Paid Culinary or Hospitality Internships in the French Alps

AIW’s 3- to 5-month Paid Culinary Internship program in France provides students of Culinary Arts or Hospitality with a great opportunity to gain real work experience, learn a new language, and immerse themselves in a new culture. This program is divided into two phases. Students begin their programs with phase one in Annecy, in the French Alps, where they complete a short language and cultural immersion course to help them adapt to their new surroundings and learn basic French language skills that help them succeed during their internships. Following the language course, students move on to phase two of the program where they complete full-time internships with 3- to 5-star hotels and restaurants (including Michelin awarded) across the French Alps. This program can be done during the winter season (December/April) or the summer season (May/September)

Program Details:

Duration: 3-5 months

Program Fee: From $4,135.00 (round trip to France not included)

Program Start Dates:

2025: 03/03, 04/28, 06/30, 08/04, 09/01 and 10/27 for total beginners in French.

Location:

Program begins in Annecy, France; internships take place in French Alps resorts

Possibility to study French in Annecy then to intern in the South of France too.

Compensation:

~670.00 Euros per month (approximately $700.00 USD)

Typical Application Process:

3-6 months

Phase 1: Language Course

Location: Annecy, France – a city full of life located located on a beautiful lake just a few miles from the Alps.

When students arrive in France, they begin their programs with a specialized language and cultural immersion course. Students participating in a 12-week program will complete two weeks of language courses, and students participating in a 5-month program will complete four weeks of language courses. During this time, students are housed with host families and are provided with two meals per day.

What is Included?

Arrival transfer from train station or airport to host family’s residence in Annecy
20 - 40 group French lessons with one of the top language schools in France
Orientation tour of Annecy
Cooking workshops and cultural activities in Annecy
Accommodation with a host family in Annecy (single room)
Breakfast and dinner provided by the host family
Bus/tram pass
medical & liability insurance for the whole duration of the program

Phase 2: 2-5 Month Internship

Students are placed in the most prestigious 4- to 5-star hotel-restaurants in the French Alps for their internships. During the enrollment process, AIW works directly with students to provide them options of placement based on their interests, qualifications, and available positions amongst partner hotels in France. All hotel placements are vetted by AIW prior to placement to ensure program quality.

What is Included?

Monthly stipend of ~670.00 Euros (approximately ~$700.00 USD)
Full-time internship placement (at least 35 hours per week)
Two days off per week (not necessarily consecutive) to discover and enjoy France
Accommodation in a shared staff apartment or staff hotel room
Minimum of two meals per day provided by the hotel
Two evaluations with students and tutors during the internship
New skills developed by working with great professionals!
Meeting other students from around the world!

Note: Transferring from Annecy to the internship placement is the student’s responsibility. AIW can suggest travel options to their placements and the likely cost. It is the students' responsibility to buy transportation tickets (e.g. train/bus) once in France (approx. 50 Euros or US$53).

What do I receive after completion?

After students complete their internship program requirements and final AIW evaluation, AIW is happy to send them their Certificate of Completion signed by the language school, AIW, and the student’s host company in France.

Other Program Options

Possibility to start the internship in the French Alps and to finish in the South of France or Rouen in Normandy (1h30 by train from Paris).

Additional services available for participants: , additional nights of accommodation with host family or hotel, visa assistance when applicable, Paris and Barcelona tours.

Program Eligibility:

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.*
Be 18 to 55 years old.
US citizen or European Union citizen.**

* For eligibility based on graduation dates, please contact AIW.

** Normally, citizens of the following countries may stay in France for up to 90 days without a visa. Nevertheless, check with the embassy of your destination country to confirm: Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Bahamas, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Dominica, El Salvador, UAE, Guatemala, Honduras, Israel, Japan, Malaysia, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Samoa, San Marino, Seychelles, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Trinidad and Tobago, Uruguay, Venezuela, and British nationals overseas. Please contact AIW for more information.

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