location
  • France
    • Montpellier
Length
10 to 28 weeks
Industry
Culinary Arts Hospitality Tourism

Program Details

Compensation
Paid
Timeframe
Year Round
Housing
Apartment Host Family Hotel
Language
French
Weekly Hours
35
Age Min.
18
Age Max
55
Qualifications
  • Must be enrolled as a student in a culinary arts or hospitality program or be a recent graduate of a culinary arts or hospitality program.
  • 18 to 55 years old
  • US citizen or European Union citizen. US Participants completing a program longer than three months will be required to apply for a visa. EU participants may be exempt. For other nationalities, please check with CICD.
  • Students or recent graduates, with an educational background in hospitality, culinary arts, French language or tourism.

Pricing

Starting Price
$3,485 USD
Price Details
$250 nonrefundable enrollment fee, arrival pick-up in Montpellier (train station or airport), transfer to host family residence, 13 nights homestay (single room, half board basis (breakfasts and dinners included)), 2-week French language course (40 lessons in total), a 6-month e-learning platform, a 10-use metro pass, Montpellier orientation tour, full day excursion, cooking workshops, other cultural activities in the afternoons, and an 8- to 10-week Paid Culinary Internship in France (with French insurance included).
What's Included
Accommodation Activities Airport Transfers Meals Travel Insurance
What's Included (Extra)

6 months access to French e-learning platform specially designed for CICD participants starting two months before departure

What's Not Included
Airfare Domestic Airfare SIM cards Visa Wifi
Feb 20, 2020
Jan 14, 2020

About Program

Join CICD’s 3-7 month Culinary or Hospitality Internship program in France for an amazing and life changing experience. Begin your adventure with a short language and cultural immersion course in Montpellier, Southern France and enjoy the breathtaking views of the Mediterranean Sea. Once you have adapted to your new surroundings and have learned basic French language skills, participants move into the second phase of the program. A full time internship with 3- to 5-star hotels and gastronomic restaurants (some awarded Michelin stars!) across the south of France. Positions offered are generally in the kitchen (savory or pastry), restaurant or reception.

Video and Photos

Program Highlights

  • Learn French and the French way of life by living and working in France! Program has flexible start dates year-round
  • Phase one: 2-4 week specialized language and cultural immersion course in Montpellier
  • Phase two: 8 to 26 week Internship in the French Alps or Southern France
  • CICD offers the option to combine multiple programs in different European countries
  • Compensation: 578.00 Euros per month (approximately $660.00 USD)

Program Reviews

9.57 Rating
based on 7 reviews
  • 9-10 rating 85.71%
  • 7-8 rating 14.29%
  • 5-6 rating 0%
  • 3-4 rating 0%
  • 1-2 rating 0%
  • Growth 9.6
  • Support 9.6
  • Fun 9
  • Housing 7
  • Safety 9.3
Showing 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
Default avatar
Michael
10/10
Yes, I recommend this program

Life Changing Experience

I was in the program in 2014, This was the best choice of my life i always tell people to reach out for this experience. I came back from France and worked in multiples Michelin Star restaurants ... Two years after my return i was diagnosed with cancer, i am now in remission and now own my own catering company. If i never would have followed my dream i don’t know where i would be present day thank your for the experience and opportunity!

11 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Melinda
10/10
Yes, I recommend this program

Internship in Avignon, France

I would definitely recommend this program if you want to travel and experience a different culture. There’s so many experiences I had that were honestly once in a lifetime. I loved meeting people from around the world at the language program, and doing activities with them too. I learned a lot about food and different techniques while working in the kitchen. It was also a chance to be very independent which was very liberating! I would recommend you save some extra money to eat at a Michelin start restaurant because there are so many over here!

What would you improve about this program?
Stable WiFi to communicate and use internet. I was aware of this before the program but my advice would be to get a SIM card when you get there and phone bill will be much cheaper!
12 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Madeleine
9/10
Yes, I recommend this program

True French Baking

I had a great time in France, I'm kind of an introvert so having preplanned activities that we went to with the French school was really helpful for me to get to know my partner who would be working with me at our placement restaurant. Our chef and the staff who worked with us were all very nice and friendly. Pushing to go through this program was one of the best choices I've ever made. Training with my chefs made me so much better, the experience I gained looks amazing on my resume, and the life I lived in France was wonderful.

Most of my immediate family took the time to make their way over and visit me and it was so much fun showing them around and showing them what I had learned.

What would you improve about this program?
My particular program meant that I had to check in with my school weekly but we frequently lost service, meaning that I was terrified I wasn't going to be able to turn in my assignments. I had no data or wifi to let them know I would be late and being late without notice was grounds to terminate my last semester. Any locations need verifiable connection to internet. And it needs to be consistent. Ours was told that we would have wifi but it wasn't consistent.
13 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Brady
10/10
Yes, I recommend this program

A Memorable and Amazing Experience!

All the time spent in the kitchen was absolutely great. I learned how to create better dishes and gained knowledge of how to combine ingredients. I got to work on my knife skills, plating and production.

During the language program, the experience with the host family was amazing and all of the teachers at the school were very friendly.

The services that CICD provided are very good. The program was nothing short of exceptional and something I'll always remember.

14 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Nicoletta
10/10
Yes, I recommend this program

Great Experience

If I had the opportunity to do it again, I'll do it in a heartbeat. One of the most rewarding times in my life. I wish I could live in France! Everyone was so friendly, the staff plus my roommates. I had so much fun not only learning new cooking techniques but travelling the country and visiting different sites as well as sampling the great french cuisine. I have friends for life now from all over the world. And also a lifetime of great memories

What would you improve about this program?
I wish I could have gotten a job offer
10 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Liudmila
8/10
Yes, I recommend this program

Internship in Marseille

Wonderful experience in 3 michelin star restaurant. Never forget it! Its give a lot of opportunity for the future. Learn a lot about food and management. Really recommend to take a internship to this place to everyone. Your life gonna change extremely quick n the good way! Thanks a lot to everyone who's connecting to this. ( restaurant stuff, CICD and of course Gerald Passedat) I wish all the best to future participants who is planning to go to this place wich change your life forever!

What would you improve about this program?
Little more communication between restaurant and CICD about contract.
13 people found this review helpful.
Shelby
10/10
Yes, I recommend this program

Best Adventure I’ve Ever Taken

This program has changed my life for the better! My internship led me to an amazing hotel and chef who helped me develop my skills and confidence in the kitchen. After my internship was up I was offered a position at the hotel as an employee, things have only gone up from there. The help and quick response from the CICD team was awesome- Valerie Lecamus helped me with my internship process and still keeps in touch to see how I’m doing. Of all the cool and crazy things I’ve tried- this program and flying to a new country by myself to work was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.

What would you improve about this program?
More detail on housing. My housing was provided from the hotel- staff apartments. They were great cause everyone who lived there worked in the hotel, so a great way to meet people you’ll see everyday. But they were in very bad condition, out of CICD’s control, but a better idea of what was to be expected would have been better.
13 people found this review helpful.

Questions & Answers