French Study Abroad Programs in France

Deciding to study abroad in Lille with WorldStrides was the best decision of my life. The trip to Paris before going to Lille was amazing. The accommodations were nice and the classes were even better. I met the most amazing people who I'm still friends with, I had amazing food, trips and adventures. I would do it all over again and pick WorldStrides for another study abroad too!

Spending five months in Paris was one of the most influential experiences I've had---Paris being the first time I have ever lived in a big city really set the bar high. I lived with a host family in the 13th arrondissement where I felt incredibly at home (with the whole city accessible through just a few metro lines) and had the opportunity to fully immerse myself in different cultures. Being able to take courses at a French institution really opened my eyes to a different country's education system, and allowed me to learn a lot while also making local friendships. Middlebury's program itself is really amazing. Having to live, study, and form relationships in a foreign language is not necessarily easy, but Midd provided tools and support needed to ensure our success. The connections that I've built, both to people and to Paris, are immeasurable.

I recently just returned from Paris where I spent the best 4 months of my life all thanks to WorldStrides!! I met so many amazing people, learned so much about the business world, and was able to travel all around the world!!

I loved my experience in Pau! I had no idea that spending 5 weeks there would alter my life forever. It opened my eyes to how different French culture is in comparison to American culture. When I was little, I idolized my mother because she was my version of the American dream. I wanted to be just as hardworking as her. Now as a college student majoring in biochemistry and minoring in French, I am expected to be ambitious. Whereas my performance looks great on resumes, I often get obsessed with the future. However, when I was in Pau I realized how the locals prioritized living instead of performing. Life is much slower there. People don't often hurry to their next location, adults enjoy parks on weekdays instead of just weekends, and folks seem to appreciate silence instead of distracting themselves with media all the time. Not only did I start adopting some of these habits, but learning a new language encouraged me to think about each word I said. I had to slow down and savor everything I was doing. It was the most present I have ever been and arguably the most I've truly lived in my life. The locals are extremely friendly and will help you learn French. The education at the University of Pau was phenomenal. I felt like being immersed in French and having professors that are willing to work with you was a game changer. I highly recommend this experience even if you don't intend on learning French. Exposing yourself to a new culture may encourage you to reflect on your own lifestyle choices.

I had an amazing time studying abroad with Middlebury in Paris. I decided to live with a host family, and my host mother was sweet, accomodating, and helped me improve my French a lot. I lived in Paris's 13th arrondisement, in Chinatown, and the experience of living in a part of the city I might have not thought to visit if I wasn't living there was super interesting. I loved finding hidden gems around my neighborhood and the city as a whole.Taking classes at Middlebury with the other American students was a helpful anchor to my experience as I navigated a lot of new experiences -- taking classes in my second language at a local university, traveling solo for the first time, and more.

Living in Paris was an expansive experience. It challenged me in a lot of ways, and helped me grow because of it. Paris is such a beautiful city, with spectacles and beautiful architecture and people and a moving, dynamic current. There's always something to do, someone to see. It’s city to get lost in and find yourself again. It’s a city designed for people, for connection, for community. If I could, I'd do it all over again. The Middlebury Program is a great way to immerse yourself. With a host family, and a balance of local and program-led classes, and a lot of independence, you are sure to find yourself getting to know a great city. I found the language support really helpful, and I was able to meet a bunch of people, either local or through the program or through different study abroad schools. I’m really grateful for the opportunity it gave me.

In Pau, I had an incredible experience learning French in an international classroom, where the only shared language between all my peers and I was French. It pushed me out of my comfort zone to speak French every single day and learn new vocabulary and grammar skills. On top of that, I stayed with a wonderful host mom in the center of the historic district of Pau, literally a 3 minute walk from a medieval castle. This made it easy to explore the city and connect with local restaurants, businesses, and festivals.

There was a big group trip I got taken on with people who came abroad with me from other universities in the United States. It was the Paris trip and it was something I’ve been dreaming about since I was little. I got to see the Effile tower for the first time and it was an amazing experience. I almost cried.

I always wanted to go back to France and truly understand the meaning of life in another country. The only time traveling to France is to visit family on my mother’s side. So being able to visit the country on my own, in a part of France I have never visited, was an eye opening experience. Living by myself encouraged me to learn how to cook many different platters that I wouldn’t normally have, and pushed me to go out and explore the city. I had great support from the AIFS and CUEF team. Miranda Rea was amazing and helped me through some difficult times. She was encouraging and supportive and without her I believe I’d have a difficult time crossing the finish line. Class was difficult yet fun. I’ve learned so many different grammar rules and learned that even though you make some mistakes, “just know everyone makes mistakes in French. Even the French!”, Professor Kristof would say that to me when I’d make a common mistake that most francophone people do. However, I did catch on pretty quickly since I’m bilingual in French and English. In all, I had a wonderful experience and would recommend this organization to whoever is looking for an exciting learning experience in a different country!

I thoroughly enjoyed my semester abroad in Pau. It is a beautiful city in a beautiful country. For the most part, my professors were very friendly and I feel like my French skills improved greatly. I enjoyed the walkability of the city and campus, and would love to visit again in the future. The USAC staff was supportive and I felt like I could go to them with any issues.

I had a really good experience with Forum-Nexus overall. The program gave me the chance to travel a lot, meet great people, and learn more about different countries in a way that felt interesting and personal. I liked that the staff was friendly and helpful, and the hotels were some of the best I’ve stayed in. Some visits were better than others, but the overall balance of academics, free time, and cultural experiences made the program worth it. I’d recommend it to other students, especially if they want to make friends and grow through travel.

This summer abroad program was one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve had as an undergraduate.” “It was thoughtfully organized, with a great balance of academics, cultural exploration, professional visits, and enough independence to grow on my own.” “The instructors were engaging, knowledgeable, and encouraged real discussion, which made classes feel useful beyond the classroom.” “I especially liked being able to connect what we learned to our travels.” “The staff was welcoming and supportive throughout, and I’d absolutely recommend the program to other students.

I loved every minute of travelling and exploring the city of Paris, the program was really fun and I learned quite a bit. My professor was great and the locations we went to were awesome. Go abroad! It's worth it.

Choosing to spend a semester abroad was one of the best decisions of my life! It can seem daunting and scary sometimes, but it's so worth it! AIFS is unique in that it incorporates travel opportunities and excursions during the semester, which truly immerses you in the culture and helps you to feel more comfortable with traveling abroad. I really enjoyed my French language course, and my French skills increased exponentially. I felt like I was able to easily balance my classes and exploring, and my roommates and I traveled almost every weekend. Cannes is a fantastic location because of its stunning views and proximity to the airport. Our program director was incredibly helpful, knowledgable about the area, and always prioritized us having a positive abroad experience. I made lifelong friends and met so many people from across the globe. I learned so much about myself and different cultures, and my outlook on life changed for the better. If you have the opportunity to study abroad, 100% do it!

Studying abroad with USAC in Lyon was hands down the best experience. The program was laid-back but organized, the USAC team is great, and Lyon is such a fun, easy city to live in. I’d do it again in a heartbeat.

In the spring of 2025 I was given the opportunity to study abroad in Lyon, France. Lyon wasn’t just a place I studied—it was a place that rewired me. Coming from Zambia to the USA and then the USA to France, I thought I was prepared for culture shock. I wasn’t. The language humbled me, the pace of life slowed me down, and the people forced me to actually "observe" instead of rush. Lyon taught me how to sit with myself. Long walks by the Rhône, quiet cafés where nobody cared who I was or where I came from or judge, everyone is super friendly and helpful. They also appreciate when I try to speak French and will often help me if my grammar is wrong or I forget a phrase. The freedom was uncomfortable at first, then addictive. I learned more outside the classroom than inside it. I learned confidence by being misunderstood and still speaking. I learned independence by figuring things out alone, including traveling to different countries alone. I learned how different the world feels when you’re the outsider—and how powerful it is when you stop trying to fit in and just exist. France challenged my views on relationships, ambition, and identity. It made me question what success actually looks like when nobody around you shares your background. Every time I am asked if I would recommend this program to someone else, a million times, YES!

This program was really incredible for improving my language skills! Many people spoke English, so it was easy to struggle in my second language along with the people I was speaking with. There was very little pressure and often times people would help me or give me to space to express myself. The classes were also very helpful with us starting class by sharing what slang we learned! I chose Lyon for the academics and even though that was my priority I fell in love with the city. Lyon is a large city but has a smaller city feel. There was so much to explore but it didn't feel too overwhelming. As Lyon was very influential city for the French resistance during WWII, there is a lot of history embedded into the city. There were so many opportunities to meet people in and outside of the university and program. I was able to engage with French language and culture as well as engage with the immigrant communities! The onsite staff were also incredible and helped me through many situations!

APA Paris is a wonderful program. I felt supported and challenged in all the right ways. From start to finish, I was surrounded by some of the kindest and most patient program coordinators who helped me seamlessly navigate life in a foreign country. The academics offered by the program are engaging and well-tailored to multiple levels in French, and the cultural events and excursions were some of my fondest memories here in Paris. The group of students the program attracted were some of the loveliest people to have spent a semester in Paris with, and the program did an excellent job facilitating a welcoming environment for us to bond. While I felt fully independent and immersed in French culture, the APA office was always there, offering support and a strong community. I could not have asked for a better study abroad experience. Merci APA!

I had an amazing time with APA! The program is run by a kind, considerate and detail-oriented program that emphasizes cultural immersion. We had multiple cultural events that were included with the program including concerts, tastings, as well as overnight stays in French regions. I also opted to stay in a homestay which was a wonderful experience; I really clicked with my host mom and lived in a beautiful Parisian apartment. My French has improved greatly thanks to tutoring and language offerings and I fell in love with Paris. I highly recommend APA to anyone wanting to study abroad in Paris!

I loved my semester with APA. My French has improved tremendously! The teachers, advisor, and administrative support is amazing. I loved that we had the opportunity to take classes with multiple universities based on our interests and the courses at APA are also very well taught. The cultural program is unlike any other, and it gave me a great opportunity to have experiences I never would have had otherwise! I highly recommend this programme!