Loftywinds said..
Any reputable kite shop are more than happy to give you lessons over a week, or two even. Just a matter of good conditions and your ability to fork out the $$$ dosh. Don't go overseas for lessons, especially France or Indo. We have some of the best if not the best instructors in the world.
Most instructors in Oz are backpackers with IKO certs. Most of them travel the world so I don't see what sort of differences you would get by going overseas....
You can get IKO certification after a one week course followed by a few hours of shadowing. Only requirements are to be able to ride, turn and do a simple jump both ways. In France, you have to do a 10 month full time course so can you explain why lessons would be good in France?
I have worked for 3 schools in Australia and I can tell you that 2 of them were absolutely shocking. In short it comes down to values. Some schools actually care about their students but most of them just see the$$$$.
Nothing wrong with going overseas as long as you do your homework and make sure that they will teach you to be independent on the water (self rescue, body drag upwind, etc....).