questions about long stay france, europe in general

[boxingvapours]

hello. i'm very happy to have discovered this message board, and i'm hoping that someone here can answer a question or two for me.

i am a university student in the united states and i will be graduating in june. in the fall i plan to go to france, where my girlfriend will be getting a nine-month teaching job. i have been looking into seasonal agrictultural work, but i also want to be able to travel throughout europe (and the u.k.). what kind of process do i need to go through . . . well, what am i looking for? is there some sort of long-stay visa that lasts for 6 - 9 months that will allow me to travel around and only take on seasonal work?

any help or guidance would be appreciated.

best,
mark
u.s. student