Study Abroad in French
From Paris to Dakar.
French isn’t just a language — it’s a passport to some of the world’s most distinctive academic and cultural environments. SUA’s programs place you in cities that will challenge and inspire you, whether you’re just finding your footing in the language or ready to engage at an advanced level through independent research or an internship.
French
Seven programs, two countries, a wide range of intensities and academic focuses. Choose based on your language level, where you want to study, and whether you’re planning to do an internship or volunteer work.
Aix-en-Provence, France
Host institution: CEA CAPA
Requirements: 2.5 GPA
Housing: Apartment or homestay with a French family (homestay recommended)
Duration: Early September to mid-December, or early January to late April
Best suited for lower-level French learners, this program offers four levels of language and elective courses. Aix-en-Provence is a historic university town known for summer opera and jazz festivals, and as the birthplace of Paul Cézanne.
Grenoble, France
Host institution: Stendhal University via CEA CAPA
Requirements: 2.5 GPA
Housing: Apartment or homestay with a French family (homestay recommended)
Duration: Early September to mid-December, or mid-January to late May
Students in this program enjoy small classes of 10–16 in one of two possible academic tracks: Language & Culture or Intensive Language. One of France's major science and technology research hubs, Grenoble sits at the foot of the French Alps, with access to more than 20 ski resorts.
Montpellier, France
Host institution: Université Paul Valéry / Université Montpellier via the University of Minnesota’s Learning Abroad Center
Requirements: 2.5 GPA and 4 semesters of college-level French
Housing: Studio, shared apartment, or homestay with French family (homestay recommended)
Duration: Early September to mid-December, or mid-January to mid-May
Montpellier is a lively city known for its social tolerance, centuries-old history, and a large population of students — nearly a quarter of the city’s residents. Advanced students can pursue professional internships; intermediate students have community volunteer placements.
Paris, France
Host institution: Catholic University of Paris via Worldstrides
Requirements: 2.5 GPA
Housing: apartment or homestay with a French family | Duration: mid-September to late December, or early February to late May
This French language and liberal arts program focuses on topics in literature, theater, and art history. Home of cultural landmarks like the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame Cathedral and major art museums like the Louvre and Musée d’Orsay, Paris is a hub of creativity and an ideal starting point for exploring France.
Rennes, France
Host institution: Centre International Rennais d’Étude de Français pour Étrangers and the Université de Haute-Bretagne Rennes II via CIEE
Requirements: 2.5 GPA with 3.0 in French courses, 4 semesters of college-level French
Housing: Homestay with the French family
Duration: Late August to late December, or late January to late May
Recommended for intermediate to advanced students, this program enables you to take 3-5 content courses alongside French students. Rennes is the capital of Brittany, known for its many arts and culture festivals and the medieval, half-timbered houses in the city center.
Strasbourg, France
Host institution: University of Strasbourg via Accés
Requirements: 2.5 GPA
Housing: Homestay with a French family
Duration: September to mid-December, or mid-January to late May
Best suited for students who want to complete an internship abroad, this program offers a lighter language load and the opportunity to participate in cultural activities like French cooking, grape harvesting, and Alsatian folk dancing. Strasbourg sits on the Franco-German border, and its historic city center is aUNESCO World Heritage site.
Dakar, Senegal
Host institution: The West African Research Center via the University of Minnesota’s Learning Abroad Center
Requirements: 2.5 GPA and 4 semesters of college-level French
Housing: Homestay with a Senegalese family
Duration: Early September to mid-December, or mid-January to mid-May
Sitting on a peninsula at the western-most point of mainland Africa, Dakar is home to centuries of history, a vibrant street art scene, and the energetic rhythms of mbalax music. This program focuses on international development and includes a 6-week internship or independent research project. Students visit development agencies in the greater Dakar area, and an excursion to the Toubakouta region introduces students to life in a more rural region of Senegal.
French
Seven programs, two countries, a wide range of intensities and academic focuses. Choose based on your language level, where you want to study, and whether you’re planning to do an internship or volunteer work.
Aix-en-Provence, France
Host institution: CEA CAPA
Requirements: 2.5 GPA
Housing: Apartment or homestay with a French family (homestay recommended)
Duration: Early September to mid-December, or early January to late April
Best suited for lower-level French learners, this program offers four levels of language and elective courses. Aix-en-Provence is a historic university town known for summer opera and jazz festivals, and as the birthplace of Paul Cézanne.
Grenoble, France
Host institution: Stendhal University via CEA CAPA
Requirements: 2.5 GPA
Housing: Apartment or homestay with a French family (homestay recommended)
Duration: Early September to mid-December, or mid-January to late May
Students in this program enjoy small classes of 10–16 in one of two possible academic tracks: Language & Culture or Intensive Language. One of France's major science and technology research hubs, Grenoble sits at the foot of the French Alps, with access to more than 20 ski resorts.
Montpellier, France
Host institution: Université Paul Valéry / Université Montpellier via the University of Minnesota’s Learning Abroad Center
Requirements: 2.5 GPA and 4 semesters of college-level French
Housing: Studio, shared apartment, or homestay with French family (homestay recommended)
Duration: Early September to mid-December, or mid-January to mid-May
Montpellier is a lively city known for its social tolerance, centuries-old history, and a large population of students — nearly a quarter of the city’s residents. Advanced students can pursue professional internships; intermediate students have community volunteer placements.
Paris, France
Host institution: Catholic University of Paris via Worldstrides
Requirements: 2.5 GPA
Housing: apartment or homestay with a French family | Duration: mid-September to late December, or early February to late May
This French language and liberal arts program focuses on topics in literature, theater, and art history. Home of cultural landmarks like the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame Cathedral and major art museums like the Louvre and Musée d’Orsay, Paris is a hub of creativity and an ideal starting point for exploring France.
Rennes, France
Host institution: Centre International Rennais d’Étude de Français pour Étrangers and the Université de Haute-Bretagne Rennes II via CIEE
Requirements: 2.5 GPA with 3.0 in French courses, 4 semesters of college-level French
Housing: Homestay with the French family
Duration: Late August to late December, or late January to late May
Recommended for intermediate to advanced students, this program enables you to take 3-5 content courses alongside French students. Rennes is the capital of Brittany, known for its many arts and culture festivals and the medieval, half-timbered houses in the city center.
Strasbourg, France
Host institution: University of Strasbourg via Accés
Requirements: 2.5 GPA
Housing: Homestay with a French family
Duration: September to mid-December, or mid-January to late May
Best suited for students who want to complete an internship abroad, this program offers a lighter language load and the opportunity to participate in cultural activities like French cooking, grape harvesting, and Alsatian folk dancing. Strasbourg sits on the Franco-German border, and its historic city center is aUNESCO World Heritage site.
Dakar, Senegal
Host institution: The West African Research Center via the University of Minnesota’s Learning Abroad Center
Requirements: 2.5 GPA and 4 semesters of college-level French
Housing: Homestay with a Senegalese family
Duration: Early September to mid-December, or mid-January to mid-May
Sitting on a peninsula at the western-most point of mainland Africa, Dakar is home to centuries of history, a vibrant street art scene, and the energetic rhythms of mbalax music. This program focuses on international development and includes a 6-week internship or independent research project. Students visit development agencies in the greater Dakar area, and an excursion to the Toubakouta region introduces students to life in a more rural region of Senegal.
My Study Abroad Experience
“After all, I did fall in love with France, but I also fell in love with other countries and cultures, including my own.”
