Each year, the Lycée Français International – Samuel Beckett (LFI) in Dublin welcomes students whose parents do not reside in Ireland for one or more full academic years. This program allows students to follow the French curriculum while improving their English proficiency.

Established nearly 20 years ago, this program accommodates around 40 students annually, from Seconde to Terminale, coming from French high schools (in mainland France, DROM-COM, and AEFE French schools abroad). These students share their schooling experience with French residents in Ireland, both temporary and permanent.

Cultural and integration trips are organized throughout the academic year. These outings focus on Irish culture and entertainment, giving students opportunities to explore the country and create memorable experiences together.

LFI provides a host family matching and support service. Our school works with carefully selected Irish host families, ensuring ongoing communication between the host families, students, and parents throughout the year.

The different steps to join the program are:

– Application review – A selection committee evaluates student applications in January.
– Evaluation of applications based on priority criteria.
– Individual interview – Shortlisted candidates and their families participate in an interview to discuss their expectations and needs.
– Candidate ranking – A selection list is established.
– Placement offers are made in order of ranking.

Once the offer is accepted:

– The coordinator finds and assigns a suitable host family.
– The host family and student’s family sign a contract (link to contract). Parents must ensure their child has international insurance coverage for a year abroad and provide proof to the host family.

Students gain independence and discover a new culture in a suitable environment. Living with a host family requires the ability to adapt to this new setting.
A hosted student charter (link to the charter?), signed at the beginning of the year, emphasizes the obligation to respect the rules established by the host family in consultation with the parents. It also reminds students that they represent their school and country at all times.

The contract between families states that the student and their family commit to respecting the host family’s rules of life, while the host family commits to providing a warm, safe, and linguistically enriching environment.

In case of difficulties, the coordinator will initiate a dialogue between the student, the host family, and the parents. This step is essential, and parents or students should not hesitate to seek the coordinator’s support in facilitating adjustments and promoting student integration.

In exceptional cases of persistent issues, and in the best interest of the student, a change of host family may be decided by the school principal, based on the coordinator’s recommendation.

Host Families

Host families are carefully selected through an individual interview, with a strong emphasis on safety and well-beingconditions for the hosted students. Located in residential neighborhoods in the southern suburbs of Dublin, they offer individual rooms and do not host other French-speaking borders at the same time. However, they may accommodate students or university students of other nationalities.

Our host families can be a couple with or without children, or a single person, either working or retired. The average travel time between home and school is 45 minutes to one hour.

Students receive a full board, including a lunch box for lunch at school. The accommodations mainly consist of detached houses.

Some hosted students may initially be surprised by the meal organization, as meals are not necessarily eaten together. Additionally, dinner traditionally takes place from 5:30 PM in some families.

Lunch usually consists of a sandwich, chips, and a piece of fruit. The school cafeteria also offers snacks and a daily special.

For 36 weeks of school (2024-25 rates, subject to change for 2025-26):

 

High school tuition (non-resident)	€9 363
Host family placement service fee	Year 1 – €1 000
	Year 2 – €750
	Year 3 – €500
Host family accommodation	€320 per week
Public transport	Approx. €10 per week
School textbooks	Approx. €300
Travel Costs (estimated) Round-trip to/from France€:	Paris €350   Toulouse €200 Lyon €200
Dublin Airport Transfers (estimated) Service Cost:	Aircoach bus €10 – €15   Unaccompanied minor service €50 – €120 + taxi or Aircoach fare Host family airport pickup €80

The accommodation fees are paid directly to the host family on the first of each month via bank transfer.
The host family’s payment is due for the entire school period, even in case of absence.
Important: The program only covers teaching weeks. Students are not hosted by their host family during the LFI school holidays.

 

Students develop their independence and discover another culture within a suitable framework.

Living with a host family requires a good ability to adapt to a new environment. A host student charter must be signed at the beginning of the year. It emphasizes the necessity of following the rules set by the host family (in consultation with the parents) and reinforces the idea that, in all circumstances, students represent their school and their country.

The contract between families states that the student and their family agree to respect the rules of the host family, and that the host family commits to providing a warm, safe, and language-friendly environment.

In case of integration difficulties, the coordinator will establish a dialogue between the student, the host family, and the parents. This step is essential before considering a host family change.

The service is managed like an “externalized boarding school.” Student or family requests are considered, but the decision to change families is at the discretion of the coordinator and the school principal.

We organize a cultural and integration program on weekends (one activity per trimester). These outings, focused on Irish culture and entertainment, give students the opportunity to discover the country.

Head Office Secretary: Véronique Vervoort

Email : secondaire@lfi.ie