Programs

France: French Language & Culture

Eiffel Tower or Tour Eiffel aerial view, is a wrought iron lattice tower on the Champ de Mars in Paris, France

WHY STUDY LANGUAGE IN FRANCE?

Embark on a creative journey through French language, culture, and art. Visit the “City of Light” and experience art galleries and museums in Paris during your orientation. Develop your photography skills and art appreciation through workshops and projects with formal direction from professional photographers and local artists. Learn about photo composition and explore French life through the camera lens, and practice your darkroom skills by developing and sizing photos and creating your own photogram.

During your homestay, you will have continual opportunities to enhance your French language skills and knowledge of French culture. Take classes with a local teacher while immersing yourself in la vie quotidienne, or daily life, of a French family. Delight in the regional food and discover some of the places, activities and landscapes that make up the region’s identity. After your homestay, get the opportunity to explore a new area including a visit to Nantes, a city which keeps reinventing itself, renowned for its vitality, culture and also named European Green Capital in 2013.

You will rendezvous in Rouen, located along the River Seine, to reflect on your journey and capture some final snapshots.

At the conclusion of this program, participants will earn a language certificate noting the number of hours of language classes completed.

Notice: The 2024 Olympics are being held in Paris, therefore be aware that there may be limited and restricted entry to major tourist attractions and monuments due to safety and security and the high volume of visitors.

LEARN BY DOING

The Experiment’s programs are designed to build skills that will help you succeed. In France, you will learn:

TECHNICAL SKILLS

  • French language
  • Photography

INTERPERSONAL SKILLS

  • Time management
  • Intercultural communication
  • Problem-solving
  • Adaptability
  • Relationship-building

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

  • Temperatures and humidity can be high in France during the summer.
  • Students will explore urban life on foot (lots of walking!) and learn to navigate the public transit system.
  • Homestay communities are located in rural areas to learn about French daily life outside of tourist locales.  
  • While French cuisine is centered on meat and cheese, vegetarians and vegans can find alternatives.
  • Access to the internet is limited and internet speeds and connectivity vary.
  • The diverse personal and social identities of participants may, in part, shape their experience abroad. In-country partners will discuss cultural norms and the local context during orientation. Please read our approach to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for further information. All students will have a safe space within the program spaces and with the local staff and group leaders.
  • The Experiment program structure is rooted in experiential learning and cohort-based learning. The participant group experience is a major source of learning for Experimenters and is facilitated by trained Experiment group leaders.