Student services in France can be overwhelming to navigate alone, especially for international students arriving for the first time. Abroad Buddies provides complete support to help you settle, adapt, and thrive during your studies. From visa guidance to housing assistance, our mission is to make your transition smooth and stress‑free.

What We Offer

Moving to France involves paperwork, appointments, and strict deadlines. We guide you through:

Bank account setup

Student visa applications

Campus France procedures

OFII/Prefecture appointments

Health insurance registration

Services built for student life

We’ve been international students too — so we built the support system we wish had existed.

🏠

Housing Help

Finding accommodation abroad is stressful. We guide you through the whole process — from listings to lease-signing — so you arrive with a place to call home.

✓ Curated listings in your city
✓ Contract review & red-flag alerts
✓ Tips on deposits & tenant rights
✓ Roommate matching support

📋https://www.morningcroissant.fr/

Visa & Admin Guidance

Bureaucracy shouldn’t block your adventure. We break down the paperwork — residency permits, CAF, student visas — into clear, actionable steps. One more of ours student services in France:

✓ Country-specific visa guides
✓ Document checklist & templates
✓ CAF & housing allowance help
✓ 1:1 admin support sessions

🤝https://france-visas.gouv.fr/en/etudiant

Buddy Matching

Get paired with a local or experienced international student who’s been exactly where you are. Ask anything, get real answers from someone who truly gets it.

✓ Matched by city & university
✓ Cultural & language support
✓ Pre-arrival & on-arrival help
✓ Community events & meetups

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City Guides & Tips

Beyond the tourist spots — our guides reveal where students actually eat, study, and spend their weekends. Insider knowledge, city by city.

✓ Neighborhood breakdowns
✓ Budget-friendly local spots
✓ Transport & getting around
✓ Safety tips & emergency info

Start today

Ready to begin your journey? Get started with our student services in France and make your transition smooth and stress‑free.

🌍 → 🇫🇷

From our community

Real words from students we’ve had the chance to help.

“

I arrived in Paris knowing no one and speaking little French. My Abroad Buddy helped me find an apartment and handle my CAF application in under a week. Life-changing.

👩🏽

Amara K.

Exchange student, Dakar → Paris

“

The visa guide alone saved me from making three expensive mistakes. Clear, step-by-step, and actually up-to-date. Nothing else online came close.

👨🏻

Matteo R.

Master’s student, Milan → Lyon

“

I was going on Erasmus and had no clue where to start. Within two days I had a buddy in Barcelona, a neighbourhood shortlist, and a checklist. Genuinely incredible service.

👩🏼

Léa M.

Erasmus student, Paris → Barcelona

Ready to start your
adventure stress-free?

Join hundreds of students who arrived prepared, connected, and confident.🤝 Find your buddy today

FAQ

Common questions

Can’t find your answer? Reach out — we’re always happy to help. Is Abroad Buddies free to use?

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Our core resources — city guides, visa checklists, and community forums — are completely free. Premium services like 1:1 buddy matching and personalised admin support may have optional paid options. Check our pricing page for details. When should I sign up — before or after my acceptance?

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As early as possible! Many students sign up right after their acceptance letter. The sooner you’re connected, the more time we have to help you prepare — housing fills up fast in most student cities. Which cities and countries do you cover?

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We currently cover 15+ cities across Europe and beyond, including Paris, Lyon, Barcelona, Berlin, Amsterdam, London, and more. We’re growing our network — if your city isn’t listed, get in touch and we’ll do our best to help. How are buddies selected and trained?

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Every buddy is a verified current or former international student who has lived in your destination city. They go through a short onboarding to ensure they can provide accurate, up-to-date information. We match based on university, city, language, and your specific needs. Can I become a buddy myself?

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Absolutely! If you’ve studied abroad or are currently an international student, we’d love to have you. It’s a great way to help others, build your network, and even earn recognition hours. Apply via our community page.

Student services in France