Year Abroad insurance & practicalities

[SalGoodwoman]

My DD is due to go to a French city this autumn. She's had some but not much advice from her university, and been in touch with her British Council placement.

She's still working on finding accommodation.

So my questions, for those who have had kids do an MFL year abroad, did you get travel/ medical/ personal items/ house contents insurance for them? Was that necessary? We've checked with our normal travel & household insurance providers and they don't have anything that seems to fit the bill for living abroad for 9 months.

Did your DC open a local bank account, and was that easy? (Bearing in mind it will be France, aren't they notoriously bureaucratic and complicated?)

My DD is anxious but nature, so I thought I'd try to help and find some answers from this font of knowledge, thank you :) Any advice will be gratefully received.

DD didn’t go to France but I think she kept and used her GB bank account. Also these days Monzo is popular. Or similar.

She had uni accommodation at first uni lined up and applied for it 6 months before she went. Got first choice. The second uni: she arrived 4 days early and viewed a couple of rooms where she had contacted landlords. Chose one and moved in. She stayed in a small hotel whilst waiting. Sometimes parents do this with Dc.

So DD needs to find out how to get accommodation. How far in advance? What about viewings? She needs to be proactive as no one else is responsible for this. Has she a contact who can advise at the school in France?

Ws took out a “backpacker” type insurance but don’t forget phone and laptop will need to be covered. Tailor insurance to needs plus they will travel home occasionally. So ensure this is covered too. It’s a wonderful experience and she will gain a lot from it.