Summer French Study Abroad Programs in France

My study abroad was the greatest time of my life. I met countless friends from the United States and all over the world. I have friends that I am actively planning trips to see again in Paris and am coordinating trips in America for my American friends abroad. Within 3 weeks of my return I went from Ohio to Idaho to see a good friend I had met just months earlier. Every night was an adventure. My French is very good. I would love to go back but also inspire others to take that step in their journey.

I studied abroad during session two in Pau, and that was a great decision. One month was the perfect amount of time, and the chosen excursions with the rest of the USAC group were so fun, but just gorgeous and unreal. I especially liked session two because instead of just taking classes with other American students, we took classes with other international students, from China, Scotland, Ukraine, Spain, England, Russia, Ireland, etc. We made some great new friends all over the world, and the overall program that encompassed USAC and the International Students' studies had their own included excursions that gave us a different taste of Pau and the region.

Got to learn from industry professionals and be pushed out of my comfort zone when it comes to fashion design. They helped me secure internships during Paris Fashion Week and got us collaborations with clothing design companies.

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!

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.

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 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.

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!

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.

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.

I believe if any student can participate in this program, they should take real advantage of it. They offer a lot of subjects, Economics, Art, Business, Culture, Design, Sociology, History, Political Science. The knowledge one gain is massive and in a lot of disciplines. I am really happy to participate the connections i made is totally worth it. Forum Nexus staff are very knowledgeable, they know what they are doing. not to mention that they are easily approachable and always prepared for any problems could occur.

My time with Forum-Nexus was fast-paced, exciting, and educational. It was the perfect mix of classes, studying, sight-seeing, socializing, and learning first-hand. I learned a lot from the International IQ class and it prepared me to visit each city on the itinerary. My hospitality internship allowed to me communicate and network with the international hotels and restaurants we stayed at and visited. Forum-Nexus allowed me to step-up and take advantage of being abroad.

My time in Lyon, France was the best 5 months of my life. The USAC program was designed in such a great way, to help promote cultural immersion and provide ample support for students. The staff was incredibly warm and welcoming, and I developed great relationships with the program directors by the time I left. The city was a perfect size, not too big to the point it was crowded, but not too small, because there was always something new to see or do. The food and restaurants were outstanding, and prices were very reasonable (easy to find a meal for anywhere from $10-$15). I got to volunteer with French elementary students, participate in a language exchange program with other French university students, and go on many organized trips around France to learn more about the country. I would move back in a heartbeat!