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Programs : Brochure

This page is the brochure for your selected program. You can view the provided information for this program on this page and click on the available buttons for additional options.
  • Location: Montpellier, France
  • Program Terms: Academic Year, Fall, Spring
  • Homepage: Click to visit
  • Program Sponsor: UM Learning Abroad Center 
  • Dates / Deadlines
Fact Sheet:
Fact Sheet:
Class Status Eligibility: 1 - First Year, 2 - Sophomore, 3 - Junior, 4 - Senior Language of Instruction: French
Housing Options: Apartment, Host Family
Program Description:

Language & Culture in France

Integrate into French culture in Montpellier, a vibrant city located just miles from the Mediterranean. Hone your French language skills and take classes in a variety of subjects. Enjoy the city’s college-town atmosphere, medieval and contemporary architecture, and sunny climate. 

Academics

Based at Paul Valéry University and at the University of Montpellier, this program provides access to humanities, engineering, sciences, and business courses through an extremely flexible course structure. Choose from a mix of special courses for study abroad students and regular courses with French students.

  • Program type:
    • Based at Paul Valéry University and at the University of Montpellier.
  • Level:
    • 1,000–3,000 level.
  • Term:
    • Fall semester, spring semester, academic year, and summer session.
  • Prerequisites:
    • 2.5 GPA (2.75 for Integrated Option)
    • B average in French (semester programs)
    • Freshmen and above
  • Courseload:
    • 15-18 credits per semester; 3-10 credits for summer.
    • Choose from the following options:
    1. Language & Culture Option (semester/academic year; 2+ semesters of college-level French proficiency)
    2. Integrated Studies Option (semester/academic year; 4+ semesters of college-level French proficiency)
    3. Intensive French Summer Session (summer; 0+ semesters of college-level French proficiency)
    4. Advanced French Summer Session (summer; 4+ semesters of college-level French proficiency)
  • Internships:
    • ?Internships for academic credit are available for Integrated Studies students with at least four semesters of French. 

Faculty

Françoise Defrecheux-Chaton is the on-site director. She and her staff provide housing arrangements, an in-country orientation, academic advising, and on-going support during the program. She has coordinated this program for many years and has taught at US and French institutions.

How to Apply

Click the button below to visit this program's web page for more information about the application process for this program.

About This Program

Live and study in Montpellier, one of France's fastest growing cities and an emerging cultural and educational center. Within easy reach of both mountains and the Mediterranean, and home to 100,000 university students, Montpellier is a young, vibrant city with a centuries-old history of intellectual advances and social tolerance. It is the ideal place for an introduction to French language and culture.

Three photos from previous trips
Live with a French host family, in a shared apartment, in an efficiency apartment, or in the University dormitory, depending on your preferred level of independence.

Multiple day-long excursions are included each term to introduce you to the unique character of southern France. In addition, the program’s social and administrative assistants organize activities to familiarize you with the city and provide you with opportunities to meet French students. Optional longer excursions at an extra cost are also organized by the program. These include excursions to Normandy, the Loire Valley, and Morocco.

About Learning Abroad Center

The Learning Abroad Center in the Global Programs and Strategy Alliance is the University of Minnesota's comprehensive resource for study, service-learning, work, intern, volunteer, and travel experiences worldwide.

The Learning Abroad Center is a leader in providing innovative international learning experiences that expand and redefine the world for a diverse population of students, colleagues, and staff. The Learning Abroad Center staff and University of Minnesota faculty and staff participate in numerous leadership opportunities and serve on the advisory boards of organizations who provide and/or support education abroad programs. Through collaboration and individual attention, the Learning Abroad Center continues to promote empowerment, development, understanding, and responsibility in the global community.

A variety of program options--300 programs in over 80 countries--have been developed to address the diverse needs of students. Programs vary in length, level, academic focus, teaching format, language requirements, cost, and degree of independence demanded of the participant.




Program Details


Eligibility: 7.5 cumulative GPA; completion of FREN 44 or the equivalent required; one French course at the 100 or higher level strongly recommended.

Reviewed by: Professor Nathalie Rachlin

Advising Notes: After completing the Scripps application and approval process, students will complete the UMN application. This program requires one faculty reference from a college French instructor. There is a $50 application fee to be paid by the student.

Visa Information: The University of Minnesota Learning Abroad Center (LAC) will assist students with the visa process for the time in France. Non US Passport holders may have different visa procedures. Detailed visa instructions are available here. The most important thing to remember about visas is to plan early and be attentive to the time required for completion of the process. Delaying any of the steps in the process may prevent you from obtaining a visa in time for your program.

Budget Planning: For budget planning purposes, click here to view the current cost of living comparison between Montpellier and Los Angeles. 

Dates / Deadlines:
Dates / Deadlines:
Term Year App Deadline Decision Date Start Date End Date
Spring 2025 05/01/2024 07/15/2024 TBA TBA