GoAbroad
IES Abroad participants laughing
IES Abroad Nantes – French Language Immersion & Area Studies logo

IES Abroad Nantes – French Language Immersion & Area Studies

by: IES Abroad

9.56 (73)Verified

Our French Language Immersion & Area Studies Program has two important goals: to improve your written and verbal proficiency in French through language and area studies courses and to introduce you to contemporary France and its role in the European Union. A beautiful city on the Loire River, Nantes is the perfect place to perfect your French. For more than 50 years, this program has been offering...

Read More

Program Highlights

Founded in 1965, IES Abroad has established a strong partnership with the University of Nantes

Enjoy the benefits of this partnership with access to university libraries, sport and other on-campus facilities, and IES Abroad's wealth of experience

Full immersion program creates a valuable cultural, linguistic, and academic experience

Carefully selected field-trips and excursions for travel around Nantes and France available to all students

Teaching internships for education majors available

Quick Details

Locations
  • Nantes, France
Availability
Year(s) Offered2019,2020Intern Duration:
  • Fall
  • Spring
Age Requirement:Varies
Types & Subjects:
  • Education
Guidelines:
  • American
See all program details

Awards

GoAbroad Innovation Awards 2024 Winner - Student VideoPeople’s Choice Award 2023 FinalistInnovative Student Video 2023 WinnerInnovative Student Video Finalist 2022

Program Reviews

Hear what past participants have to say about the programs

Overall Rating

9.56

Total Reviews

73

Nantes: A Dream Turned Even Better Reality

by: Hannah Rees - United StatesProgram: IES Abroad Nantes – French Language Immersion & Area Studies
10

While abroad in Nantes, I experienced incredible academics, community, and exploration. In my time there, I stayed with a host family who took me in like I was a part of their own family. They invited me to events with them, supported me when I performed at our Thanksgiving Dinner hosted by IES, and generally was so kind and interested in my life. Academically, I was able to take classes at the local university where I met college students my age from France. I truly felt like part of the college student community. I also took a painting class at the Académie des Beaux Arts where I met a variety of people of a variety of ages, widening my community. And finally, I took classes with the IES Abroad students and staff. These were smaller classes where I could work on improving my French skills through a variety of subjects like history and film. Finally, the staff at IES Abroad Nantes is truly remarkable. They care so very much about their students, and are so invested in our health, safety, and success. This staff included 4 social and academic tutors our age. They helped us improve our French skills and also get involved in our Nantes community. They made us a family at IES.

Christmas Market in the Centre-ville de Nantes

Une expérience enrichissante

by: Amelia Jacobson - United StatesProgram: IES Abroad Nantes – French Language Immersion & Area Studies
10

IES Abroad Nantes truly provided me with the experience of a lifetime. Originally, I never wanted to go abroad, despite how one of my majors is in Francophone Studies. I attended multiple study abroad information sessions and turned down each one. Then, hours before the deadline to declare if you were going abroad, I told my college that I’d go. I looked through all my options, searching for a program that would be similar enough to my home in Maine. I found IES Abroad Nantes and, based on how it was near the Atlantic Ocean, thought I’d give it a try. I filled out their easy application, and IES Abroad walked me through the more complicated Visa application process. When it came down to a month before departure, they sent me plenty of information on what to do once I arrived in France. Upon arrival, IES Abroad Nantes faculty met me at the train station and made sure I made it to their centre, and then home to my host family. My host family was so wonderful and understanding of the shock that comes with experiencing a new culture and language without the support of people you know. I quickly grew very close with my host family. I ate dinner with them each night, and they left breakfast out for me in the mornings. My host mother and I drank tea by the fireplace each night before bed, then I’d watch the news with my host father. When they weren’t home, my youngest host sister and I made dinner together and chatted into the night, exchanging stories about our lives and cultures. I was even invited to my host brother’s fiançailles (engagement party), and I hadn’t even officially met him yet! That night spent in celebration with my five host siblings is one of my best memories of being abroad. As for the IES center, I took three classes there. The classes were small and consisted entirely of exchange students, yet they were all entirely in French. The small class sizes allowed me to get close to the professors, who were natively French. Additionally, there were tutors at the center who hosted events which encouraged us to immerse ourselves further into the culture of Nantes. A few examples are study sessions in local cafés, seasonal festivities happening throughout the city, weekly karaoke at a local bar, and a weekly Conversation Club that invited French university students to come chat with and then go out to dinner with our group of exchange students. On top of all this, IES Abroad Nantes provided us to go on excursions to visit other parts of France. As a group, we would leave for a weekend and IES Abroad Nantes provided us with room and board, as well as transportation and guidance. A few of the 12 places we visited in France outside of Nantes through IES Abroad were Guérande, les châteaux de la Loire Région, and Caen. I also took two classes outside of the center at the local French university, Nantes Université. My self-confidence improved immensely during this experience, as I realized I could excel in a classroom setting that was designed for native French-speakers. Because of this experience as a whole, my fluency in French skyrocketed. Not only that, but I also now have connections with people in France, as well as some exchange students from Lithuania and Germany. I also have a new knowledge of and love for a city I would not have discovered otherwise. I hope to return soon to my second-home and reunite with my host family and friends.

Rainbow welcoming me back to my second-home after fall break.

Life-Changing Experience

by: Sophia Barton - United StatesProgram: IES Abroad Nantes – French Language Immersion & Area Studies
10

Studying abroad in Nantes with IES Abroad was an incredible and transformative experience that I will cherish for a lifetime. From the moment I arrived in this charming French city to the day I left, IES Abroad ensured that every aspect of my study abroad journey was not only enjoyable but also enriching. Academic Excellence (5/5): The academic program at IES Abroad in Nantes was top-notch. The courses were thoughtfully designed to integrate French language and culture, allowing us to immerse ourselves in both the language and the local way of life. The professors were not only experts in their fields but also passionate about helping us succeed. I felt challenged academically, which was exactly what I was hoping for in a study abroad program. Cultural Immersion (5/5): Living with a host family was one of the highlights of my experience. It provided me with a unique opportunity to engage with locals, practice my French, and gain insights into French culture that I wouldn't have had otherwise. IES Abroad also organized cultural excursions and activities that allowed us to explore Nantes and other regions of France. These experiences helped me develop a deep appreciation for French culture and history. Supportive Staff (5/5): The IES Abroad staff in Nantes were exceptionally supportive throughout the program. From helping us with paperwork and logistics to offering guidance on adjusting to life in a new country, they were always there when we needed them. Their dedication to our well-being and success made us feel like we were part of a close-knit community. Safe and Inclusive Environment (5/5): I always felt safe and welcome in Nantes. The city is known for its friendly residents and overall safety, and IES Abroad took additional measures to ensure our security. The program also fostered inclusivity, embracing students from diverse backgrounds and creating an environment where everyone felt valued and respected. Life-changing Experience (5/5): My time in Nantes with IES Abroad was truly life-changing. I not only improved my language skills but also gained a global perspective, developed lifelong friendships with both locals and fellow students, and grew personally in ways I couldn't have imagined. The memories and lessons from this experience will stay with me forever. In conclusion, studying abroad in Nantes with IES Abroad was a dream come true. I highly recommend this program to anyone looking to explore France, learn the language, and embark on a journey of self-discovery. It's an experience that will not only enrich your academic and cultural knowledge but also shape you as a person. Thank you, IES Abroad, for making my study abroad adventure in Nantes unforgettable!

Program Details

Learn all the nitty gritty details you need to know

Locations

  • Nantes, France

Types and Subjects

  • Subjects & Courses
  • Art History
  • Economics
  • French

Availability

Years Offered: 2019,2020

Intern Duration:
  • Fall
  • Spring

Age Requirement

Age Requirement Varies

Guidelines

  • American

Program Cost Includes

  • Accommodation / Housing for Program Duration
  • Some Accommodation
  • Tuition & Fees

Accommodation Options

  • Home-stays

Qualifications & Experience

      Accepted Education Levels

    • Any/All Education Levels Accepted

    Application Procedures

    • Transcript
    • Online Application

    Interviews

    Read interviews from alumni or staff

    Erin Sandberg

    Participated in 2006

    Alumni

    I had been taking French since 3rd grade, and wanted to finally put it to use. My mom also studied abroad in college, so it was something she strongly encouraged me to do as well.

    Show Full Interview

    Abraham De La Rosa

    Participated in 2009

    Alumni

    The main reason why I decided to go abroad was to further develop my French. Paris is the capital and with so much tourism, I knew that if I was to live in Paris a lot of people would be speaking English around me. I was looking for a city and a program in which I could completely immerse myself in the French language and culture. Nantes seemed like the best option. It’s a nice medium size city, but still felt charming like a town. There are not that many foreigners in the city and it’s two and a half hours away from Paris.

    Show Full Interview

    Audrey Leigh Thimm

    Participated in 2014

    Alumni

    I wanted to become conversational in French through an immersion program that would allow me to learn about the language and culture first hand.

    Show Full Interview

    Related Programs

    Browse programs you might like