Why choose New York for a language study trip?

The city is filled with places and buildings that have shaped the history of the city and the entire country. It's impossible to mention them all here!

• Ellis Island and Liberty Island: Can one truly say they've seen New York without visiting the Statue of Liberty? Located on Liberty Island, it is internationally recognized as the symbol of the entire country and an icon of the city. Numerous ferries are available to take you to Liberty Island and Ellis Island to immerse yourself in the origins of contemporary America and its rich immigration history. The Immigration Museum is an essential place to visit: it serves as a true memory of the city, preserving and poignantly tracing the passage and arrival conditions of millions of individuals seeking American citizenship between 1892 and 1954.
• 9/11 Memorial: A moving testimony to the September 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center, as the trauma left profound marks on New Yorkers and affected the entire planet. The site occupies the former location of the Twin Towers and, through its museum, honors the memory of the thousands of victims and the heroes who sacrificed their lives to save others on that day.
• Flatiron Building: Located in Manhattan, this office building, constructed in the early 20th century, has a unique triangular shape that has made it famous. Standing at 87 meters tall, it resembles an "iron" due to the intersection of the two avenues that frame it. Both slender and imposing, it stands out amidst more traditional constructions and has been featured in countless films and series.
• Grand Central Terminal: This monumental train station is located in the heart of New York and serves as a central hub for several heavily-used subway lines. A daily passage for numerous New Yorkers, it has had its current form since 1913 and required the demolition of over a hundred buildings! Its Beaux-Arts architecture makes it a work of art in its own right, as does the ceiling of the grand hall adorned with stars at a height of 38 meters. It is simply the largest train station in the world with its 44 platforms. A city within the city, you will find restaurants, numerous shops, and can have fun identifying various locations that have been used in major films like "North by Northwest" or the Avengers series.
• Empire State Building: Standing at 102 stories with a roof height of 381 meters, the Empire State Building is an iconic skyscraper in New York. Inaugurated in 1931, it was the tallest building in the world for a long time and has been featured in countless films, including the memorable 1933 film "King Kong." With its unmistakable Art Deco architecture, it offers breathtaking views of the entire city from its public observatory on the 86th floor. It is regularly used as a landmark for major New York events such as the marathon or the 4th of July celebration, with a special lighting display on its pinnacle.

What to visit?

• The Neighborhoods: New York City is divided into five boroughs, each consisting of several neighborhoods with their own unique character. It's common to organize visits by neighborhood to immerse oneself in the distinct atmosphere of each one. One can visit Brooklyn to peacefully admire the panoramic view of Manhattan from across the river and escape the hustle and bustle of downtown by crossing the famous Brooklyn Bridge. In Manhattan, one can spend a long time in Times Square to appreciate its daytime energy with numerous shops, cinemas, and museums, and once the evening arrives, witness the dazzling lights and bustling nightlife with magnificent and internationally acclaimed shows and artistic productions. The Bronx will delight baseball fans with a visit to Yankee Stadium, as well as hip-hop culture enthusiasts or nature lovers with the New York Botanical Garden. Slightly lesser-known, Queens with its multi-ethnic history and Staten Island with its well-preserved colonial architecture are filled with treasures waiting to be discovered!
• Central Park and the High Line: In the city that never sleeps, where skyscrapers rise like trees, every green space matters. Central Park, the green lung of the city, offers a refreshing break for a leisurely stroll. Within this public park spanning over 340 hectares, you'll find exposed rock formations that bear witness to the region's geological history. It also hosts a variety of group and individual sports activities and frequently serves as a filming location for the film industry. Smaller but equally impressive, the High Line is another breath of fresh air in this densely populated city. This urban linear park stretches for over two kilometers along abandoned elevated railway tracks. Nearly 5 million visitors come to walk along it and admire the various outdoor art installations that dot the path.

Why is this destination ideal for young people?

New York is an enchanting city for young people and a dream destination for teenagers, primarily because you never get bored there. There's always something to do, and most importantly, something new. A lifetime wouldn't be enough to see and experience everything at least once. Teenagers love recognizing the settings of their favorite movies and TV shows, and young adults arrive full of hope to launch their careers and fulfill their professional dreams. The city is a magnet for entrepreneurs from around the world, not to mention artists and the most original dreamers. New York awaits its visitors with perpetual surprises and wonders. What better destination for youth seeking to fight boredom and search for hope and a future?

How to prepare for a language stay in New York?

What level of English is required for a language stay?

Whether you are a beginner or have an advanced level, you can find a suitable language stay based on your English proficiency. AILS allows you to discover the language through total immersion to optimize your progress quickly. However, you can also take advantage of our language stays to improve your English and learn to adapt to the various accents you'll hear in New York. You can choose the intensity of the courses, in addition to the type of accommodation, when organizing your stay.

What are the mandatory documents?

• A passport

US law requires all foreign nationals to present a passport that is valid for at least 6 months beyond their intended stay in the United States. You should also ensure that you have an electronic or biometric passport with an electronic chip symbolized on the cover.

• A parental authorization for minors

This document is mandatory when neither of the parents accompanies a minor child upon departure from France. Although it was abolished in 2013, this requirement was reinstated a few years later as part of the fight against terrorism, mainly to prevent minors from traveling to conflict zones.

Administrative formalities

To enjoy our language stays in New York as a minor, you will need to present a passport, a parental authorization for minors, and a photocopy of the identification document (preferably the passport) of the parent(s) who signed the authorization. The processing time for the parental authorization is on average two days, but it depends on the local authorities, so it's advisable to start the process in advance. Having a valid passport requires more planning. Depending on the time of year, there may be a high demand (such as during vacation periods). The processing times can range from three weeks for the quickest to over two months if the national printing office is highly solicited during that period!

The 5 good reasons to learn English in New York!

• For languages!

More than 800 languages are spoken there every day, and English is heard in all possible accents. It's the dream destination to learn English and practice switching between languages with other language learners who are supportive. In fact, you will frequently meet New Yorkers who are going through the same learning process and can share experiences and tips to progress even faster.

• For shopping!

As mentioned, New York is THE shopping capital. If Paris is the fashion capital, it's in New York where you'll find the most sought-after pieces at the most accessible prices. Every year, many fashionistas don't hesitate to cross the Atlantic for a quick shopping trip during the January sales...

• For food

The richness of cultures and immigration history also translates into culinary diversity. There are so many restaurants, fast-foods, cafeterias, and food trucks in New York that it's estimated to take more than 22 years to visit them all! From traditional Italian cuisine to the most avant-garde molecular gastronomy, all culinary inspirations are represented. It's both a paradise for steak and grill lovers and vegans. Many say that people walk a lot in New York not because it's difficult to park a car, but to burn off the calories from the meals...

• For cinematic dreams

Immersing yourself in the places that have captivated us in movies or multiple seasons of a TV series is a unique experience. New York is part of the collective unconsciousness in all countries. It's the first city that comes to mind when representing the United States to the rest of the world, as well as when imagining a daily life similar to that of the heroes on the big or small screen.

• For perpetual energy and surprise

Because New York is the city that never sleeps, you'll experience the unique energy that is shared by the 8 million souls living there. In this bustling city often compared to a beehive, it's fascinating to be able to combine multitude and energy with the peace and secrecy that surround many neighborhoods and hidden and unusual corners. It's an experience in its own right that you can only discover in New York.