Description

You will spend a semester studying French language, culture, civilization, and social issues at Université Paul Valéry (Université Montpellier III) and at the Institut Méditerranéen de Langues/Services (IMLS). The IEFE/ University Montpellier III has been awarded the quality label by the French Ministry of Education and the University of Montpellier has been selected as one of the top ten poles of excellence in France. Courses are taught in French at five different levels, from lower-intermediate to advanced.

In addition to your studies, you live with a French family, serve 1012 hours per week in a local agency, and explore the region through excursions. Your volunteer service immerses you in the culture and deepens your understanding of French society in a way that goes beyond that experienced in traditional study abroad programs. It also facilitates your mastery of French.

Service opportunities include:
- English tutoring
- work at a food bank
- work with immigrants
- work at a retirement home
- work at a rehabilitation center
- work at Pharmacie Humanitiare Internationale (agency distributing medicines to those in need).

Highlights

Montpellier, a 1,000 year-old city located in temperate southern France close to the Mediterranean has long been a crossroads for European, Mediterranean and North African culture and civilizations. Nearby are Neolithic sites, Roman settlements, walled medieval towns, the beaches of the Mediterranean, and the ecological and wildlife treasure known as the Camargue.

The university city of Montpellier has an historic inner medieval center, modern businesses and shopping, and a typical central plaza with theatres and sidewalk cafes where much of the life of the city takes place. It is an artistic and cultural center, and plays an important role as an industrial and technological focus within the European Community. Excursions and guided tours may include the Roman city of Arles, the Gellone Abby, the Aommieres market and le Pont du Gard.

Degree Level

Bachelors Degree (Undergraduate)

Qualifications

IPSL welcomes applicants from all nations and backgrounds. Language requirements for selected programs. Minimum age is 18. Gap year students, college students and graduates are encouraged to apply.

Languages

• French

Subject Areas

Cost in US$:

please see the IPSL website

Cost Includes:

• Excursions
• Food
• Housing
• In-country orientation/Training
• In-country staff support
• Language instruction
• Medical insurance
• Pre-departure orientation/Training
• Written materials pre-departure

Program Fees Include:

Fees include all instruction including associated field trips, housing and most meals; service placement and supervision;health insurance; administrative fees and pre-departure materials. Personal expenses include airfare, books, lunches during the week, local transportation and spending money.

Credit Available

yes

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

Typical Volunteer

IPSL participants are typically undergraduate students who want to study and volunteer abroad. They generally take 3-4 academic courses (17 credits) and do community service (12-15 hours per week). Participants want an integrated experience where learning and service work together.

This Program is open to

Worldwide Participants.

Typical Living Arrangements

• Home-stays

Participants Travel

Independently

Typically Participants Work

Independently

Scholarships are Available

There are numerous independent study abroad scholarships available.

Application Process Involves

• Letters of Reference
• Transcript
• Online Application plus Application Assessment

Typically The Application Process Time is

1 week

Post Services Include

• Alumni Network
• Exit Debriefing Abroad

International Partnership for Service-Learning and Leadership's Mission Statement

IPSL has two related missions: 1) offering programs uniting academic study and volunteer service to the community in international/intercultural settings that are models for the practice of service-learning, and 2) promoting the theory and practice of service-learning through research, publications, conferences, and training. IPSL endeavors to engage students, educators, and community members in the union of service and learning so that all may become more civically engaged, interculturally literate, internationally aware, and responsive to the needs of others.

Year Founded

1982