Lyon, France: Intensive French, Undergrad Studies in English

While there is no place like home, there's a piece I left with me in Lyon, France, because of the wonderful experience I had. I was really unsure on what 5 weeks could bring, but it brought friendships, adventures, and a great love for the city. The courses I took immersed me in the city greatly, being able to learn more of the language, architecture, and being able to explore all beautiful parts of it.

Studying abroad in Lyon, France during July 2025 was one of the most rewarding experiences of my academic journey. From the moment I arrived, I felt immersed in a city that perfectly balances history, culture, and modern life. Lyon is incredibly walkable, beautiful, and full of character, which made it easy to feel at home while still constantly discovering something new. One of the biggest strengths of the program was the small class sizes. This allowed for more personalized attention from professors and created a supportive learning environment where I felt comfortable participating and asking questions. Academically, the program challenged me while still being engaging and enjoyable. Cultural immersion was a major highlight. Living in Lyon meant experiencing French culture firsthand—whether that was shopping at local markets, enjoying long café conversations, or navigating daily life entirely in French. Being surrounded by the language helped me improve my French at a much higher level than I ever could in a traditional classroom setting back home. By the end of the program, I felt more confident speaking, listening, and understanding the language in real-world situations. Travel was another unforgettable part of the experience. Lyon’s central location made it easy to explore other parts of France and nearby countries, adding even more depth to the summer. Overall, this study abroad experience helped me grow academically, culturally, and personally, and I would highly recommend Lyon to any student looking for an enriching and immersive program.

I had the opportunity to fulfill one of my life long dreams and the results were even better than I imagined. I met so many amazing and wonderful people from all over the world. The USAC staff onsite were very welcoming, friendly, and truly cared for each and every one of us. The program was laid out perfectly, with field trips being sprinkled across the semester. My favorite USAC field trip was snowshoeing in La Clusaz as the views were absolutely stunning- I have never seen anything like this being from the midwest. Lyon itself was a really engaging city, I felt like there were always events and places to go to. There were so many hidden gems throughout the city and it felt like an adventure uncovering them. The courses at UCLY were perfect and all the professors were very understanding and enjoyed answering your questions or working one on one with you. Overall, being in Lyon was an amazing opportunity and I am so grateful that I got to call that city home.