We've all been there, but very few people actually decide to do something about it. I, for one, was sick of my 9-to-5 (sometimes to 7, 8 or 9) desk job and decided it was time to pack up my bags and go to where I've dreamed of living since I was a child: Paris.

As if the decision to move wasn't hard enough on its own, actually making the arrangements to come here was an even bigger nightmare. Do I need a visa? Short stay? Long stay? Student? How do I find housing? How can I work? Can I get a metro pass? etc. etc. etc. And what if I'm just visiting and don't speak French?

While I found some answers (after months of research) they were not everything I wanted to hear, but I'm going to help all of you looking to travel/move/live/work in France by passing on the things I've accumulated up until my departure and now while living here.

It is now law that every American living, visiting or even traveling through France must obtain a visa PRIOR to departure. Having said that, they never looked at my visa, only my passport. But if you want to live here, work here or will be a student, you'll need a visa.

Getting a VISA

All visas to come to France are issued by the French government, given to American citizens via respective consulates in various regions (i.e. the consulate in DC actually serves Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania, West Virginia ... so even if you have a consulate in your city/state it may not be where you get your visa. Getting tricky already.)

To find out where to apply for your visa, click here: http://www.ambafrance-us.org/spip.php?rubrique=2

There are a few different kinds of French visas:

The airport transit visa (A) allows transit through the international zone of a French airport without entering the Schengen space and France.

The transit visa (B) allows transit for no more than 5 days through France and other Schengen countries en route to another non-Schengen country.

The short stay visa © allows visits to France and the others Schengen states for tourism, business or family visits, up to 90 days.

The circulation visa © is a short stay visa valid for at least a year. It is mainly issued for business visits in France.

The long stay visa (D) allows you to stay in France for more than 3 months, for example to study, work, retire (if only it were that easy to get! you can only obtain this visa if you have PROOF you will be studying in France for this amount of time and/or have secured employement PRIOR TO DEPARTURE which will last for this amount of time, more on this later)

To find out the requirements for your specific visa, click here: http://www.consulfrance-washington.org/spip.php?rubrique98

Word of encouragement: I've been told by many the Consulate General will gleefully turn you away, demand more documentation and stall at all costs granting you you're visa or whatever else you are looking for in France. So far, the idea of the paperwork and process has always been more overwhelming than the actual execution. While I have run into many snags throughout various attempts at securing things, each time perserverence and a friendly smile has rendered me what I wanted. So don't get discouraged.

Up next: Students and studying at La Sorbonne.

If you are currently a student at a major university in the States, studying in France shouldn't really be a problem for you. Most schools already have connections with various universities in France and set up the package for you: Visas, timing, enrollment, housing, etc.

If you're not one of those lucky few and/or would like to do it on your own, all is not lost. It's a bit harder, but I like to think that much more rewarding.

If you know anything about France or have ever heard reference to schooling there, the name SORBONNE probably sounds familiar - with all its due prestige - especially to those of us from the States. Sorbonne, which once referred to the entirety of the University of Paris, now, in actuality, only refers to the gorgeous building in Paris' 5eme arrondissment. Enough with the history, if you want all the background, click here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sorbonne

If you want to study at the Sorbonne, the easiest way for foreigners is through Les Cours de Civilisation Française de la Sorbonne. Basically, classes about French culture for foreigners. About transferring college credit, you'll have to check within your own university, but that would likely not be through this department.

You can always visit the Sorbonne's official site Paris IV, but trust me, its a maze!

http://www.paris-sorbonne.fr/en/

Believe it or not, they have a site dedicated for the CCF in ENGLISH. It took me forever to find, but once I got it, I wasn't going to let it go:

http://www.ccfs-sorbonne.fr/sommaire.php3?lang=en

There you will find all the courses offered through that branch of the Sorbonne, there start and end dates, registration periods and, most importantly, a pre-registration form.

You will need to preregister in order to get a certificate stating you will be attending la Sorbonne so you can take it to your local prefecture and secure a student visa before departure. (http://hubpages.com/hub/Move_to_France).

After you have reviewed the above posting on securing your visa, there are a few additional notes on student visas I want to some up for you, since it took me a long time to figure out.

It is now required all students studying in France must first enroll themselves in "CampusFrance" in order to obtain a student visa.

You will need to obtain a proof of payment from campus france, before you can apply for a student visa. To contact campus france:

www.usa.campusfrance.org or e-mail: campusfrance@ambafrance-us.org.

The consulate also goes on to note:

This subject only concerns :

- the studies for a period of time superior to three months (including doctorate studies),

- the studies after the high-school education.

As far as I can tell, it's a way to get more money out of you, but rules are rules, I guess. So far, Campus France was the only completely not helpful organization I delt with.

You'll need your visa to register, along with these other items:

-the translation of your secondary school diploma

-a copy of your pre-registration certificate

-your visa

Note: you also must be 18 years or older

Also, if you intend to work: French law allows foreign students to work a maximum of 964 hours per year, but you will only be able to work with this visa.

The residence permit: This gets a little fuzzy. The Sorbonne site says you MUST have a residence permit for the duration of your studies in France (to be obtained from your local prefecture upon arrival in Paris).

However, the French Consulate says: from 0-6 months, as long as you have obtained the appropriate visa, you do NOT have to go to the prefecture and obtain a residence permit (carte-de-sejour) in France. If you are studying for longer than 6 months, the residence permit must be obtained upon arrival in France.

I’d go with what the consulate says, but either way, you have the appropriate documentation, if needed (visa and proof of registration in a French public or private university).