Student Guide Program in France

The Student Guide Program in France is the opportunity of a lifetime to travel, meet long-lasting friends, and teach people from around the world about Canadian history in both official languages. The program is managed by Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC).

Students from across Canada live and work in France for four-month periods as interpretive guides at the Canadian National Vimy Memorial and the Beaumont-Hamel Newfoundland Memorial.

Qualifications

To be eligible for employment as a Student Guide you must:

• Be enrolled in full time post-secondary studies;
• Be proficient in both official languages (English and French) and possess excellent communication skills;
• Have experience in one of the following areas:
  
  
  • Historic Sites / Museum Interpretation
  • Tour Guide
  • Park Interpreter
  • Interpretation of Nature
  • Guide-Interpreter
• Possess a valid Standard First Aid Certificate and a valid Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Certificate;
• Possess a valid international driving permit (automobile).

If you are selected, you must:

• Be willing to work in France for approximately four months;
• Accept employment at one of the memorial locations giving guided tours in battlefield terrain and in underground tunnels, sometimes in adverse weather conditions;
• Assume cost of accommodations and meals while in France
  (Note: The current rate of pay is $11.68 Cdn/hr plus a daily living allowance of $24.00 Cdn per day, payable for seven days a week.
• Assume initial cost of return airfare to France
  (Note: Eligible students will be reimbursed up to a maximum of $600 for their airfare costs);
• Obtain a passport;
• Make provisions for health insurance costs;
• Obtain a security clearance and written proof of full-time student status at an accredited institution.

How to Apply

To apply for the Student Guide Program you must:

• Complete the on-line Federal Student Work Experience Program (FSWEP) Application for Employment
• Provide a written résumé which describes your academic qualifications and highlights your previous work experience as it relates to employment in historic site/museum interpretation, as a guide-interpreter, in public relations or as a tour guide.
• Provide two letters of reference from persons not related to you, but who are familiar with you either in an academic or an occupational capacity. References should emphasize your ability to work as a team member.

Guides are hired for the following periods:

• January - May
• April - August
• August - November

To obtain an application for the Student Guide Program in France, please visit the Federal Student Work Exchange Program website.