Interested in booking a trip with CEI but still have a few questions?
Don’t hesitate to contact our team by sending them a message with our contact form.
Our advisors are available Monday to Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
You can also find more details below about how our trips are organized.
General questions about all programs
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Who is CEI and what is its role of their local teams in France ?
CEI (Centre d’Échanges Internationaux) is a non-profit organization with over 70 years of experience in youth mobility. CEI representatives coordinate the programs locally and ensure that foreign students are welcomed safely and culturally integrated.
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What programs do local teams help and support ?
Linguistic, academic, cultural tours, and homestay programs.
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What should the host family do if a student has allergies or dietary restrictions ?
Follow CEI instructions and inform the corresponding coordinator if needed.
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Who should be contacted at CEI in case of a problem ?
The CEI local coordinator. For any emergency: use the 24/7 emergency line.
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What if a student is sick or injured ?
Contact the coordinator. For any emergency, call 112 and then inform CEI.
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Are students insured ?
Yes, foreign students are fully covered & CEI provides basic medical and liability insurance certificates.
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Can host families take students on a weekend trip ?
Yes, foreign students share all activities and trip with their host family.
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Can student travels independently without the host family ?
Yes, but this needs to be fully approved by CEI and an official authorization from biological parents is requested.
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Can families keep the student’s passport or money ?
No, students must keep their own documents and money.
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What if a student refuses to attend class or activity ?
Attending classes and program activity is compulsory. An absence has to be officially justified.
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What if the student breaks house rules ?
Stay calm and contact CEI. Let them handle the situation.
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What if the student loses his/her passport or ID card ?
Contact CEI. They will assist with embassy procedures.
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How do students usually spend their days during linguistic summer programs ?
Morning: classes; afternoon: activities; evening: with host families.
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What if a student arrives very late or early ?
Be available and flexible. CEI will inform you of the exact time.
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What is the difference between high school and linguistic summer programs ?
High school = long-term school attendance.
Linguistic = short stay + activities. -
What if the student runs out of money ?
Inform CEI. Parents may transfer funds directly or via CEI.
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Can families host a student who has a very weak level of French ?
Yes. Some students arrive in France with little knoweldge of French. Families are encouraged to speak slowly, be patient, and use simple vocabulary.
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What is the local team’s role during a summer language holiday day ?
Families host students in the evening and weekend. During the day, CEI manages lessons and excursions. Communication between both sides is essential.
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What information should local teams give to students before arrival ?
Prepare a welcome message with house rules, curfew, basic expectations, and emergency contacts. CEI will provide a checklist if needed.
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What to do if the student doesn’t show up at a meeting point ?
Wait 15 minutes, then contact the CEI coordinator or emergency line.
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What if the student has a disability or special medical condition ?
You will be informed before arrival. Follow instructions and ask CEI if unsure.
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What happens at the end of the student’s stay ?
CEI will inform families of departure times. Make sure the student is packed and ready.
Academic year program
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What are the possible duration for an academic program to France ?
You can apply for a duration starting from 2 weeks up to 10 months. French school year from September to June.
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Where are the students accommodated ?
In a French host family or at the school dorm in case of boarding school program.
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How are the host families selected ?
They are fully screened by CEI staff ( visit, interview ) and police checked.
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What is the motivation of the families for hosting ?
Discover a new culture and help a student to learn the language.
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Can student choose their placement location ?
Yes, it is possible in the frame of the select program in fee-paying host families.
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Can student apply with specific food restriction ?
Yes, it is possible and CEI will offer you the adapted program.
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Do student pay their lunches at school ?
No, CEI pays for these expenses as well as tuition fees for private schools.
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Do student pay for the school bus card to commute to school ?
Yes, they do, it is at the charge of the student.
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Do student choose their subjects at school ?
No, they do not choose. The only choose 2 and then 3 major subjects during the 2 last years of high school.
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Who explain the program to the student ?
CEI local representative explains the program to the student within the 10 days of her/his arrival to France.
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Can student continue to practice their sport in France ?
Yes, they can either apply for the sport school program or join a sport club as an extra curricular activity.
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Do CEI offer optional fun trips during the academic program ?
Yes, there are optional fun trips : Paris in October, ski in the Alps in February and South of France in June.
