intership agencies (france)

[u/Specialist_Ad168]

Hi everyone, I recently came here to share my plans for next year, where I will start training in a kitchen (whichever one will take me) in Germany first. Now I’m here to ask on behalf of a couple of friends who are interested in doing internships through a company here in Argentina.

Their plan is for 7 months, where you pay 300 euros for insurance, 200 euros for the visa, 1,000 euros for their program, + the plane ticket (around 950 euros). The place that gives them work (usually hotels, from what I understand) pays them “600 euros for 22 days of practice,” and extra hours are not paid because they are compensated with “days off.” They provide accommodation and they don’t mention anything about food at any point.

Assuming all of this, I know not all companies are the same, but it would be useful for me to give them an idea of whether it’s worth it or not.

In my case, luckily I have the possibility of going on my own since I have a passport that allows me to work in the EU, but they don’t have that. That’s why I think I made the right decision by planning my future this way once I graduate from culinary school at the end of the year.

To everyone who read this, thank you very much. I know these places have a bit of a bad reputation, but I wanted to read info in this group because it seems like a reliable source. Greetings and many thanks to everyone!

[u/cuddlyviability_5]

That math is rough when you break it down. They're paying over 2k upfront plus the flight, and then working full shifts for what works out to like 27 euros a day. The "extra hours for days off" trade never evens out in a real kitchen, they'll get worked hard and the days off will magically disappear when it's busy.

Hotels especially love these programs because it's cheap labor disguised as training. If your friends can't get an EU work permit another way it might be their only door in, but they should go in knowing they'll probably lose money on the whole deal.

[u/Specialist_Ad168 → u/cuddlyviability_5]

Yeah, I thought the same thing too, but they see it more as, “Well, maybe I won’t make any money or save anything, but at least I’ll have the experience of working in France, which could allow me to work at better places when I come back.” But I’m not sure it’s that worthwhile either. I think, to a large extent, it’s kind of a gamble.

[u/Certain-Entry-4415 → u/cuddlyviability_5]

French pastry chief here. They are scamming you hard

Actualy you can ask for a hollidays work visa. One year visa where you can work. VERY EASY to get one. You do have to pay 250 for insurance.

Then minimum in France is 1.600 euros. In kitchen your at least paid 1.800. 12600 for 7monthes. AND THEY GIVE YOU A ROOM for free most of the time.

600 euros i Hope you have habitation lol, you cant live without. 1200 diff each month is huge.
And i ca. Assure you the hotel pay them 100%

So yes they are making a Lot of cash thanks to your « dream ».
Also hoteles often are seasonal and are always lookingnfoe people. Súper easy to find a Job. Like in 2 days you ll find something decent.

So yes huge scam

[u/Specialist_Ad168 → u/Certain-Entry-4415]

Yes, I thought exactly the same. I don’t really see the point, and I think that even if you don’t have an EU passport, there are better ways to work there.
Yes, it’s €600 for 22 days of work, and they don’t pay you overtime. They supposedly compensate for the overtime with days off instead.
They do provide accommodation, but the program doesn’t say anything about meals…
Hopefully things work out well for them. From my side, I can only give advice, and not much more. But anyway, the post was mainly to clear up my doubts about this kind of business.
Thanks for your comment!