Ecole Internationale de Mimodrame de Paris
Marcel Marceau


Marcel Marceau Paris International
School of Mimodrama

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GENERAL

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THE SCHOOL

DOCUMENTS

FINANCIAL

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HOUSING

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HOUSING OPTIONS

     Unless you know someone in Paris with whom you can live, you will have to make living arrangements on your own. The Marceau School does not provide or arrange housing for its students.  Your options, then, are renting a room, renting/sharing an apartment, or finding student housing.
     * Apartments - Renting an apartment in Paris can be very difficult. Apartments are small, expensive, and very much in demand. When an apartment is advertised, many people may apply to rent it, and it is the landlord who will make the decision. Landlords may require you to submit proof of income and proof that you have a bank account in order to be considered.
     It may be a good idea to finalize your living arrangements in advance, but since you will probably be going to Paris not knowing whether or not you will stay (until after the auditions), you might want to make arrangements for temporary housing until you have been admitted to the school. During the audition week, you will also have the opportunity to meet the other potential students and perhaps find someone who wants to share an apartment.
    * Student Housing - The French Consulate in your country should have at least a little information about student housing in Paris. They may provide you with a list of foyers, which are residences for students run by various organizations. You will notice that many of these are religious organizations, but not all of them require that you be of a particular religious faith to live there. Foyers may also come with regulations regarding conduct and curfews.
     Another option (one that may also appear on the list the consulate gives you) is the Cité Internationale Universitaire de Paris, or just Cité Universitaire, as it is often called. (See Links below.) This is a huge international student housing complex on the south edge of the city. The Cité is comprised of 37 houses representing different countries, and is home to more than 5000 students at any one time. Students wishing to live there must first apply to the house representing their country, but if there is no house for your country, you may submit a general application for admission to any one of the houses. Rent in these houses varies, as does the type of accommodations, and whether or not there are single rooms or shared rooms available. The Cité offers many useful facilities for students, including a restaurant, and is a wonderful place to form friendships with other students from France and all over the world. See their website for more details.

FINANCIAL AID FOR HOUSING COSTS

     The French government offers financial aid for foreign students specifically for housing costs. This is called an allocation logement. The amount to which you may be entitled depends on many factors, including your rent and your own financial resources. You must first establish residence in Paris before applying for this aid. Once you have done so, contact the Caisse d'Allocations Familiales de Paris (CAF de Paris). (See Links below.) They will tell you to appear in person at the specific office designated for the area in which you live in order to apply. This money is offered freely, and all it will cost you is some paperwork and bureaucracy, so don't miss out on this opportunity.

LANGUAGE

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     Language will be an important part of your experience in Paris and at the Marceau School. In general, the more effort you put into learning the French language the better off you will be.
     The Marceau School welcomes students from all over the world, and there is always a variety of culture and language represented at the school. It is, however, a French school, and as such the classes are taught in French. The school recognizes the diversity of its students, though, and makes an effort to accommodate them. As are many Europeans, most (if not all) of the professors are multi-lingual and will do their best to communicate effectively with each student during the audition week. Monsieur Marceau, in particular, enjoys being able to speak several languages. Once the academic year begins, the school usually offers a language study class once per week for any students who are not fluent in French. Some students will take this class for one year, others for two, but while the professors are lenient at the beginning, they will expect every student to learn French quickly enough and well enough to keep up in class.
     In spite of the fact that most of the classes are focused on the physical, professors' direction must be clearly understood. Instruction is not limited to physical work, though. The study of mime is an intellectual one as well, and the professors will offer much to their students in their comments, observations, and lectures. Much of their wealth of knowledge and experience is transmitted through their words, and a student who lacks proficiency in the language will miss a lot. Students must also be able to effectively communicate with the professors, administration, and their fellow students, so a working knowledge of French is indispensable.
     For those who have previously studied French, there may still be a period of adjustment to living with it as their primary language. And for those who speak English, there is an opportunity to "get by" without really learning French well. I can assure you that a tendency to fall back on English will limit your ability to understand that which may be very important to you (for reasons of education, social interaction, and even personal safety), will limit your ability to effectively express yourself, and will often not be appreciated by the French people. (Contrary to some beliefs, the French do like to speak English. What they don't like is when someone assumes that they will speak it or insists that they do. They greatly appreciate the effort to speak their language—even more so when a foreigner speaks it well.)
     The best way to learn the French language is simply to use it as much as possible. Around the school you might even pick up another language as well!

WAYS TO LEARN FRENCH - Once in Paris, one popular way to learn French is to get involved in a language exchange. You teach a native French-speaker (francophone) your language, and they teach you French. Another option, of course, is formal training. While the Marceau School offers a class, it is only one or two hours per week. If you want to do some serious study you might consider the Alliance Française. (See Links below.) This worldwide organization has institutions both in Paris and in many countries around the world, so you can begin studying before you arrive or once you're already there. The instruction they offer includes short-term intensive study for those who want to immerse themselves in their new language.

LINKS

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This page last updated 24 March 2004